June 9th would have been the opening of the Washington Square Music Festival’s 62nd season in Washington Square Park. Due to COVID-19 the performances cannot take place in the Park this summer, so they have had to come up with a virtual alternative!

Tune in here each week for pre-recorded performances, courtesy of the Washington Square Music Festival, which will feature WSMF musicians and performances, produced in 2020. All videos can also be found on youtube.

June 30th – The New York Jazzharmonic performs a transcription of an arrangement of Fletcher Henderson’s from 1929

From Jazzharmonic Leader, Ron Wasserman: The New York Jazzharmonic is proud to present this world-premiere video of a transcription of an arrangement of Fletcher Henderson’s from 1929. Fletcher Henderson, along with Duke Ellington, was one of the early bandleaders of jazz who defined how the music was going to sound through the Swing Era, and even into the big bands of today. When he wasn’t leading his own band, he was in demand as an arranger for the Benny Goodman Orchestra, among many others. He was one of the unsung heroes of jazz history.

June 23rd – Eriko Sato (violin) and David Oei (piano) perform Steven Christopher Sacco’s Air

Washington Square Music Festival Featured performers Eriko Sato (violin) and David Oei (piano) offer Steven Christopher Sacco’s Air. 

June 16th – Amy Kang (cello), Lutz Rath (cello) & Nicholas Danielson (violin) perform Michael Haydn’s Divertimento

Three Washington Square Music Festival Featured performers offer Haydn’s Divertimento in C Major as a diversion in the time of COVID.

June 9th – Mélanie Genin (harp), Laila Salins (narrator), & Catherine Gregory (flute) perform a selection from Claude Debussy’s Les Chansons de Bilitis

Translation and arrangement for English narration, flute and harp by Mélanie Genin (world premiere). This performance celebrates the opening of the virtual 2020 season for the Washington Square Music Festival. Shot in 2018, it is a nostalgic reminder of performing in Washington Square.