Chapel of Our Lady of Siluva, Basilica of the National Shrine of the Immaculate Conception (photo by Damon Green)Most of the holiday concerts already written about in our Yuletide roundup are not repeated here. Here are a few options for sleigh bell-free concerts this week, plus some picks for the best holiday-themed programs.
>> The Waverly Consort presents its critically acclaimed program of medieval and Renaissance music, The Christmas Story, at the Kennedy Center Terrace Theater (December 16, 7:30 p.m.).
>> For this year’s performances of Handel’s Messiah, guest conductor Rossen Milanov will lead the National Symphony Orchestra and the Washington Chorus in the infamous large orchestration by Eugène Goossens, made famous fifty years ago this year in a recording led by Thomas Beecham (December 17 to 20, various times). Even someone who does not want to hear Messiah again should find a Baroque oratorio amped up with bass clarinet, contrabassoon, harp, and cymbals hard to resist.
>> The Library of Congress celebrates its collection of historical string instruments by Antonio Stradivari by marking the anniversary of his death with a free concert, this year performed by the Parker Quartet on Friday (December 18, 8 p.m.). The program features music by Haydn, Dutilleux, and Beethoven.
