COVER STORY .

Classical/Opera


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Published: Sep 16, 2009

Orchestra 2001

Thanks to 2001 founder James Freeman's long involvement in the new music world, the ensemble has snagged some big names to write for them over the years, probably none bigger than George Crumb, who wrote all of his six American Songbooks for them. Selections from those will highlight an 80th birthday tribute to the composer.

Sept. 25, Kimmel Center, 300 S. Broad St., 215-893-1999; Sept. 27, Swarthmore's Lang Concert Hall, 500 College Ave., Swarthmore, 267-687-6243; orchestra2001.org.

Chamber Orchestra of Philadelphia

Belgian-born composer and conductor Dirk Brossé looks northward with a bracing all-Scandinavian selection, including music of Nielsen, Sibelius, Wirén, Hanson and Grieg.

Oct. 25-26, Kimmel Center, chamberorchestra.org.

Jeremy Denk

An electrifying, fearless pianist, Denk will play the first Piano Sonata of Charles Ives as well as music by Mozart and Schumann.

Oct. 28, Kimmel Center, pcmsconcerts.org.

The Philadelphia Orchestra

The tantalizing Vladimir Jurowski returns to lead the hometown band in music from his native Russia. The Armenian-born violinist Sergey Khachatryan will play the Tchaikovsky Violin Concerto, and there will also be early Stravinsky and the seldom-heard but extremely compelling Fourth Symphony of Prokofiev.

Oct. 29-31, Kimmel Center, philorch.org.

Astral Artists

A Brahms bash! Three separate programs in one day of chamber music mostly by the beloved composer from Hamburg, as played by the wonderful young musicians form the Astral stable.

Nov. 14, Church of the Holy Trinity, 1904 Walnut St., 215-735-6999, astralartists.org.

The Rake's Progress

A late masterpiece from Stravinski, a sardonic and striking work of musical theater filled with unforgettable characters. Fully staged in the original English by Curtis Opera Theatre.

Nov. 19-22, Prince Music Theater, 1412 Chestnut St., 215-893-7902, curtis.edu.

New York Philharmonic

Riccardo Muti was the music director that this band let get away (to Chicago). He leads them here in music of Liszt, Elgar and Prokofiev that he loved to play in his Philly days.

Nov. 20, Kimmel Center, nyphil.org.