The National Philharmonic will spotlight Claude Debussy (1862-1918) during a festival this May at the Music Center and Mansion at Strathmore in North Bethesda, Maryland. The festival opens on May 5 with Music Director Piotr Gajewski leading Prelude to the Afternoon of a Faun; Fantaisie for Piano and Orchestra, with soloist Brian Ganz; La Mer; and Rhapsody for Clarinet and Orchestra, with soloist Richard Stoltzman. National Philharmonic Chorale Artistic Director Stan Engebretson will lead Debussy’s massive The Martyrdom of St. Sebastian on May 19, with sopranos Audrey Luna and Rosa Lamoreaux; mezzo-soprano Linda Maguire; and the National Philharmonic Chorale. Strathmore Hall Foundation CEO Eliot Pfanstiehl will narrate. Pianist Katie Mahan will give a recital on May 10 featuring the composer’s Deux Arabesques, Estampes, L’isle joyeuse, and Préludes Livre II; and on May 17 chamber musicians from the National Philharmonic will perform the Piano Trio in G Major, Cello Sonata in D minor, Violin Sonata in G minor, and String Quartet in G minor.
Posted April 11, 2012
