What We’re Hearing This Month: Classical Music Picks for June

The concert season may be winding down for the summer, but Seattle’s classical music scene is as busy as ever. This month’s crop of concerts is full of world premieres, making it a great time to experience new music.  There are also plenty of offerings for those looking for tried-and-true favorites. Celebrate the beginning of summer with live, fresh, and local music!

June 1 – 10 — Pacific Northwest Ballet presents Léo Delibes’ cherished classic Coppélia, with choreography by the legendary Alexandra Danilova and George Balanchine. PNB’s gorgeous, pastel-hued sets and costumes are the icing on the cake.

June 8 & 9 — Hear the Seattle Choral Company perform Rachmaninov’s Vespers at Saint Mark’s Cathedral — a gorgeous, atmospheric setting for one of the composer’s choral masterpieces.

June 14 – 17 — The Seattle Symphony pays tribute to American music. Pianist Stephen Hough joins the orchestra for Rachmaninov’s great Piano Concerto No. 3, which was written while the composer was living in the United States. Also on the program are works by American legends Leonard Bernstein and Charles Ives.

June 19 — A local favorite since his tenure as principal cellist of the Seattle Symphony, Joshua Roman has remained a strong force in the Seattle music community. This time, he’s taking over Town Hall with an all-cello ensemble, performing Piazzolla, Strauss, Villa-Lobos, and a new work by composer Mason Bates.

June 21 – 30 — Fresh, edgy, and occasionally controversial, Donald Byrd and Spectrum Dance Theater return with the world premiere of Love, a new work set to Benjamin Britten’s Cello Suites. The company will be joined by cellists Denise Djokic and Wendy Sutter for six performances at Daniels Recital Hall.

June 23 — Members of the Parnassus Project continue their mission to bring live chamber music to the bars, cafes, and gathering places around the Puget Sound region. This month, they’ll perform at the Tully’s Flagship Store downtown, a comfy and convenient spot to enjoy an afternoon of classical music.

June 28 — The Harvard Trio performs works for clarinet, cello, and piano at the Chapel Performance Space at Wallingford’s Good Shepherd Center. The program blends new works with treasured favorites, including John Ireland’s Trio for Clarinet, Cello, and Piano in D Major.

June 29 — Contemporary music ensemble The Box Is Empty performs at the Century Ballroom, featuring new works by composers from near and far, including Michel van der Aa,  Scott Gendel, Nat Evans, and Amy Beth Kirsten. Several of these performances will be world premieres, making this an excellent opportunity to experience the cutting edge of contemporary classical music.