Though we’ve seen little relief from the heat, history tells us that eventually fall will arrive, the temperature will drop, and the leaves will change color and fall to the ground. Fortunately for music lovers, autumn is a great time for classical music in New England. Giving way to fanfare and season openers, the 2022-23 season offers many opportunities to hear unique performances of obscure works as well as a healthy serving of familiar favorites. Read on to discover what’s happening this fall.
The Rhode Island Philharmonic Orchestra has one more free outdoor concert on Sep 17 at Slater Park in Pawtucket. The official classical season starts on Oct 15. Interim music director Tania Miller leads the orchestra in a program including Richard Strauss’ “Also Sprach Zarathustra,” Elgar’s “Cello Concerto” featuring soloist Sterling Elliott, and a new composition by composer Quinn Mason entitled “A Joyous Trilogy.” Other season highlights include the annual performance of Handel’s “Messiah” with the Providence Singers and conducted by their music director Christine Noel, Bernstein’s “West Side Story,” and Stravinsky’s “Rite of Spring.” For more information visit riphil.com
The Boston Symphony Orchestra offers different classical programs weekly. Starting on Sep 22, Andris Nelsons leads the orchestra in a program of music by Holst and J.S. Bach, and features pianist Awadagin Pratt. Little needs to be said about the BSO’s world class status and commitment to classical excellence. Just one hour from Providence, hearing these incredible pieces performed by this orchestra in one of the most acoustically perfect concert halls in the USA is well worth the price of a ticket. For more information visit bso.org
On Sunday, Sep 25, Odyssey Opera of Boston performs three one-act operas by composer Sergei Rachmaninoff. Odyssey Opera is known for presenting obscure opera in concert format, minus the sets and lighting. Performed in Russian with English supertitles, this concert takes place at Jordan Hall at the New England Conservatory, one of the region’s finest acoustic venues. For more information, visit odysseyopera.org
On Saturday, Oct 22, the Springfield Symphony Orchestra opens its season under the baton of Joanne Falletta with Kodaly’s “Dances of Galanta,” Elgar’s “Cello Concerto,” featuring soloist Joshua Roman, and Dvorak’s “Symphony No. 7.” This group has recently reinvented itself after negotiations with management broke down amid the pandemic. We’re glad to see them back in action. For more information visit springfieldsymphony.org
On Oct 1, the New Bedford Symphony Orchestra, under the direction of Yaniv Dinur, opens its season with a concert entitled “American Dream,” featuring Dvorak’s “Symphony No. 9 From the New World” and Wynton Marsalis’ “Violin Concerto.” Other fall offerings from this ensemble include Respighi’s “Fountains of Rome,” Brahms’ “Piano Concerto No. 1,” a Holiday concert and several chamber music offerings. This ambitious programming may be well worth the trip out along route 195. For more information visit nbsymphony.org
On Oct 7-9, the Hartford Symphony Orchestra opens its season with a program of American music, including Gershwin’s “American in Paris,” Copland’s “Appalachian Spring,” and Grofe’s “Grand Canyon Suite.” A seasoned orchestra with great programming all year long, this group is well worth hearing. All performances take place at the Bushnell Center in Hartford, CT. For more information visit hartfordsymphony.org
On Saturday, Oct 22, the Eastern Connecticut Symphony Orchestra under the direction of Toshi Shimada performs Elgar’s “Cello Concerto” and Beethoven’s “Symphony No. 6.” Other season highlights include Shostakovich’s “Violin Concerto,” Serge Rachmaninoff’s “Piano Concerto No.3,” and Brahms’ “A German Requiem” with the Eastern Connecticut Symphony Chorus. Performing at the Garde Arts Center in New London, this group is a cultural gem in the middle of nowhere. For more information visit ectsymphony.com
In addition to their ongoing collaborations with the Rhode Island Philharmonic, The Providence Singers, under the direction of Christine Noel, will present Haydn’s “Creation” on Oct 30 at Grace Episcopal Church in PVD. This outfit is one of the finest choirs in all of New England, based right here in RI. To learn more about their upcoming season, visit providencesingers.org
On November 19 & 20, the Chorus of Westerly will present Haydn’s “Mass For Troubled Times” and Caroline Shaw’s “To The Hands” with full orchestra. Under the skilled baton of Andrew Howell, this group never ceases to amaze with high quality performances of ambitious material, in its wonderful concert venue, the George Kent Performance Hall. For more information visit https://www.chorusofwesterly.org/
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