It’s finally cooled down enough to sit outside without drowning in the salty waters of your own sweat. That means DC audiences have a fleeting opportunity to enjoy, rather than endure, the outdoors with the National Symphony Orchestra this weekend. The orchestra will perform two free concerts at the Carter Barron Amphitheatre at 16th and Colorado Ave Friday and Saturday nights at 7:30pm. 

 

Friday night’s concert will be lead by the National Symphony’s Associate Conductor, Emil de Cou—one of the country’s foremost maestros who has been vocal about his frustration with what he calls the "perceived snobbery" of classical music and the fine arts. This concert promises to be different from others for many reasons, as De Cou revealed that he takes advantage of the creative license he has at summer shows like these to introduce an element of surprise to the performances. Tomorrow’s show, “An Evening of Tchaikovsky”   brings a taste of Russia to DC’s Rock Creek Park, featuring works such as Swan Lake, Euegene Onegin, and a violin concerto from The Seasons performed by Russian-native, Natasha Bogachek, who one can assume mastered Tchaikovsky during her studies at the Moscow State Tchaikovsky Conservatory.

Even though the next night, “American Originals,” is all-American, the program is diverse, opening with the mischievous overture to Bernstein’s comic operetta, Candide, and providing a taste of Copland’s contemporary masterpiece, El Salon Mexico.  The show will end with a crowd-pleaser, Williams’ “Adventures on Earth,” from E.T.   Damon Gupton, Assistant Conductor of the Kansas City Symphony, will be leading the show that features 20-year-old violinist, Elena Urioste—whose lyrical and commanding performances one hates to love, as she makes her fellow 20-somethings feel comparatively unaccomplished.   

 

 The most intriguing part of both evenings may be the musical instrument “petting zoo.”  Little description of this musical segment is given, other than to “bring kids.”  However, I doubt that it’s a requirement.  Instead, it sounds like this is your chance to show off your rusty band camp skills or discover a hidden talent for the tambourine.   Come early and find out at 6:45pm.  Seating begins at 7pm on a first-come, first-serve basis.