Philadelphia Music Roundup - May 2021

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Has the great re-opening started? Maybe? Spring is here - and that means outdoor events and online content to choose from. Did we miss something? Events coming up in June? Let us know at calendar@acfphiladelphia.org.

May 2021 events

PHILADELPHIA CHAMBER MUSIC SOCIETY

The Philadelphia Chamber Music Society presents three concerts in May featuring contemporary composers. First on May 5, violinist Francesca de Pasquale and pianist Reiko Uchida perform On the Blue Shore of Silence for Violin, Piano, and Electronics by composers Gity Razaz, Gloria Justen, and Sayo Kosugi, with visual art by Johanna Andruchovici. This is a Philadelphia premiere and was commissioned in part by PCMS.

On May 20, the Junction Trio makes its PCMS debut, JCT is composed of violinist Stefan Jackiw, recognized for combining poetry and purity with an impeccable technique; pianist Conrad Tao, an internationally known pianist and composer; and cellist Jay Campbell, a member of the renowned JACK Quartet. The program includes the Philadelphia premiere of John Zorn’s Ghosts, Op. 70 in addition to two piano trios by Charles Ives and  Maurice Ravel.

On May 26, the Jasper Quartet with soprano Sarah Shafer present the second of a two-part concert dedicated to works by living female composers. The program features music by Vivian Fung, Julia Wolfe, Caroline Shaw, Jennifer Higdon, and Shelley Washington.

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PHILADELPHIA ORCHESTRA

The Philadelphia Orchestra continues to present virtual concerts and in May features one live in-person concert at the Mann.

Streaming May 6-13, the orchestra presents Fire, Hope, and Truth featuring work by John Adams, Anthony Davis, Igee Dieudonné, and Davóne Tines. Then on May 13 the orchestra presents Fanfare for the Future, a celebration of the Academy of Music featuring Renée Fleming, Whoopi Goldberg, and students from the School for the Creative and Performing Arts with a program that includes work by composer Jessie Montgomery among others.

On May 15 the orchestra performs live at the Mann with a program titled Hail to the Heroes. The Philadelphia Orchestra and the Mann Center for the Performing Arts have partnered to present a free thank-you concert for the frontline responders, healthcare professionals, and all manner of essential workers who have done so much to keep the region safe and productive throughout the pandemic. The program includes two new compositions by Valerie Coleman and Vivian Fung.

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WRTI FRIDAY CHORAL CONNECTION

Friday Choral Connection on WRTI 90.1, hosted by Debra Lew Harder is continuing through June. The series started in September of last year as a response to the pandemic and the lack of live choral music. Originally the series featured The Crossing, Choral Arts Philadelphia, and the Mendelssohn Chorus of Philadelphia but has expanded to include Singing City, Susquehanna Chorale, Philadelphia Gay Men's Chorus, and Bucks County Choral Society. This month on May 14th and 21st the Susquehanna Choral will perform works by contemporary composers Peter Anglea, Gwyneth Walker, and Rollo Dilworth. On May 28th the Philadelphia Gay Men’s Chorus will perform a work by Robert Maggio, professor of music at West Chester University.

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MORE STREAMING CONCERTS

  • On May 6 Bowerbird presents the next installment of the late night music series, Liminal States with vocal ensemble Variant 6.

  • Astral Artists presents trombonists Brittany Lasch in its continuing series Astral Nova. The program includes work by Thomas Weaver, Inez McComas, and Shawn Davern.

  • On May 23 Orchestra 2001 presents Honoring Our Ancestors live in the 9th Street Market (9th street between Washington Ave. and Ellsworth St.) The concert features composers from around the world including Tan Dun, George Walker, Lam Phuong, Carlos Almarán, Alain Barrière, and others.

AMERICAN COMPOSERS FORUM

The American Composers Forum national organization and the Philadelphia Chapter have online workshops and talks this month.

ACF Philadelphia presents an Artist to Artist Talk between Monnette Sudier and Diane Monroe on May 5.  The two Philadelphia based composers and performers whose creative practice bridges jazz, improvisation, and other musical forms and styles will discuss their creative process, reflect on their artistic influences, and share recent work. 

American Composers Forum presents three virtual discussions. First on May 5, Professional Development Panel: Conductor’s Roundtable with Marin Alsop & George Manaha. The two orchestral conductors will provide insight into the conductor-composer relationship, programming new works, and other topics relevant to composers, followed by a Q&A with the audience.

On May 13 ACF hosts a Study Group on Code Switching. Quite often used as a survival tactic for BIPOC navigating white spaces, code-switching can be adjusting the way we talk or how we do our hair, or how we dress to fit into the dominant culture. What does it mean and what is its impact?

On May 19 ACF presents another Professional Development Panel on Programming and Digital Curation. How does traditional programming change when it’s focused online? Where is classical music headed in the digital age? American Composers Orchestra Artistic Director Derek Bermel moderates a panel of experts, followed by a Q&A with the audience.

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ONGOING: OPERA PHILADELPHIA

Opera Philadelphia has several recently composed on demand operas that are available through May. Operas include two by Tyshawn Sorey: Save the Boys and Cycles of My Being, Soldier Song by David T. Little, Courtney Bryan’s Blessed, Breaking the Waves by Missy Mazzoli and Royce Vavrek, Angélica Negrón’s The Island We Made, and a newly commissioned opera by Caroline Shaw We Need to Talk. More information about these works and how to stream can be found on the Opera Philadelphia website.

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MAY 2021 at a glance

CHRONOLOGICAL LISTING

ACF Philadelphia