MUSIC . Music Picks

Dueling Orchestras

Philadelphia Orchestra, Nov. 29, 8 p.m., $10-$88, Verizon Hall, Broad and Spruce streets, philorch.org. Kirov Orchestra, Nov. 30, 8 p.m., $33-$115, Verizon Hall, 215-893-1999, kimmelcenter.org.


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Published: Nov 27, 2007

Of the myriad ways in which the Kimmel Center has enhanced the arts scene in Philadelphia, one of the most rewarding has been in creating the opportunity to hear a range of great orchestras playing in a great hall. One of those ensembles is, of course, the home team, and as we have compared them to the world's most renowned ensembles these past few years, they hold up to their legendary reputation quite nicely. The sports metaphor goes only so far; differences between first-tier orchestras are in terms of style, more so than quality. This week brings an exciting case in point. The Philadelphia Orchestra has honed a sound that is prized for exquisite sonority combined with dazzling agility, attributes that should never be taken for granted by local music lovers. They will be led by Simon Rattle in an unusual work by a famous composer; Schumann's secular oratorio Das Paradies und die Peri is unknown to most. We'll see if the neglect is unjustified, or not. When Sir Simon vacates Philly for a run at Carnegie Hall with the same program, Verizon will have a Russian visit. The Kirov Orchestra of St. Petersburg is perhaps the most idiomatic iteration of the classic Slavic school of music making; wildly careening virtuosity, explosive color, go-for-broke energy. Valery Gergiev is on the podium for an all-Stravinsky program.

Philadelphia Orchestra, Nov. 29, 8 p.m., $10-$88, Verizon Hall, Broad and Spruce streets, philorch.org. Kirov Orchestra, Nov. 30, 8 p.m., $33-$115, Verizon Hall, 215-893-1999, kimmelcenter.org.