sightupdate

Music

"The Cleveland Orchestra's Holiday & Other Weekly Classical Picks"

2024-12-12

This week in the world of classical music, there's a diverse range of events to explore. From the dramatic "Messiah" performances by Apollo's Fire to the numerous holiday concerts by the Cleveland Orchestra and other ensembles, there's something for every music lover.

Uncover the Magic of Classical Music This Week

Christmas Music Galore

Apollo's Fire is bringing Jeanette Sorrell's unique take on George Frideric Handel's "Messiah" back to life. Originally intended for Eastertime, this production is a must-see. Three of the four period instrument performances have sold out, but there may still be seats available for the Thursday, 12th at St. Raphael in Bay Village. Check here for more information.

The Cleveland Orchestra's dozen "Holiday Concerts" led by Sara Hicks and featuring vocalist Jimmie Herrod with the Cleveland Orchestra Chorus began on Wednesday, 11th and continue through Sunday, 22nd. These concerts offer a variety of experiences, including matinees and performances with the Orchestra's Youth Chorus Chamber Ensemble and the Chorus of The College of Wooster. Check here for availability.

Holiday Pops and More

Christopher Wilkins leads the Akron Symphony's Holiday Pops concert on Friday at 7:30 in E.J. Thomas Hall on the Akron University campus. It's a festive event filled with holiday cheer.

Victor Liva will conduct a pair of concerts by the Cleveland Philharmonic on Saturday at 7:30 in CSU's Waetjen Auditorium and on Sunday at 3:00 at Westlake Performing Arts Center. The program includes Christmassy and wintry works by Samuel Coleridge-Taylor, Archangelo Corelli, Ralph Vaughan Williams, Leopold Mozart, Sergi Prokofiev, and Nicolai Rimsky-Korsakov.

Seasonal Events on Sunday

At 3 pm, around 60 singers, handbell players, instrumentalists, children's voices, and the 100-rank Schanzt organ will perform Candlelight Carols at Fairmount Presbyterian. It's a beautiful and enchanting event.

At 4 pm at St Noel in Willoughby Hills, a bell choir and instrumentalists will feature Gustav Holst's "Fantasy on Christmas Carols."

And at 7 pm, NOVA - Northwest Ohio Vocal Arts - will present "Songs of Wonder: The Nativity Through the Ages" with music by Josquin, Jan Pieterszoon Sweelinck, Tomás Luis de Victoria, and Max Reger at Church of the Saviour in Cleveland Heights.

Not-So-Seasonal Programs

CityMusic Cleveland kicks off its December Orchestra Series on Thursday, 12th at 7:30 at Fairmount Presbyterian. John McLaughlin Williams conducts and Sibbi Bernhardsson solos in Wolfgang Amadé Mozart's Violin Concerto No. 3. The main event is Ludwig van Beethoven's Symphony No. 7. The concert repeats on December 13 at 7:30 at St. Noel in Willoughby Hills, on December 14 at 7:30 at the Shrine Church of St. Stanislaus, and December 15 at 4:30 at Our Lady of the Angels in Rocky River.