Upcoming

insidious the movie

The Seattle Symphony is in the home stretch of their holiday season programming. Their annual performance of Handel’s Messiah begins this week. The SSO’s Messiah doesn’t get talked about as much by music folks in town, but with Benaroya’s excellent acoustics and the orchestra at the top of their game these days, it is a Messiah worth looking into.

The other event coming up for the Seattle Symphony is their annual New Year’s Evening performance/party. As is the New Year’s tradition around these parts Gerard Schwarz and the orchestra play Beethoven’s Symphony No.9. Along with this justly famous masterpiece, the orchestra is also playing music by Johann Strauss Sr. and John Phillip Sousa. And, if Beethoven, Strauss, and Sousa aren’’t enough, the Seattle Seahawk’s Blue Thunder drumline will also be playing a few pieces with the orchestra.

When the music is done, there is champagne and deserts to help give the celebration a sweet touch. No plans for New Year’s Eve? I would check out the Seattle Symphony.

Here’s a clip of Blue Thunder playing at the SSO Day of Music earlier this year.

On the 22nd, Orchestra Seattle and the Seattle Chamber Singers play Bach’s series of cantatas for the season – the Christmas Oratorio. To my knowledge Shangrow and his orchestra are the only ones in town who play the Christmas Oratorio with come regularity.

Finally, the Tudor Choir and Seattle Baroque play Handel’s Messiah on the 20th – period style. This Messiah contrasts nicely with what I am sure will be a modern performance of the same piece at Benaroya Hall.

Even in these waning days of 2008, there is still a good amount of excellent music to be heard around Seattle.