Philadelphia Orchestra/Philomel

by Peter Burwasser

Classical

Heading into the Thanksgiving holiday, a program of American music performed by American musicians seems appropriate enough. The dynamic young conductor Marin Alsop, who was, just a few seasons ago, the first woman to lead the Philadelphia Orchestra in a subscription concert, will make her Verizon Hall debut. Poster boy violinist Joshua Bell (his sumptuous playing matches his boyish good looks) will be the soloist in John Corigliano's strikingly pretty Concerto for Violin and Orchestra, based on a piece Bell recorded for the film The Red Violin. Philadelphia's most famous composer, Samuel Barber (OK, he lived in Westchester, but he worked and taught here) will be represented by his Symphony No. 2. The program also includes the overture to Leonard Bernstein's Candide.

And if it's Thanksgiving time, it must be the beginning of the Philomel season, our venerable original-instrument ensemble, now celebrating 28 years of music making. A nearly all-Vivaldi program vibrantly ushers in the changing climate. No, this is not yet another concert of "The Four Seasons," rather, four concertos for four violin soloists. But like all of Vivaldi, there is a spirit and rhythmic dynamism in this music that evokes the wild beauty of nature. Philomel's natural instruments always seem to be a step closer to that vision. Veteran period-instrument player Nancy Wilson will lead an expanded Philomel Baroque Orchestra.

Philadelphia Orchestra, Nov. 20, 22, 24 and 25, 8 p.m., and Nov. 21, 2 p.m., $10-$110, Kimmel Center, 260 S. Broad St., 215-893-1999. Philomel, Fri., Nov. 21, 8 p.m., Church of the Holy Trinity, Rittenhouse Sq.; Sat., Nov. 22, 8 p.m., St. Paul’s Episcopal Church, Doylestown; and Sun., Nov. 23, 4 p.m., Church of St. Martin-in-the-Fields, Chestnut Hill; $30-$35, 215-893-1999.

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