The Folger Shakespeare Library’s Early Music Ensemble in Residence returns with a pair of spring concerts at St. Mark’s Church on Capitol Hill. From March 4-6, they will explore the music of the first “Viennese school” – the court of Maximilian I – with a focus on works by 16th century composer Ludwig Senfl, performed in new arrangements by composer David Froom and featuring tenor Steven Soph. And from April 22-24, the Consort presents “Le Roman de Fauvel: Politics and Counterpoint in Medieval France,” which will feature a world premiere by composer Juri Seo. And for those who like to come to class prepared, log on to the online seminars offered on Wednesdays before each concert. Tickets available for online and in-person participation. Various times. St. Mark’s Episcopal Church, 301 A St. SE. folger.edu. $35 in person.
The Cathedral Choral Society originally planned to present “I Have Something to Say” in 2020 as a reflection on the centennial of the 19th Amendment. Two years and a pandemic later, the context of the right to vote is particularly charged, as are the three world premieres of the program by Augusta Read Thomas, Lisa Bielawa and Jessie Montgomery (whose play imagines a dialogue between Greta Thunberg and Sojourner Truth). Bielawa’s work, “Vote’s Litany,” is based on the work of artist Sheryl Oring, who, like Bielawa, employs the public as both instrument and medium. Oring will stage his “I Wish To Say” installation in the nave of Washington’s National Cathedral, where attendees can dictate their own postcard to send to the White House. The program also includes a pair of pieces by composer and suffragist Dame Ethel Smyth and organ works by Nadia Boulanger performed by Renée Anne Louprette. March 13 at 4 p.m. Washington National Cathedral, 3101 Wisconsin Ave. NW. cathedralchoralsociety.org. $10 to $93.
The Grammy-nominated self-directing chamber orchestra will travel to Dumbarton Oaks on April 3 for “Then and Now,” an extensive program of classic and contemporary fare. A trio of concertos by Bach, Stravinsky and Barber harmonize with contemporary pieces by Caroline Shaw, Jessie Montgomery and the world premiere of a new commission from 2021 early-career Dumbarton Oaks musician David Crowell, honoring the 75th anniversary concerts at Dumbarton Oaks. (The following Sunday, April 10, Dumbarton Oaks hosts Sandbox Percussion.) April 3 at 4 p.m. Dumbarton Oaks, 1703 32nd St. NW. afarcry.org, doaks.org. Ticket prices to be determined.
Fairfax Symphony Orchestra
On March 12, Russian pianist Sofya Gulyak joins the FSO under the musical direction of Christopher Zimmerman for a program of Tchaikovsky’s Piano Concerto No. 1 and Brahms’ Third Symphony. And on April 23, pianist Simone Dinnerstein (who recently released her third pandemic album, “Undersong”) joins the orchestra to play Beethoven’s Piano Concerto No. 5 (“Emperor”) as well as Symphony No. °2 by Rachmaninoff and the regional premiere of “White Heron” by Robert Carl. Performances begin at 8 p.m. George Mason University Center for the Arts, 4374 Mason Pond Dr., Fairfax. fairfaxsymphony.org. $45 to $70.
The vast majority of in-person tickets for the Phillips Collection spring concerts sold out in January. But the museum has countered the limited capacity of its storied music room by offering each of its Sunday concerts live. Among the highlights of March/April: Jupiter Ensemble presents an all-Vivaldi program on March 6; countertenor Anthony Roth Costanzo gives a recital on March 20 (a replacement program following the cancellation of the Shanghai Quartet) and the violin and marimba duo Vision Duo (Ariel Horowitz and Britton-René Collins) offers a contemporary program enhanced by Collins’ arrangements of Ella Fitzgerald and Astor Piazolla on April 24. Live streams start at 4 p.m. phillipscollection.org. $15 virtual tickets ($10 for members).
Annapolis Symphony Orchestra
The ASO, led by Music Director José-Luis Novo, kicks off its new in-person concerts at the Strathmore Music Center with a mini-festival of great romantic concertos. On March 6, violinist Vadim Repin performs Shostakovich’s First Violin Concerto as well as works by Michael Abels, Gabriela Lena Frank and Strauss’ “Rosenkavalier Suite”. The series continues on April 10 with Spanish Peruvian violinist Leticia Moreno performing Mendelssohn’s Violin Concerto and concludes on May 8 with Russian pianist Olga Kern performing Tchaikovsky’s First Piano Concerto. Concerts start at 3 p.m. Music Center at Strathmore, 5301 Tuckerman Lane, North Bethesda. annapolissymphony.org, strathmore.org. $10 to $64.
Alexandria Symphony Orchestra
Music Director James Ross conducts a program of Bach (the Brandenburg Concerto No. 6 in B flat major and the Violin and Oboe Concerto in C minor), Vivaldi (the Concerto in B minor for four violins) and a pair of tangos from ‘Astor Piazzolla (“Summer” and “Spring” from his “Four Seasons of Buenos Aires” at St. Paul’s Episcopal Church in Alexandria on March 19. Violinist Dylana Jenson joins the orchestra for the violin concerto by Samuel Barber, as well as Brahms’ First Symphony and a work by Baltimore Symphony Orchestra percussionist Brian Prechtl, April 23 at the Rachel M. Schlesinger Concert Hall and Arts Center, and April 24 at the George Washington Masonic Memorial . Various times. alexsym.org. $5 to $85.
The contemporary ensemble of Folger Consort co-director Christopher Kendall returns to St. Mark’s Episcopal on April 9 for “Perpendicular Expression,” an adventurous and decidedly contemporary program featuring a world premiere by composer Hilary Tann, as well as only music from the Kennedy Center’s up-and-coming composer. Carlos Simon residency, Jamaican composer and pianist Eleanor Alberga, and a pair of pieces by Paul Schoenfield. April 9 at 5 p.m. (pre-concert discussion begins at 4 p.m.). St. Mark’s Episcopal Church, 301 A St. SE. 21stcenturyconsort.org. Free.
