illustration by Prest Design
American Icons Usher in Harriman-Jewell Series Season
For the Harriman-Jewell Series return to Helzberg Hall and the Muriel Kauffman Theatre, you just knew it would pull out all the stops.
After an achingly long absence from presenting performances on the Kauffman Center’s grand stages due to the pandemic, the Series will launch its 57th season this fall with icons of American classical music: violinist Joshua Bell, soprano Renée Fleming, and the Boston Pops conducted by Keith Lockhart.
“We’re ready to crank it up and get going,” said Clark Morris, executive and artistic director of the Harriman-Jewell Series.
And so, apparently, are Kansas City’s music lovers. Morris says that season ticket sales for 2021–2022 are better than expected.
“I think the pandemic has created this pent-up anticipation, and it’s given us an appreciation for how special it is to be in a concert hall and see the world’s greatest artists,” he said.
Starting off the season is violinist Joshua Bell. Since making his debut with The Philadelphia Orchestra at the age of 14, Bell has demonstrated an extraordinary ability to connect with audiences. His charisma combined with a rich, lustrous string sound has made him one of America’s most popular musicians.
On Oct. 2 at Kauffman Center’s Helzberg Hall, Bell will make his seventh appearance on the Series. His first was in 1997.
“We’ve watched Joshua Bell grow up,” Morris said. “We’ve been fortunate to present him with some regularity through the years.”
Bell will be joined by pianist Alessio Bax, who the Series first introduced to Kansas City on a free Discovery Concert in 2010. Bax previously performed with Bell on a Series concert in 2017.
The Boston Pops and conductor Keith Lockhart will be making a third appearance on the Series Oct. 29 at the Kauffman Center’s Muriel Kauffman Theatre.
“The Boston Pops always sell out, and the tickets are hard to get,” Morris said. “Keith Lockhart is incredibly charismatic and has the audience in the palm of his hand throughout the entire performance.”
Featuring music by revered film composer John Williams, Keith Lockhart and Boston Pops On Tour will be an especially hot ticket. Expect to hear selections from movie blockbusters Harry Potter, E.T. the Extra-Terrestrial, Raiders of the Lost Ark, Star Wars and many more.
“It’s going to be familiar music — music our audience will have stories and emotions associated with through the films,” Morris said. “I think it will be very exciting.”
Soprano Renée Fleming is another superstar who has a unique rapport with her audience. She was first presented by the Harriman-Jewell Series in 1993, and her recital Nov. 18 at Helzberg Hall will mark her fifth Series appearance.
“Renée is in such good form, but I selfishly worry how many more times she’s going to come to Kansas City and do a recital,” Morris said. “She has so many things going on in her life, many of them outside of singing. She’s a great thinker and speaker and intellectual.”
One of Fleming’s current passions is exploring the effect of music on physical and mental health. In fact, the day before her recital, she will lead a presentation and panel discussion titled “Music and the Mind” at the University of Kansas Medical Center in Battenfeld Auditorium. Visit HJSERIES.ORG for event and reservation details.
“Scientists and practitioners will talk about the intersection of art and neuroscience and health,” Morris said. “Renée will lead a discussion on the impact that music and the arts have on the development of children, as well as healthy aging, pain management and rehabilitation. It’s an opportunity to do education with Renée in a very special way with our community.”
For the Harriman-Jewell Series return to Helzberg Hall and the Muriel Kauffman Theatre, you just knew it would pull out all the stops.
After an achingly long absence from presenting performances on the Kauffman Center’s grand stages due to the pandemic, the Series will launch its 57th season this fall with icons of American classical music: violinist Joshua Bell, soprano Renée Fleming, and the Boston Pops conducted by
Keith Lockhart.
“We’re ready to crank it up and get going,” said Clark Morris, executive and artistic director of the Harriman-Jewell Series.
And so, apparently, are Kansas City’s music lovers. Morris says that season ticket sales for 2021–2022 are better than expected.
“I think the pandemic has created this pent-up anticipation, and it’s given us an appreciation for how special it is to be in a concert hall and see the world’s greatest artists,” he said.
Starting off the season is violinist Joshua Bell. Since making his debut with The Philadelphia Orchestra at the age of 14, Bell has demonstrated an extraordinary ability to connect with audiences. His charisma combined with a rich, lustrous string sound has made him one of America’s most popular musicians.
On Oct. 2 at Kauffman Center’s Helzberg Hall, Bell will make his seventh appearance on the Series. His first was in 1997.
“We’ve watched Joshua Bell grow up,” Morris said. “We’ve been fortunate to present him with some regularity through the years.”
Bell will be joined by pianist Alessio Bax, who the Series first introduced to Kansas City on a free Discovery Concert in 2010. Bax previously performed with Bell on a Series concert in 2017.
The Boston Pops and conductor Keith Lockhart will be making a third appearance on the Series Oct. 29 at the Kauffman Center’s Muriel Kauffman Theatre.
“The Boston Pops always sell out, and the tickets are hard to get,” Morris said. “Keith Lockhart is incredibly charismatic and has the audience in the palm of his hand throughout the entire performance.”
Featuring music by revered film composer John Williams, Keith Lockhart and Boston Pops On Tour will be an especially hot ticket. Expect to hear selections from movie blockbusters Harry Potter, E.T. the Extra-Terrestrial, Raiders of the Lost Ark, Star Wars and many more.
“It’s going to be familiar music — music our audience will have stories and emotions associated with through the films,” Morris said. “I think it will be very exciting.”
Soprano Renée Fleming is another superstar who has a unique rapport with her audience. She was first presented by the Harriman-Jewell Series in 1993, and her recital Nov. 18 at Helzberg Hall will mark her fifth Series appearance.
“Renée is in such good form, but I selfishly worry how many more times she’s going to come to Kansas City and do a recital,” Morris said. “She has so many things going on in her life, many of them outside of singing. She’s a great thinker and speaker and intellectual.”
One of Fleming’s current passions is exploring the effect of music on physical and mental health. In fact, the day before her recital, she will lead a presentation and panel discussion titled “Music and the Mind” at the University of Kansas Medical Center in Battenfeld Auditorium. Visit HJSERIES.ORG for event and reservation details.
“Scientists and practitioners will talk about the intersection of art and neuroscience and health,” Morris said. “Renée will lead a discussion on the impact that music and the arts have on the development of children, as well as healthy aging, pain management and rehabilitation. It’s an opportunity to do education with Renée in a very special way with our community.”
For complete details about upcoming performances, visit HJSERIES.ORG or call 816-415-5025.
–Patrick Neas
