For
all the diversity and almost limitless depth that the Boston music scene has
to offer, one genre seems to be set at a distance from the pack, perhaps even
somewhat exclusively: classical music. This is not the result of a callous,
stingy elite steadfastly withholding beautiful music from the masses, but
rather the natural consequence of ensemble performance and the endemic constraints
it incurs.
Enjoying live classical music-in the Boston area or anywhere else-requires
advance planning ahead, just as a full ensemble performance of classical music
itself requires, forethought. (There's always the chance, however, that you
might one day stumble upon a three-piece jazz take on a Mozart Sonata in Harvard
Square. It happens.) So what do you do if your aim is to tantalize your aural
senses with Tchaikovsky or soak in some Chopin?
Symphony Hall, Boston's own bastion of the baroque, offers the most obvious
solution, but for those with an attentive eye, plenty of other classical music
venues abound. It's all a matter of when you look, since although most area
performance halls accommodate a wide variety of events and functions, some
will go months on end without hosting a classical music ensemble. Vigilance
is key, as that hard-sought evening of music by your favorite composer can
easily slip right under your nose. The following are a few tips for finding
classical music performances in the Boston area.
·
One of the distinct advantages that our region boasts for music lovers-or
anyone looking to immerse themselves in cultural experiences, for that matter-is
a bustling local academia. Be sure to keep abreast of what's going on at each
of the area colleges-student ensembles and orchestras frequently put on performances
that are open to the public and, more often than not, free of charge. Check
schools' art department Web sites for frequently updated schedules.
· Musicals and ballets can yield their own fair share of symphonic
bliss, and you will find both in plentiful supply inside the majestic sprawl
of the Wang Theater (Tremont Street). The Nutcracker recently finished a run
here, and Swan Lake is set to captivate audiences in May.
· Consider the area's two conservatories as a source of classical performances.
On a nearly weekly basis, the Boston Conservatory features faculty recitals
as well as performances courtesy of its ensemble, orchestra, and chamber players.
Similarly, the New England Conservatory of Music has been known to host such
luminaries as Arthur Rubinstein, Pablo Casals, and Yo-Yo Ma at Jordan Hall,
a building renowned by musicians and aficionados alike for its splendid acoustics.
Regardless
of the composer you adore the most or the ensemble of the performers you prefer
above all others, remember that tracking down live classical music experiences
in and around Beantown requires only that you keep your eyes-and ears-open.
