The Philadelphia Orchestra Announces New Concert Series: Orchestra After 5

Featuring curated pre-concert experiences, hour-long concerts with video close-ups and engaging on-screen guides, themed cocktails, and post-concert conversations with musicians of the Orchestra

 

(Philadelphia, October 23, 2023)—The Philadelphia Orchestra announces a new concert series, Orchestra After 5, taking place right after the workday on three Thursdays throughout the 2023–24 season: February 1, April 4, and May 2, 2024. Featuring classical concerts in a casual atmosphere, the series puts a modern twist on the traditional Orchestra experience. Audiences will gain a new perspective on the concert experience through live video close-ups of the conductors and soloists at work projected on a large screen behind the Orchestra. Engaging informational content about the music will also be highlighted on the screen, providing context to the works as they are performed. In addition, audiences will enjoy pre-concert activities beginning at 5:00 PM, light bites and happy hour cocktails provided by Garces, and post-concert conversations with musicians of the Orchestra and guest artists. Tickets for the Orchestra After 5 series start at $21. Pre-sale tickets are available now, and tickets will go on sale to the public on Friday, October 27.  

“The Philadelphia Orchestra is always evolving and devising creative, new entry points for audiences,” said Matías Tarnopolsky, president and CEO of The Philadelphia Orchestra and Kimmel Center, Inc. “We look forward to sharing this experience to spark more excitement about classical music, The Philadelphia Orchestra, and our fantastic guest conductors and soloists.” 

Performances will include a pairing of Vivaldi’s The Four Seasons and Piazzolla’s The Four Seasons of Buenos Aires, led by Xian Zhang and featuring Concertmaster David Kim as soloist (February 1); András Schiff serving as conductor and soloist for Haydn’s Piano Concerto in D major and Mozart’s Piano Concerto No. 27 (April 4); and Leif Ove Andsnes performing Rachmaninoff’s Piano Concerto No. 3 under the baton of Lahav Shani (May 2).  

                                                                                                                          

Orchestra After 5: Strings and Tango  

February 1 at 6:30 PM—Thursday evening—Verizon Hall at the Kimmel Center for the Performing Arts  

Xian Zhang Conductor  
David Kim Violin  

Vivaldi/Piazzolla The Four Seasons/The Four Seasons of Buenos Aires  

Astor Piazzolla reimagined The Four Seasons, Vivaldi’s Baroque masterpiece, with the vibrant dance rhythms of his home country of Argentina. This centuries-spanning montage is a brilliant showcase for Philadelphia Orchestra Concertmaster David Kim, hailed for his “scintillating, silken tone” (New York Classical Review).  

Just as Astor Piazzolla reimagined the seasons, join us as we reimagine an evening with Your Philadelphia Orchestra. The new Orchestra After 5 concert series offers bite-sized concerts after your workday. The evening also features engaging pre-concert activities, themed cocktails, and casual conversations with the Orchestra’s own GRAMMY^®-winning musicians. Classical concerts with a casual vibe—a new Thursday tradition.    

                                                                                                                          

Orchestra After 5: Haydn and Mozart Power Hour  

April 4 at 6:30 PM—Thursday evening—Verizon Hall at the Kimmel Center for the Performing Arts 

András Schiff Conductor and Piano  

Haydn Piano Concerto in D major  

Mozart Piano Concerto No. 27  

“Listening to Schiff play is like looking into a running stream and seeing all the colorful, round pebbles beneath the water” (San Jose Mercury). Who better than this virtuoso to perform a pair of beloved piano classics on our exuberant Orchestra After 5 series? Mozart and Haydn have never sounded so good.   

The new Orchestra After 5 concert series offers bite-sized concerts after your workday. The evening also features engaging pre-concert activities, themed cocktails, and casual conversations with the Orchestra’s own GRAMMY-winning musicians. Classical concerts with a casual vibe—a new Thursday tradition.     

                                                                                                                          

Orchestra After 5: Rachmaninoff’s Keys of Fire  

May 2 at 6:30 PM—Thursday evening—Verizon Hall at the Kimmel Center for the Performing Arts 

Lahav Shani Conductor  
Leif Ove Andsnes Piano  

Rachmaninoff Piano Concerto No. 3  

Rachmaninoff’s Piano Concerto No. 3 is one of the most challenging works in the repertoire, demanding sensitivity as well as stamina. Norwegian pianist Leif Ove Andsnes conquers this piece effortlessly with his “easy virtuosity and panache” (The New York Times) in this special performance on our Orchestra After 5 series.  

While Rachmaninoff’s Concerto is known for being mysterious and complex, it is no mystery that spending some time with us after a long day at work is the perfect way to unwind. The new Orchestra After 5 concert series offers bite-sized concerts after your workday. The evening also features engaging pre-concert activities, themed cocktails, and casual conversations with the Orchestra’s own GRAMMY-winning musicians. Classical concerts with a casual vibe—a new Thursday tradition.