Performances

Dmitri Dmitriyevich Shostakovich was a Russian pianist and composer of the Soviet period. This three-week festival —interpreting Shostakovich the man, Shostakovich the composer, and specific Shostakovich compositions— comprised three concerts at the National Gallery of Art, Dumbarton Concerts, and Georgetown University, as well as four film events at the National Gallery.

No other American composer straddles as many musical worlds. In the realm of popular song and jazz, Gershwin’s genius has long been celebrated. In the world of classical music, he was long marginalized as a “pops” composer —but no longer. PostClassical Ensemble explores “interpreting Gershwin” —the man and the music.

Manuel de Falla, Spain’s most famous composer, used Flamenco to revitalize Spanish music after a century of somnolence. El Corregidor y la Molinera (The Magistrate and the Miller’s Wife) is an early version of Falla’s beloved The Three-Cornered Hat and exemplifies the haunting cante jondo of Flamenco song and the dramatic exuberance of Flamenco dance. Choreographed by Spain’s renowned Ramón Oller, this new production –featuring dancers from Barcelona and New York– is part of the international celebration of Spain’s Spring 2010 Presidency of the European Union.