Before the classical music schedule shuts down for the Easter holiday, here are a few concerts you should hear this week.
Cellist Alisa Weilerstein>> Mezzo-soprano Jennifer Johnson’s performance at the Freer Gallery of Art last fall ended up on my Top 10 list last year. Now Jennifer Johnson Cano, the St. Louis native will sing a recital on Monday (April 11, 7:30 p.m.) presented by Young Concert Artists in the Kennedy Center Terrace Theater.
>> On Tuesday (April 12, 8 p.m.) it will be cellist Alisa Weilerstein’s turn. She’s the soloist on tour with the St. Petersburg Philharmonic, under conductor Yuri Temirkanov, presented by Washington Performing Arts Society at Strathmore. The program includes pieces by Rimsky-Korsakov and Brahms, plus Shostakovich’s first cello concerto.
>> Watch a screening of Charlie Chaplin’s The Gold Rush on Friday (April 15, 8 p.m.) with a live performance of a new score for the film, presented by the Baltimore Symphony Orchestra at Strathmore.
>> The 21st Century Consort performs another program of contemporary music, including pieces by Cage and Messiaen, on Saturday (April 16, 5 p.m.) at the Smithsonian American Art Museum.
>> Attend a taping of the radio program From the Top, where pianist Christopher O’Riley introduces talented teenage classical musicians. Saturday (April 16, 8 p.m.) at the Clarice Smith Center in College Park.
>> The Afiara String Quartet will play a concert on Sunday (April 17, 2 p.m.), presented by WPAS in the Kennedy Center Terrace Theater.
>> Mark Palm Sunday (April 17, 4 p.m.) with a performance of Bach’s St. John Passion, performed by musicians of Washington National Cathedral.
>> Clarinetist Jon Manasse and pianist Jon Nakamatsu perform on Sunday and Monday (April 17 and 18), on the Friends of Music series at Dumbarton Oaks. Tickets are sold by subscription, but you may be able to buy single tickets closer to the performance.
MAKE IT FREE:
>> Free performances at the Kennedy Center Millennium Stage this week include sopranos Laura Strickling and Melissa Wimbish (April 11), the National Gallery of Art String Quartet (April 12), and the winners of the Joseph and Goldie Feder Memorial String Competition (April 16). All performances begin at 6 p.m. and require no ticket or reservation.
>> The Kronos Quartet gives a free performance on Tuesday (April 12, 8 p.m.), reading through new compositions by University of Maryland students at the Clarice Smith Center. The university’s Bach Cantata Series also continues on Thursday (April 14, 1:30 p.m.), with Cantata BWV 136, Erforsche mich, Gott, und erfahre mein Herz.
>> If you can make the trip to Baltimore, there is a free concert on Saturday (April 16, 3 p.m.) by Hans Kristian Goldstein, 2009 Winner of the Yale Gordon Concerto Competition, at the Baltimore Museum of Art.
>> The Georgia Chamber Singers perform a concert of music by Frank Martin on Sunday (April 17, 6:30 p.m.) at the National Gallery of Art.
>> For a complete concert calendar, go to Ionarts.
