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‘The Siren’s Grove’, ‘This Is America’, and PhilOrch’s new season
BSR Classical Interludes, February 2026
Gail Obenreder
The cold may be keeping some folks indoors, and Punxsutawney Phil may have seen his shadow and forecast more winter weather (full disclosure—I grew up in western Pennsylvania near the famous groundhog’s home). But it’s eminently worthwhile to get out and hear some great music that will warm your spirits. You can look ahead to a massive 2026-27 orchestra season, be moved by percussion virtuosos, sample two early music offerings, and hear some very new violin music. Enjoy!
Philadelphia Orchestra 2026-27 Season
It may seem a little early, but the orchestra has just announced its upcoming 2026-27 concerts. With new president Ryan Fleur at the helm, the orchestra will “continue to build on its legacy of artistry and innovation”. Highlights include more Mahler, a new arrangement of Bernstein’s Mass, and world premieres from Valerie Colman, Reena Esmail, and composer-in-residence Joe Hisaishi. There’s also the premiere of a composition fused with stop-motion animation under the baton of principal guest conductor Marin Alsop, and Yannick’s continuing opera-in-concert series features Wagner’s Lohengrin. Tickets go on sale in July, but you can start planning now!
Swarthmore College: Third Coast Percussion and Simone Porter: Strum, Strike, Bend
Saturday, February 7, 8pm
Swarthmore Department of Music/Lang Concert Hall, 500 College Avenue, Swarthmore
This Chicago quartet (Sean Connors, Robert Dillon, Peter Martin, and David Skidmore) who met while studying at Northwestern University were the first percussion ensemble to win a classical Grammy and have seven total nominations. In their 25 years, they’ve toured and collaborated with musicians, choreographers, and composers all around the world. They’ve commissioned hundreds of works, including Jlin’s 2023 composition Perspective, which was a finalist for the Pulitzer Prize. They’ll also hold a February 8 masterclass in Swarthmore’s Lang Concert Hall.
Main Line Early Music: Duo Silvio: The Siren’s Grove
Sunday, February 8, 3pm
Main Line Unitarian Church, 816 Valley Forge Road, Devon
For something a bit more reflective, Richard Stone (founder and co-director of Tempesta di Mare) and Cameron Welke will play works for two lutes, that unique and ubiquitous early music instrument. Concert repertoire comes from Renaissance Spain, Italy, and England, as well as from Baroque France and Germany, and the afternoon’s varied composers will, of course, include J.S. Bach. Note that this highly regarded early music series has a new home, and tickets are also available at the door.
Ravensong Series: The Unbound Toccata
Friday, February 13, 7pm
St. Clement’s Church, 2013 Appletree Street
For this concert, Philadelphia harpsichordist Leon Schelhase (director of the early music ensemble Ravensong and harpsichord instructor at the Curtis Institute) will play Bach’s dazzling keyboard toccatas, along with other works by Buxtehude and Frescobaldi that inspired and shaped the form. This is a solo harpsichord program exploring the drama, variety, and improvisatory spirit of the stylus fantasticus.
Penn Live Arts: Johnny Gandelsman: This is America
Saturday, February 14, 7:30pm
Christ Church, 20 North American Street
Sunday, February 15, 3pm
Prince Theater, 1412 Chestnut Street
Johnny Gandelsman’s This is America is a growing collection of commissioned works by US composers that honors our country’s vibrant cultural tapestry and its myriad perspectives. Gandelsman, a 2024 MacArthur Fellow and Grammy-winning member of the Silkroad Ensemble, will perform a solo violin program featuring the world premiere of a Penn Live Arts commission by Pulitzer Prize-winning composer Tyshawn Sorey, multi-instrumentalist and professor of music at Penn. Each concert program varies, but both will include Sorey’s world premiere work.
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