From Tchaikovsky to Rachmaninoff, the classic arts scene in New York is never quiet. Here is just a sampling of some of the classic arts events happening this week:
New York City Ballet’s Winter season concludes with two weeks of the perennial favorite Swan Lake, presented in Peter Martins’ full-length production. Martins’ staging is based on the iconic choreography of Petipa and Ivanov, as well as Balanchine’s one-act version which is also part of the company’s repertory. Although originally not a success, Swan Lake’s reputation was rehabilitated after the composer’s death, and it has since become one of the most famous ballets in the canon. It tells the story of a princess, Odette, who has been transformed into a swan as the result of a sorcerer’s curse.
Conductor Santtu-Matias Rouvali joins the New York Philharmonic February 20-22 for an all-Soviet program including Shostakovich’s 15th Symphony, selections from Shostakovich’s Moscow Cheryomushki as arranged by Cornall, and Prokofiev’s Piano Concerto No. 2 with soloist Seong-Jin Cho. The Philharmonic will also present a Very Young People’s Concert February 22, hosted by violist Rebecca Young, and featuring selections from Swan Lake.
Pianists Yuja Wang and Víkingur Ólafsson will join forces at Carnegie Hall February 19 for a concert of virtuosic four-hand and two-piano works, including works by Berio, Schubert, Cage, Nancarrow, Adams, Pärt, and Rachmaninoff. Carnegie Hall will also host performances this week from The Knights (February 20); Ensemble Connect (February 20); and Latin ensemble Monsieur Periné (February 22).
The Dessoff Choirs will perform a new edition of Florence Price’s Abraham Lincoln Walks at Midnight at the Union Theological Seminary’s James Chapel February 20, continuing its mission of unveiling choral orchestra works by Black women composers. Led by conductor Malcolm J. Merriweather, the program will also include choral works by Schubert, Schumann, Richard Strauss, and Brahms.
The Chamber Music Society of Lincoln Center presents pianist Juho Pohjonen in a solo recital at Lincoln Center’s Rose Studio February 20. Pohjonen will perform a world premiere work by Jyrki Linjama, as well as sonatas and other works by Scriabin, Liszt, Beethoven, and Messiaen.
The Hagen Quartet returns to the 92nd Street Y February 18 to perform a concert of Haydn and Schumann String Quartets. The quartets on the program will be Haydn’s No. 43 in G Major, No. 44 in E Major, and Schumann’s No. 3 in A Major.
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