Phil Family Events
Dates, times, programs, and artists subject to change.
No matter your age, the Westchester Philharmonic offers many opportunities to engage with classical music. Below are some great events perfect for younger listeners.
Brahms to Ellington: The Concert Hall Meets the Music Hall
Wednesday, November 11, 12:10 pm
Grace Church, White Plains
Frank Morelli, bassoon
Nenad Ivović, piano
Music of Brahms, Gershwin, Bernstein, Ellington, Weill, and more.
What we call classical music was the popular music of its day. And popular music now is mostly shaped by classical conventions. Frank Morelli and Nenad Ivović bring the music of Bernstein, Weill, Gershwin, and yes, Brahms and Ellington, wherein the genres are blurred and the dots become connected.
This concert is offered free of charge with a donation suggested at the door to support Downtown Music.
Influencers
Sunday, March 14, 2:00 pm
Crawford Mansion, Rye Brook
Gregg August, bass
Todd Reynolds, violin
Christopher Oldfather, piano
Beethoven: Septet (composer's trio arrangement)
August: Los Tres Golpes
Clara Schumann: Andante from Piano Trio in G Minor
Her more famous husband Robert never composed a piano trio...until he heard wife Clara's astonishing work. Beethoven influenced himself, arranging his own widely lauded Septet for trio. As an award-winning composer including a 2020 Grammy nomination, Phil bassist Gregg August's work revels in the influence of Latin jazz. You will find yourself under the influence of magical music-making.
A Voice of One
Main Stage Series
Sunday, April 18, 3:00 pm
Purchase Performing Arts Center
Daniel Rachev, conducting
Haydn: Symphony No. 49 ("La Passione")
Vaughan Williams: The Lark Ascending
Beethoven: Symphony No. 7
La Passione was an accidental but convenient nickname for Haydn’s deep and dark 49th. Originally intended for the theater, it was slotted for performance during a holy week celebration at which all secular music was banned. Calling it La Passione kept the church happy for a week, and the rest of us astounded for another 250 years. Inspired by George Meredith’s poem The Lark Ascending, Vaughan Williams created a tonal tableau of brilliant color, soaring song, and spiritual freedom. If you are one of the 7.5 million people who have heard Alana Youssefian’s magnificent performance of Vivaldi’s Spring, you’ll instantly understand why she is meant for this music. Beethoven’s towering Seventh transcends everything we think about composers, symphonies, and classical music. Joyful, then somber, then giving way to a relentless, infectious energy that will move your body without you realizing it. Daniel Rachev’s incisive artistry and riveting presence captivates the orchestra and audience.
