Best Places To Get Your Classical Music Fix In The Pittsburgh Area
Listening to classical music may be an old form of entertainment, but in Pittsburgh, this musical genre is alive and well. From concerts at Heinz Hall, to relaxed outdoor venues, to listening to live streaming classical music at home, there are ways to listen to classical music in Pittsburgh that appeal to the most experienced of listeners and those who are new to the genre. Here are the top five ways to get your classical music fix in the city.
Pittsburgh Chamber Music Society
Concert Venues Vary
(412) 624-4129
www.pittsburghchambermusic.org
A form of classical music characterized by a small group of musicians playing classical music, chamber music is meant to be listened to among small groups of friends and the Pittsburgh Chamber Music Society strives to bring this art form to Pittsburgh. If a typical concert hall seems stuffy, check out some of the concerts performed by this organization. This summer alone, the Pittsburgh Chamber Music Society is sponsoring classical music concerts in the chamber music style by the Harlem Quartet, Brooklyn Rider and Julien Labro and the Spektral Quartet. See the concert calendar for details and ticket information.
Bach, Beethoven and Brunch Concert Series featuring Cello Fury
Mellon Park
5th Ave. and Shady Ave.
Pittsburgh, PA 15232
(412) 255-2493
www.pittsburghpa.gov/citiparks
Date: Sundays, June 16 through Aug. 11 at 10:30 a.m.
On Sunday, July 28 at 10:30 a.m., the wildly popular Bach, Beethoven and Brunch Concert Series will be hosting Cello Fury, a group of three cellists and a drummer. Cello Fury mixes classical music with rock-styling to introduce a whole new audience to music by the great classical composers. The Bagel Factory will be the onsite food vendor but bringing your own picnic basket is also encouraged (but please keep your basket alcohol-free as Mellon Park is a public space). If you can't make it on July 28 to see classical and rock music meet, plan to attend any of the brunch concerts from June 16 through August 11. As always, the event is free.
River City Brass Band
Westminster College
319 S. Market St.
New Wilmington, PA 16142
(724) 946-7100
www.rivercitybrass.org
Date: July 3 at 7:30 p.m.
The River City Brass Band began taking the area by storm in the 80s with its boisterous performances of classics. Now, the group travels the country, introducing classical music fans to reinterpretations of classics in big brass style. On July 3 at 7:30 p.m., RCB travels to Westminster College, just an hour north of Pittsburgh, to put on a free concert at the Brittain Lake Stage. Settle in for an evening of music that will be punctuated by a fireworks display to help concert goers get into the spirit for the 4th of July.
Related: Best Outdoor Concerts To Look Forward To This Summer In Pittsburgh
Pittsburgh Symphony Orchestra
Heinz Hall
600 Penn Ave.
Pittsburgh, PA 15222
(412) 392-4900
www.pso.culturaldistrict.org
A trip to Heinz Hall to hear the Pittsburgh Symphony Orchestra perform is a must for any music lover. With a wide variety of performances on the concert calendar, there is a show that will appeal to everyone. The BNY Mellon Grand Classics Concerts start up in October and run through next June, featuring classical favorites like Vivaldi's Four Seasons, a Mozart Festival and Beethoven. Get acquainted to Heinz Hall by attending a summer concert or two performed by the Pittsburgh Symphony. A highlight of the out-of-the-ordinary summer performances is The Music of Led Zepplin with the Pittsburgh Symphony Orchestra.
Sally Turkovich Wright lives in her beloved city of Pittsburgh with her husband, Jason and German Shepherd, Zeus. She is a policy analyst by training, an eyewear stylist by trade and an amateur healthy-living advocate by choice. She also writes a column for Twoday Magazine. Catch up with her there at twodaymag.com. Her work can be found at Twodaymag.com.
