Classical Music Choices This Weekend

This weekend offers a number of interesting things, depending somewhat on where you are or whether you like to drive.

The Mercury Trio, consisting of Harvey Thurmer, violin; Natasha Farny, cello; and Gary Hammond, piano; will give a recital on the UT Campus--Performance Hall 32 in the Alumni Memorial Bldg at 8 p.m. They are scheduled to perform works of Franz Schubert, Maurice Ravel, and Johannes Brahms.

Soprano Jessica Cates, an up-and-coming singer seen regularly in UT Opera Theatre productions, will offer her graduate vocal recital at the UT Music Building at 8 p.m.

The Knoxville Symphony Chamber Orchestra will be joined by pianist David Northington for Mozart's Piano Concerto No. 9. For commentary on why I'm now calling this the "Jenamy" concerto, read my post here.  Also on the concert is Beethoven's Symphony No. 4 and Haydn's Symphony No. 16. The concert is at the Bijou Theatre at 2:30 p.m.

If you are in Oak Ridge, or don't mind the drive, the Knoxville Opera Company will present a free Community Concert that should not be missed. The concert will feature a treasure-trove of great voices and operatic works from upcoming productions--but the intriguing draw is Rachele Gilmore, who will be singing Lucia in Knoxville Opera's production of Donizetti's Lucia di Lammermoor next month. Read my post on her appearance last month at the Metropolitan Opera or "The Highest Note Sung At the Met?". The concert venue is the beautiful Oak Ridge High School Performing Arts Center at 3 p.m.

Pianist Kevin Class and violinist Miroslav Hristov will offer a faculty recital in Performance Hall 32 in the Alumni Memorial Building on the UT Campus at 8 p.m. They will be performing two Sonatas for piano and violin by Robert Schumann.

Alan Sherrod serves up a big plate of nourishing commentary on the Knoxville classical music and fine arts scene.