The Philadelphians: Migrations That Made Our City: Philadelphia has been shaped by a long history of diverse cultures and traditions. In The Philadelphians, the Chamber Orchestra explores the populations that migrated to and influenced the city, uncovering a unique, shared identity. Audiences will experience two periods in time, a contrast of colonial-era early music with new works that look back on Philly’s history. Along with junto-style discussion groups, period performance and modern interpretations will connect the audience with those who created the cultural landscape.

Who is Philadelphia? What can we learn from our heritage, and how will our city be changed by new waves of immigrants? Join us as we examine our ancestry through music and discover how we came to be Philadelphians.

The 2018-2019 season’s focus is African American and English Colonial Experience with the first performance by The Chamber Orchestra of Philadelphia: Origins & Diaspora on Wednesday, October 17 at 7:30 p.m. The program will include West African musical traditions and influences in classical music.

This will be a unique, interactive chamber music experience with members of The Chamber Orchestra of Philadelphia. Performing in the round, host Jim Cotter will provide background and insight on each work and lead conversations with the musicians between pieces. The performance concludes with a casual audience Q&A. Tickets: https://tickets.annenbergcenter.org

The Portland Cello Project makes its Annenberg Center Debut at 8 p.m. on Saturday,  October 20, performing Radiohead’s OK Computer and more. Cellos and Radiohead were meant to collide, and the results are seriously epic. Portland’s premiere alt-classical group, complete with brass, percussion and vocals, pays tribute to Radiohead with a unique spin on music from the band’s OK Computer album and other favorites. “Every piece is treated with equal sincerity and arranged not just to invoke the original but deconstruct and re-imagine its essence.” (Seattle Times) Expect an evening “where boundaries are blurred and cellos are in abundance.” (The Strad)

Soul Songs: Inspiring Women of Klezmer will have a world premiere on Sunday, October 28 at 4 p.m.—a one-night-only special event—where 12 women will be breathing contemporary life into the centuries-old tradition of Eastern European Jewish folk music at Annenberg Center’s Zellerbach Theatre. The brainchild of fourth generation klezmer musician and concert artistic director Susan Watts, this performance was created from the world-renowned trumpeter’s concern for the future of her art and appreciation of every individual involved.

“Soul Songs is about the old and new intertwined,” said Ms. Watts, a 2015 Pew Fellow. “It is future provoking, intuitive, grass roots. Soul Songs is about these women’s musical journeys, their artistry and their discernment to use the force of adversity to their gain. It is the klezmer of today and a prelude to future possibilities for the art and the communities it nurtures.” Soul Songs will feature new compositions, written and performed by three generations of women who bring contemporary meaning to this traditional music. Major support has been provided to the Philadelphia Folklore Project by The Pew Center for Arts & Heritage.

Tickets: https://tickets.annenbergcenter.org