At the outset of a new year I took at glance at the performance calendar at PhilipGlass.com and saw that the first performance listed is of the Second Violin Concerto in Belgrade Serbia. In scrolling further down it seems in general that Europe is the place to be in this year, 2016 – the year before Philip Glass has a big anniversary year when he turns 80 in 12 months from now.
A sampling:
On February 29th, a new production of Arthur Miller’s The Crucible (set in Salem, MA – current home to Glass Notes) with a new score by Philip Glass will start previews on Broadway starring Soairse Ronan.
In London, the English National Opera after recent successes of Satyagraha (a production they revived three times which was sent to the Met opera and done in NYC in 2008 and 2011) as well as the 2014 production of The Perfect American will present a new production of Akhnaten from March 4th-18th.
From February 2-June 2 the Oldenburg Germany opera will present a new production of Satyagraha; Glass champions at the Netherlands Dance Theater will be presenting new ballets which include Glass’s Tirol Concerto and Symphony No.3 in and around The Hague from March 4-8.
The new Philharmonie in Paris is turning into something of a musical home for the music of Philip Glass. Last season both of Glass’s Bowie/Eno Symphonies were presented at the new concert hall, and recently his new African Orchestral Song-Cycle was done there as well. On March 9-10 the Labèque sisters and the Orchestre de Paris present the French premiere of the new Double Piano Concerto under Paavo Jarvi.
Around the same time at the most beautiful building ever erected, the National Ballet will be presenting a new work set to Glass’s “Four Movements for Two Pianos” at the Palais Garnier.
The Labèques then take their show on the road heading to Madrid – April 8-10 to rendezvous with Dennis Russell Davies and the Madrid Orchestra in an all-Glass program which features The Light, Double Piano Concerto, and my personal favorite Symphony No.8
Again, in France – the National Ballet and opera in Lyon begins a run of performances of the iconic Glass/LeWitt/Lucinda Childs collaboration DANCE starting on April 13th.
The indefatigable Labèques will present the Scandanavian premiere of the Double Piano Concerto on April 14-15 and we lead to a culminating performance in London on April 22 when the Bruckner Orchester Linz presents the UK Premiere of Symphony No.9.
Not withstanding tour dates for Philip Glass himself which will see him presenting the Complete Piano Etudes in Chicago, West Lafayette Indiana, a performance with Laurie Anderson at the Big Ears Festival in Knoxville Tennessee, Philip Glass and his ensemble will then head to Europe for a number of dates including performances of the Etudes, Powaqqatsi, Koyaanisqatsi and more.
As always, check out the performance calendar at PhilipGlass.com and stay tuned because the above-listed performancesare just the tip of the iceberg. It will surely be interesting to start hearing news about 2017 and Philip Glass’s 80th birthday year.
1 thought on “Glass Notes: The Year Ahead 2016 “EUROPE!””
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Looks like an interesting year for Glass’ music in Europe!
I’m looking forward to a performance of Akhnaten in March!