Orchestra 2001

Sat., April 12, 8 p.m., Kimmel Center, 300 S. Broad St.; Sun., April 13, 7:30 p.m., Lang Concert Hall, Swarthmore; $27-$32 (students free with ID), 215-922-2190, orchestra2001.org.


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Published: Apr 9, 2008

classical

Since it is no longer especially fashionable to hate the French (had any freedom fries lately?), Orchestra 2001 has timed its Saison Française well. It is, in any season, a terrific idea to celebrate this work, as the French contribution to 20th-century music and beyond has been singular and immensely rewarding. Giants such as Debussy, Messiaen and Boulez have been showcased already, and the festival concludes with beautifully written and highly original music (with distinctly French characteristics) by Milhaud, in his delightfully jazzy La creation du monde; and with Arthur Honegger's deeply moving Symphony No. 2, written in Paris in the very dark year of 1942. The program also includes a première by a (gasp!) American, Philly's own Jay Reise. His new violin concerto, subtitled The River Within, was, however, inspired by French literature. He wrote the work for Maria Bachmann, who will be the soloist.

Sat., April 12, 8 p.m., Kimmel Center, 300 S. Broad St.; Sun., April 13, 7:30 p.m., Lang Concert Hall, Swarthmore; $27-$32 (students free with ID), 215-922-2190, orchestra2001.org.