Spring Arts 2024: Music

Bonnie Raitt brings her “Just Like That Tour” to The Lyric in May. (Provided photo)

Enjoy this compilation of some of our favorite upcoming musical performances around town this spring.

Handel’s Israel in Egypt

Sunday, April 7, 4 p.m.
Baltimore Hebrew Congregation
7401 Park Heights Ave., Pikesville
baltimorehebrew.org

One of the finest choral pieces ever written, Handel’s Israel in Egypt conveys the remarkable story of the Israelites’ exodus from Egypt. The oratorio’s messages remain relevant today.

American Landscape

“Music for Cello and Piano by American Composers” Amit Peled, cello, Solomon Eichner, piano
Tuesday, April 9, 7:30 p.m.
Gordon Center for Performing Arts
3506 Gwynnbrook Avenue, Owings Mills
gordoncenter.com

Baltimore’s own Amit Peled and Baltimore native Solomon Eichner will perform works by iconic American composers George Gershwin, Aaron Copland, Florence Price and Samuel Barber.

Beethoven Symphony Number 2

Thursday, April 18, 7:30 p.m.
Meyerhoff Symphony Hall
1212 Cathedral St., Baltimore
bsomusic.org

Part of conductor James Conlon’s “Recovered Voices” series — an initiative of the Los Angeles Opera that brings to light compositions by artists whose music was silenced by the Nazis — this concert includes a rare performance of the “Lyric Symphony” by Jewish composer Alexander von Zemlinsky. Performed by opera greats soprano Melody Moore and baritone Lucas Meachem.

By George — By Gershwin

Thursday, April 18, 7:30 p.m.
Gordon Center for Performing Arts
3506 Gwynnbrook Ave., Owings Mills
gordoncenter.com

The Gordon Center celebrates the centennial anniversary of George Gershwin’s classic “Rhapsody in Blue, as well as “Porgy and Bess,” in this musical revue featuring the talents of renowned pianist Tom Pandolfi, Metropolitan Opera bass/baritone Kevin Short, rising opera star Jouelle Roberson, jazz bassist Tom Baldwin, pianist/tenor R. Timothy McReynolds and Gershwin specialist/soprano Carolyn Black-Sotir.

Baltimore Old Time Music Festival

Friday and Saturday, April 19-20
Baltimore Museum of Industry
1415 Key Highway, Federal Hill
baltimoreoldtimefest.com

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The fifth annual Baltimore Old Time Music Festival will be held this year at the Baltimore Museum of Industry. Enjoy this joyous, interactive and inspiring celebration of the music rooted in the fiddle, banjo and harmonica traditions of this region, as well as ballad singing, country song, flatfoot dance and square dancing. The festival is hosted by the father-son musical roots duo of Ken and Brad Kolodner.

Brad and Ken Kolodner
Since 2009, Baltimore-based roots musicians Brad and Ken Kolodner have performed around the country as a duo and with their quartet, Charm City Junction. (Photo by Steve Ruark)

Se: Um Korean Jazz-Folk Fusion

Friday, May 10, 7:30 p.m.
Creative Alliance
3134 Eastern Ave., Highlandtown
creativealliance.org

This musical collective performs an intoxicating mix of traditional Korean music and jazz that you won’t soon forget.

Bonnie Raitt: Just Like That Tour

Wednesday, May 29, 8 p.m.
The Lyric
140 W. Mount Royal Ave., Baltimore
lyricbaltimore.com

The title song for the Raitt’s 18th album “Just Like That” won the Grammy Award for “Best Song of the Year” in 2023. Lucky Baltimore fans will have the chance to hear that tune and many others when the legendary singer-songwriter graces the stage of the Lyric this spring. Let’s give ’em somethin’ to talk about!

Stanley Clarke N 4EVER

Wednesday and Thursday, May 15-16, 7 p.m.
Keystone Korner
1350 Lancaster St., Baltimore
keystonekornerbaltimore.com

Grammy-winning bassist/composer Stanley Clarke has performed and recorded with the likes of Chick Corea, Horace Silver, Art Blakey and Stan Getz. Grab this opportunity to see him perform live with his new ensemble.

Shostakovich Symphony No. 8

Saturday, June 8, 8 p.m.
Meyerhoff Symphony Hall
1212 Cathedral St., Baltimore
bsomusic.org

Conducted by Baltimore Symphony Orchestra Music Director Jonathon Heyward, Shostakovich’s wartime masterpiece reveals the composer’s resistance against Stalin’s ruthless domination of the Soviet Union. This concert also includes The Trumpet Concerto by Shostakovich’s protégé — Polish-Jewish musician Mieczysław Weinberg (a.k.a. Moisey Vainberg) — featuring trumpet player Andrew Balio.

Pixies and Modest Mouse

Friday, June 14, 6:30 p.m.
Merriweather Post Pavilion
10475 Little Patuxent Parkway, Columbia
merriweathermusic.com

Indie rock veterans Pixies and Modest Mouse influenced the alt-rock scene for decades. They co-headline this blast from the past. With special guest Cat Power!

Motown & More: The Legacy Lives

Sunday, June 16, 7:30 p.m.
Gordon Center for Performing Arts
3506 Gwynnbrook Ave., Owings Mills
gordoncenter.org

“Shop Around.” “Ain’t No Mountain High Enough.” “What’s Going On.” “You Can’t Hurry Love.” “Papa Was a Rollin’ Stone.” Some music just never seems to get old. Get to the Gordon Center to get your groove on to these Motown classics and more.

Motown & More
Catch “Motown & More: The Legacy Lives” at the Gordon Center in June.
(Provided photo)
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