January 18, 2022
(NORTH BETHESDA, MD) — National Philharmonic presents four season concerts this February and March at The Music Center at Strathmore in North Bethesda, MD and the new Capital One Hall in Tysons, VA. Music Director Piotr Gajewski leads two of these programs—one featuring Gustav Holst’s epic suite The Planets, in partnership with NASA Goddard, on February 6 at Strathmore and February 13 at Capital One Hall; and another highlighting the world premiere of Adolphus Hailstork’s oratorio, A Knee on the Neck, on March 26 at Strathmore and March 28 at Capital One Hall. Grammy Award-winning vocalist Ms. Lisa Fischer joins the orchestra, led by Principal Pops Conductor Luke Frazier, to perform an eclectic set of popular songs on March 11 at Strathmore. In addition, pianist Brian Ganz continues his odyssey through the works of Frédéric Chopin with a solo recital on February 26 at Strathmore, presented as part of National Philharmonic’s 2021-22 season.
Holst’s The Planets
in collaboration with NASA Goddard
Piotr Gajewski, conductor
Sunday, February 6, 2022 at 3:00 pm at The Music Center at Strathmore
Sunday, February 13, 2022 at 3:00 pm at Capital One Hal
Travel to the reaches of space as National Philharmonic and Maestro Piotr Gajewski partner with NASA Goddard for an otherworldly performance of Holst’s The Planets. Visit the fiery red planet, joyful Jupiter, and the serene sights and sounds of Venus in this unique collaboration of science and art.
Program:
Claude Debussy, La Mer
Gustav Holst, The Planets, Op. 32
Chopin: Breaking the Rules
Brian Ganz, piano
Saturday, February 26, 2022 at 8:00 pm at The Music Center at Strathmore
Pianist Brian Ganz continues his quest to perform the complete works of the great Romantic composer Frédéric Chopin. This evening of masterworks includes several of Chopin’s intricate and nuanced mazurkas, the hauntingly beautiful Nocturne in C-Sharp Minor, and much more, performed with Ganz’s signature artistry and authenticity.
Program:
Contredanse in G-Flat Major, Op. Posth.
Mazurka in B-Flat Major, Op. Posth.
4 Mazurkas, Op. 30
No. 1 in C Minor
No. 2 in B Minor
No. 3 in D-Flat Major
No. 4 in C-Sharp Minor
Waltz in E Minor, Op. Posth.
Waltz in F Minor Op. 70, No. 2
Waltz in D-Flat Major Op. 70, No. 3
Waltz in D-Flat Major, Op. 64, No. 1 (“Minute” )
Polonaise in D Minor, Op. 71, No. 1
Polonaise in A-Flat Major, Op. 53 (“Heroic”)
Nocturne in C-Sharp Minor, Op. Posth. (“Lento con Gran’ Espressione”)
2 Nocturnes, Op. 32
No. 1 in B Major
No. 2 in A-Flat Major
Ballade No. 2 in F Major, Op. 38
Scherzo No. 2 in B-Flat Minor, Op. 31
An American Classic: Ms. Lisa Fischer
Luke Frazier, conductor
Ms. Lisa Fischer, vocalist
Friday, March 11, 2022 at 8:00 pm at The Music Center at Strathmore
Ms. Lisa Fischer returns to The Music Center at Strathmore under the direction of Luke Frazier for a performance of pop favorites with the National Philharmonic Orchestra. Ms. Fischer’s remarkable range and captivating performance “tends to be intimate, artful and almost meditative… but she also can cut loose and funk with fierceness and rock with abandon” (Minneapolis Star Tribune).
America’s Requiem – A Knee on the Neck
Piotr Gajewski, conductor
Eugene Rogers, chorus master
with National Philharmonic Chorale and members of The Washington Chorus and The Howard University Chorale
Janai Brugger, soprano
J’Nai Bridges, mezzo soprano
Norman Shankle, tenor
Kenneth Overton, baritone
Saturday, March 26, 2022 at 8:00 pm at The Music Center at Strathmore
Monday, March 28, 2022 at 7:30 pm at Capital One Hall
America’s Requiem commemorates the life and tragic loss of George Floyd with the world premiere of Adolphus Hailstork’s A Knee on The Neck, composed around the backbone of the poetry of Dr. Herbert Martin and performed by the National Philharmonic Orchestra & Chorale under the direction of Maestro Piotr Gajewski, along with members of The Washington Chorus and The Howard University Chorale, plus featured vocalists J’Nai Bridges, Normal Shankle, and Kenneth Overton. The program concludes with Mozart’s seminal Requiem in D Minor, also featuring soprano Aundi Marie Moore.
Program:
Adolphus Hailstork, A Knee on The Neck (World Premiere)
Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart (Süssmayr), Requiem in D Minor, K. 626
Programs, artists, dates, prices, and availability subject to change.
Ticket Information
Tickets ($45–$99) are available online at nationalphilharmonic.org for concerts at Strathmore and capitalonehall.com for concerts at Capital One Hall. Kids 17 and under can attend National Philharmonic performances for free through the All Kids. All Free. All the Time. initiative.
Health and Safety Protocols
All guests at any indoor National Philharmonic events at any location will need to be fully vaccinated with the Pfizer, Moderna, or Johnson & Johnson vaccine, and must show proof of vaccination with their ticket upon entry to the theater. These policies will be evaluated regularly based on updated community health data, public safety best practices, and government guidance.
Unvaccinated patrons without medical exemption, including children not yet eligible for the vaccine, will not be permitted to attend National Philharmonic performances. National Philharmonic will not accept proof of negative test. Please note that this may differ from the policies of individual venues.
In addition to vaccine protocols, patrons will be required to wear masks in the venue and through the duration of National Philharmonic performances.
About the National Philharmonic
Celebrated for showcasing world-renowned guest artists in time-honored symphonic masterpieces, National Philharmonic continuously strives to create remarkable educational opportunities in the community while promoting diversity and representation in classical music.
National Philharmonic is an accessible, enriching component in the Greater Washington D.C. Metropolitan Area, believing that music has the power to spark imagination and shape the world around us. As the only organization with a united orchestra and chorus in the region, over the years National Philharmonic has expanded its footprint beyond its home at Strathmore, with year-round masterclasses along with Summer String and Summer Chorale Institutes for youth, armed services programs, and partnerships with community organizations. In addition to these programs, National Philharmonic fosters a love of music in young people across the region by offering free admission to all children between the ages 7 to 17 years old.
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