Byron Schenkman
As a co-leader of Seattle Baroque, he approaches pre-1800 music on period instruments with a lively, even idiosyncratic freedom—the spirit of improvisation informs whatever he plays. Lately, he’s been expanding his outlook historically, from Brahms (in an August piano recital) to Bun-Ching Lam (a world premiere with flutist Paul Taub coming up Sunday, Oct. 30). But next he’ll play Bach, Handel, Scarlatti, and Telemann, in a half- harpsichord, half-piano recital. Tues., Sept. 20. Town Hall, 1119 Eighth Ave., 206-652-4255, www.townhallseattle.org.
Northwest Chamber Orchestra
Anyone who’s heard Philip Glass’ scores for the Qatsi film trilogy knows how well his music can evoke a sense of vast space, so he was an astute choice for a work honoring the bicentennial of the Lewis and Clark expeditions. For the NWCO’s opening concert, music director Ralf Gothoni has chosen this work (Glass’ Piano Concerto No. 2) with its three movements titled “The Vision,” “Sacagawea” (featuring Native American flutist R. Carlos Nakai), and “The Land.” Sun., Sept. 25. Benaroya Recital Hall, 200 University St., 206-343-0445, www.nwco.org.
Seattle Opera
The follow-up to Jake Heggie’s freshman operatic effort (the controversial Dead Man Walking) is his adaptation of The End of the Affair, Graham Greene’s 1951 novel of passion, faith, and sacrifice during wartime. It premiered last season in Houston, but Seattle Opera is presenting a revised version of a work of “chromatic yearning and mellifluous lyricism” by one of today’s busiest and most popular vocal composers. Various days, Oct. 15–29. McCaw Hall, Seattle Center, 206-389-7676, www.seattleopera.org.
UW Opera
With over 70 productions and a sheaf of orgasmic reviews comparing it favorably to Mozart, Strauss, Falstaff, and Gianni Schicchi, Kirke Mechem’s 1980 Tartuffe will be this fall’s second major local production of a contemporary opera. Claudia Zahn, who knows from comedy, is directing this version of Molière’s classic skewering of hypocrisy. At 80, Mechem is not slowing down, with premieres of The Newport Rivals and John Brown slated for coming seasons, and Pride and Prejudice on his worktable. Various days, Nov. 4–13. Meany Hall, UW campus, 206-543-4880, www.music.washington.edu.
Classical Calendar
Dates are subject to change. Call ahead to confirm.
SEPTEMBER
15 SEATTLE SYMPHONY A world premiere by Shafer Mahoney. Benaroya Hall, 200 University St., 206-215-4747, www.seattlesymphony.org.
17 BLOOD A multimedia opera by composer/ provocateur Jay Hamilton. Gallery 1412, 1412 18th Ave., 206-322-1533, www.gallery1412.org.
18 CLARINETTISSIMO! Works for up to nine clarinets. PONCHO Concert Hall, Cornish College of the Arts, 710 E. Roy St., 206-726-5011, www.cornish.edu.
20 BYRON SCHENKMAN See Fall Favorites.
22 SEATTLE SYMPHONY Aaron Jay Kernis Musica celestis, plus Nadja Salerno-Sonnenberg plays Barber. Benaroya Hall, 200 University St., 206-215-4747, www.seattlesymphony.org.
24 JORGE CABALLERO Opening the Seattle Classic Guitar Societys recital season. Benaroya Recital Hall, 200 University St., 206-365-0845, www.seattleguitar.org.
25 CHAMBER MUSIC AT THE FRYE Music by Northwest composers, with the Cohan-Shangrow Duo. Frye Art Museum, 704 Terry St., 206-622-9250, www.fryemuseum.org.
25 NORTHWEST CHAMBER ORCHESTRA See Fall Favorites.
30 NORTHWEST SINFONIETTA The opening of their Mozart-celebration season. Town Hall, 1119 Eighth Ave., 253-284-9400, www.nwsinfonietta.org.
30 INDIA IN AMERICA Music and dance from the subcontinent. Town Hall, 1119 Eighth Ave., 425-736-4652, www.townhallseattle.org.
OCTOBER
1 OPUS 7 Unearthly choral music in The Company of Heaven. St. James Cathedral, 804 Ninth Ave., 206-782-2899, www.opus7.org.
2 ORCHESTRA SEATTLE/SEATTLE CHAMBER SINGERS More Mozart for his upcoming birthday year, including the Requiem. Meany Hall, UW campus, 206-682-5208, www.osscs.org.
3 KEITH ROWE Guitarist from the legendary British improv collective AMM. Gallery 1412, 1412 18th Ave., www.gallery1412.org.
3 MARIA SAMPEN American music, mostly, from this violinist. Brechemin Auditorium, UW School of Music, 206-685-8384, www.music.washington.edu.
6 MIRO QUARTET Opening the UW International Chamber Music Series. Meany Hall, UW campus, 206-543-4880, www.uwworldseries.org.
6 SEATTLE SYMPHONY Dvorak, Bartok, and Beethoven. Benaroya Hall, 200 University St., 206-215-4747, www.seattlesymphony.org.
7 BELLEVUE OPERA Everyones favorite weepie, La Boh譥. Meydenbauer Center, 11100 N.E. Sixth St., Bellevue, 206-325-6500, www.bellevueopera.org.
13 TYVA KYZY A Tuvan female throat-singing quintet. Town Hall, 1119 Eighth Ave., www.tyvakyzy.com.
15 THE ESOTERICS Choral music inspired by Islam. St. Josephs Catholic Church, 732 18th Ave. E., 206-935-7779, www.theesoterics.org.
15 EUROPA GALANTE This baroque orchestra opens the Early Music Guilds season. Town Hall, 1119 Eighth Ave., 206-325-7066, www.early musicguild.org.
15 SEATTLE OPERA See Fall Favorites.
15 TUDOR CHOIR A musical legacy for St. Francis of Assisi. St. Marks Cathedral, 1245 10th Ave. E., 206-323-9415, www.tudorchoir.org.
16 PHILHARMONIA NORTHWEST Beethoven, Haydn, and Mozart. St. Stephens Episcopal Church, 4805 N.E. 45th St., 206-675-9727, www.philharmonianw.org.
18 SEATTLE SYMPHONY For one night only, Itzhak Perlman. Benaroya Hall, 200 University St., 206-215-4747, www.seattlesymphony.org.
19 ANDRAS SCHIFF Opening the UW Presidents Piano Series. Meany Hall, UW campus, 206-543-4880, www.uwworldseries.org.
20 COLLIER AND DEAN Vibraphonist Tom and bassist Dan celebrate 40 years of jamming. Meany Hall, UW campus, 206-543-4880, www.music.washington.edu.
21 LAKE UNION CIVIC ORCHESTRA Johann Strauss, Bruch, and Brahms. Town Hall, 1119 Eighth Ave., 206-343-LUCO, www.luco.org.
22 BELLEVUE PHILHARMONIC Weber, Schubert, and Tchaikovsky. Meydenbauer Center, 11100 N.E. Sixth St., Bellevue, 425-455-4171, www.bellevuephil.org.
22 CAPELLA ROMANA Choral music, with guest soprano Patricia Rozario. St. Marks Cathedral, 1245 10th Ave. E., 503-236-8202, www.cappellaromana.org.
22 CHORAL ARTS Rachmaninoffs serene All-Night Vigil. St. James Cathedral, 804 Ninth Ave., 877-404-2269, www.choral-arts.org.
22 SEATTLE BAROQUE Bachs Third Brandenburg Concerto and other string showpieces. Benaroya Recital Hall, 200 University St., 206-322-3118, www.seattlebaroque.org.
23 SEATTLE PHILHARMONIC An all- Tchaikovsky concert. Meany Hall, UW campus, 206-525-0443, www.seattlephil.com.
23 NORTHWEST CHAMBER ORCHESTRA French chamber music from NWCO players. McEachern Auditorium, MOHAI, 2700 24th Ave. E., 206-343-0445, www.nwco.org.
24 BEAU QUARTET Dvorak, Mendelssohn, and Schnittke from this new chamber group. Town Hall, 1119 Eighth Ave., 866-468-7623, www.ticketweb.com.
27 SEATTLE SYMPHONY Violinist Sarah Chang. Benaroya Hall, 200 University St., 206-215-4747, www.seattlesymphony.org.
29 GALLERY CONCERTS Mostly Ghostly Baroque for Halloween weekend. Town Hall, 1119 Eighth Ave., 206-726-6088, www.galleryconcerts.org.
NOVEMBER
1 CRAIG SHEPPARD Seattles most inspiring and satisfying pianist plays Bachs six partitas. Meany Hall, UW campus, 206-543-4880, www.music.washington.edu.
4 UW OPERA See Fall Favorites.
5 ORCHESTRA SEATTLE/SEATTLE CHAMBER SINGERS Bach cantatas. Town Hall, 1119 Eighth Ave., 206-682-5208, www.osscs.org.
7 MUSIC OF REMEMBRANCE With tenor Vinson Cole. Benaroya Recital Hall, 200 University St., 206-365-7770, www.musicofremembrance.org.
8 MELIA WATRAS Viola music, including Quincy Porters Speed Etude. Meany Hall, UW campus, 206-543-4880, www.music.washington.edu.
9 PARIS PIANO TRIO Their Seattle debut. Meany Hall, UW campus, 206-543-4880, www.uwworldseries.org.
10 SEATTLE SYMPHONY A commissioned work by Gabriela Lena Frank. Benaroya Hall, 200 University St., 206-215-4747, www.seattlesymphony.org.
10 UW SYMPHONY Wall-to-wall Wolfgang. Meany Hall, UW campus, 206-543-4880, www.music.washington.edu.
12 SEATTLE FLUTE SOCIETY British flutist Trevor Wye heads a flute choir several dozen strong. Benaroya Recital Hall, 200 University St., 206-292-ARTS, www.seattleflutesociety.org.
15 ANGELA HEWITT Canadian pianist acclaimed for her Bach. Meany Hall, UW campus, 206-543-4880, www.uwworldseries.org.
16 ANDRE WATTS Part of the Seattle Symphonys Distinguished Artists Series. Benaroya Hall, 200 University St., 206-215-4747, www.seattlesymphony.org.
18 GAMELAN PACIFICA Seattles own Indonesian percussion orchestra. PONCHO Concert Hall, Cornish College of the Arts, 710 E. Roy St., 206-726-5011, www.cornish.edu.
19 NORTHWEST CHAMBER ORCHESTRA With trumpeter Al Vizzutti. Benaroya Recital Hall, 200 University St., 206-343-0445, www.nwco.org.
19 SNOW MUSIC Contemporary music celebrating winter, presented by Music Northwest. Olympic Recital Hall, South Seattle Community College, 6000 16th Ave. S.W., 206-937-2899, www.musicnorthwest.org.
