Masaaki Suzuki
New Season Brings Best of Early Music, Jazz, Dance, More!
The Harriman‑Jewell Series’ 62nd season opens a portal to a universe of early‑music legends, jazz giants, world-class dancers, and celebrated classical artists, who will illuminate Kansas City’s concert halls.
Artistic Director Clark Morris says the thrill of shaping a new season never fades.
“It’s a joy to program and launch the 62nd season,” he said. “I’ve had the blessing to experience 36 seasons of the Harriman-Jewell Series, and my anticipation and excitement continues to grow with each year.”
The season opens Oct. 9 with cellist Alisa Weilerstein and pianist Inon Barnatan, a duo whose musical chemistry fires up critics and audiences. Stars of American Ballet follow on Oct. 23 with a program highlighting their superb artistry.
November offers theatrical and early‑music brilliance: Patrick Page in All the Devils Are Here Nov. 5 and 6. Les Arts Florissants led by their Music Directors, Paul Agnew and William Christie, the group’s esteemed founder, will present The Magic of Monteverdi Nov. 19. You can celebrate the holidays in style with the The Swingles on Dec. 16.
The new year begins with the Monteverdi Choir and English Baroque Soloists led by acclaimed Bach specialist Masaaki Suzuki in Bach’s St. Matthew Passion Feb. 18. On March 9 it’s the Jazz at Lincoln Center Orchestra with Wynton Marsalis. Marsalis has announced that he’s stepping down as Artistic Director of the orchestra in March 2027, so this is an opportune time to catch this beloved artist.
The Series will celebrate St. Patrick’s Day with an evening of Irish music March 17 with the Martin Hayes Quartet, Thomas Bartlett, and Ye Vagabonds.
Classical artists don’t get much bigger than Chinese pianist Lang Lang, who will give a recital April 13, and the National Symphony Orchestra with Gianandrea Noseda and violinist Ray Chen will perform April 23.
The season concludes May 7 with the incomparable singer and actress Audra McDonald, who has won six Tony Awards, two Grammys and an Emmy.
For Morris, the arts are a gateway to something much larger than mere entertainment. “Part of the magic of the performing arts is that they unlock another dimension of understanding of the human experience,” he said.
And we are grateful to the Harriman-Jewell Series for offering us the key.
For more information, visit www.hjseries.org.
