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Black Pearl Chamber Orchestra, a piano festival, and music at Longwood Gardens
BSR Classical Interludes, July and August 2024
Gail Obenreder
The end of this month and heading into August, it’s fairly quiet on the concert scene since many of the region’s musicians are working at festivals nationwide or (hopefully) even on vacation! But we’ve found a few exciting things on tap. There’s a concert of almost entirely new music by the Black Pearl Orchestra, a piano recital in Wilmington, some bells ringing out at Longwood, and a host of keyboard luminaries—along with some future stars—at a festival in Philadelphia.
Black Pearl Chamber Orchestra: Kaleidoscope
Thursday, July 25, 7:30pm
Philadelphia Episcopal Cathedral, 19 South 38th Street, Philadelphia
The wonderful Black Pearl ensemble presents a concert of contemporary music—works by the winners of their Kaleidoscope Initiative Call for Scores. On the program will be Kevin Arthur Jr.'s As They Dance in the Wind, Courtney Evans's Cloud Sprawl, and Couplet for String Orchestra by Joshua Foy. The ensemble will also present Jessie Montgomery's Source Code, a moving piece drawing on African American spirituals, alongside other selections performed by Black Pearl's Luigi Mazzocchi and Ajibola Rivers. Artistic director Jeri Lynne Johnson and guest conductor Jaman Dunn will lead the orchestra.
Philadelphia Young Pianists Academy: Piano Festival
July 27-August 4, 2024
Academy of Vocal Arts, 1920 Spruce Street, Philadelphia
Beginning on July 27 and running through August 4, this nine-day annual summer event features a stellar piano faculty, several of whom will give recitals, along with performances by competition participants and prizewinners. Many of the 20 events, including master classes, are open to the public and take place at several different locations.
The faculty piano recitals feature some luscious keyboard repertoire. Charlotte Hu, festival founder and director, opens the proceedings on Saturday, July 27, with works by Liszt. On July 28, the South African Westhuizen Duo offers a piano four-hands concert with works by Schubert, Dvorak, Ravel, and Poulenc, among others.
On August 2, there are two recitals: rising star and Beijing-born pianist Yuxin Chen performs music by Haydn, Chopin, Kreisler, and Liszt; and renowned Belgian pianist Jean-Claude Vanden Eynden performs music by Bach, Franck, and Schubert.
On Saturday, August 3, American pianist Eduardus Halim performs Beethoven's Hammerklavier Sonata and transcriptions of music by Bach, Wagner, Chopin, and Strauss. And the festival closes on Sunday, August 4, with winners of the 2024 competition performing alongside piano luminaries Jerome Lowenthal, Ursula Oppens, and Michael Lewin.
Summer Piano Institute: Henry Kramer, piano
Monday, July 29, 7pm
Music School of Delaware, 4101 Washington Street, Wilmington
Each summer, the busy Music School of Delaware hosts a piano institute for advancing young musicians. This year’s clinician and guest artist is Henry Kramer, a 2019 winner of Lincoln Center’s coveted Avery Fisher Career Grant. A Steinway artist and Juilliard graduate, Kramer is a member of Astral Artists and on the music faculty of the Université de Montréal. He will play two favorites by Ravel—Gaspard de la Nuit and Le Tombeau de Couperin—along with works by Duphly, Lash, Rameau, and Couperin himself. No tickets or reservations are needed for this free concert.
Longwood Gardens: Friday Carillon Concerts
August 9 and 30, 6pm
Longwood Gardens, 1001 Longwood Road, Kennett Square
These 30-minute concerts transport you to another time. Longwood’s historic stone tower has 62 bells that span five octaves set in a beautiful corner of the remarkable garden. On August 9, the carillonneur is Andrea McCrady, whose home instrument is at the Peace Tower in Ottawa; and on August 30, Chi lan “Jess” Ip comes from the University of Chicago. Guests must purchase admission to Longwood; the concert can be heard from areas adjacent to the Tower. And after the concert, Chimes Tower Hours at 6:30pm allow visitors to climb to the top, meet the musician, and see the workings of this remarkable instrument.
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