BSR Classical Interludes, January 2025

Celebratory Organ Concert
Wednesday, January 8, 6:30 pm
Church of the Gesu, St. Joseph’s Prep, 1733 West Girard Avenue

This concert—hosted by St. Joseph’s Prep—celebrates the Hook & Hastings organ at the Church of the Gesu on the school’s Girard Avenue campus. While building renovations continue, the restored 1898 organ will be featured here in works by major 17th, 18th, and 19th century composers (Palestrina, Mozart, Beethoven, Mendelssohn, etc.) that were presented in the church before 1904, when a papal mandate called for more traditional (often Gregorian chant) music. Conducted by Benjamin C.S. Boyle, this evening features an eight-member “choir” studded with great Philadelphia singers and John Walthausen at the organ.

Ama Deus Ensemble: Gershwin, Grieg & More
Friday, January 10, 8pm
Kimmel Center, Perelman Theater, 300 South Broad Street

For the busy organization’s traditional January concert, British pianist Peter Donohoe and the Ama Deus Chamber Orchestra (conducted by Valentin Radu) will present a program of beloved 20th century works by four composers in the Perelman Theater: George Gershwin (An American in Paris, Second New York Rhapsody, and Rhapsody in Blue); Duke Ellington (New World A-Comin’); George Enescu (Romanian Rhapsody No. 2); and Edvard Grieg (Peer Gynt Suite and the A-minor Piano Concerto).

East Passyunk Opera Project (ePOP): Love Notes 4
Saturday, January 11, 7:30pm
Society Hill Dance Academy, 1919 East Passyunk Avenue

This is the fourth and final Love Notes concert, featuring Philadelphia performers in opera, art song, musical theater, and pop. This evening includes works ranging from Simon and Garfunkel to an excerpt from The Anonymous Lover, Opera Philadelphia’s next major production. Performers for this eclectic evening include the Opera’s soprano Ashley Marie Robillard and baritone Johnathan McCullough; mezzo-soprano Maren Montalbano; and soprano Katrina Thurman, with ePOP music director Aurelien Eulert—all hosted by Cookie Diorio, with Omar Saleem as beatmaker, DJ, and co-creator. Doors open at 6:45pm.

Symphony in C: Virtuoso Duets & Suite Melodies
Saturday, January 11, 7:30pm
Rutgers-Camden Center for the Arts, Gordon Theater, 314 Linden Street, Camden NJ

This orchestra is focused on the next generation of classical musicians, and this concert features its players in a range of interesting works: Jennifer Higdon’s moving Cold Mountain Suite; Ravel’s fiery Tzigane; Saint-Saëns’ Introduction and Rondo Capriccioso in A minor; Grieg’s Peer Gynt Suite; and Spanish composer Pablo de Sarasate’s 1889 work, Navarra. Written for two violins and orchestra, it will be performed by violinists Hina and Fiona Khuong-Huu.

Chamber Orchestra of Philadelphia: Brillhart & Baroque
Friday, January 17, 7:30pm
Sunday, January 19, 2:30pm
Kimmel Center, Perelman Theater, 300 South Broad Street

Also taking full advantage of the Perelman’s wonderful acoustics, this chamber ensemble will explore Bach’s music with three quintessential works: the Brandenburg Concertos No. 3 (BWV 1048) and No. 5 (BVW 1050), along with his celebrated 1727 cantata Ich habe genug (I am content) sung by soprano Kara Goodrich. Jeffrey Brillhart conducts this concert that concludes with Les Élémens—a 10-movement 1737 work by late baroque composer Jean-Féry Rebel (written as a ballet) that depicts the elements of earth, air, fire, and water.