Monday, May 31 — St. Charles Singers, Elgin Symphony Orchestra
In 2008, the St. Charles Singers and Elgin Symphony Orchestra collaborated on an all-Copland album. They recorded his two sets of Old American Songs, originally for voice and piano, but heard here transcribed for chorus and orchestra.
Music
Old American Songs, Set 2 by Aaron Copland
Tuesday, June 1 — Karen Walwyn, New Black Music Repertory Ensemble
Florence Price was highly visible as a teacher, performer, and organizer in Chicago in the early 20th century. Her Piano Concerto was premiered here in 1934 with Price herself as pianist. There is no evidence of the piece being performed after the 1930s, and there are no copies of the composer’s manuscript of the orchestral score. Composer Trevor Weston was commissioned to reconstruct the concerto’s orchestration in order to revive this deserving work.
Music
Piano Concerto by Florence Price
Wednesday, June 2 — Dame Myra Hess Memorial Concert: Marguerite Lynn Williams
Marguerite Lynn Williams is the principal harpist of the Minnesota Orchestra and the Lyric Opera of Chicago Orchestra. An avid chamber musician, Williams is a founding member of the Chicago Harp Quartet, International Chamber Artists, and La Folia.
Music
Thursday, June 3 — North Shore Chamber Music Festival
The North Shore Chamber Music Festival was founded in 2010 by violinist Vadim Gluzman and pianist Angela Yoffe in a quest to provide Chicago’s North Shore with high-caliber musical experiences within an intimate and welcoming environment. In 2018, the Festival Ensemble performed at Village Presbyterian Church in Northbrook.
Music
Serenade for Strings in C major, Op. 48 by Peter Ilyich Tchaikovsky
(Photo: Shervin Lainez)
Friday, June 4 – Impromptu Encore: Aizuri Quartet
Praised by The Washington Post for “captivating” performances, the Aizuri Quartet was awarded the Grand Prize at the 2018 M-Prize Chamber Arts Competition. The quartet visited WFMT’s Levin Studio for a live performance in January 2020.
Music
Music of Ludwig van Beethoven, Carlo Gesualdo, and Franz Joseph Haydn
