Monday, September 19 —James Stephenson
Leading American orchestras, instrumentalists, and wind ensembles around the world have performed the music of Chicago-based composer James Stephenson. The goal in his Symphony No. 3 was to write music that he could envision bringing colleagues, patrons, and conductors to the edge of their seats, eager to play and experience.
Music
Symphony No. 3, Visions by James Stephenson
Tuesday, September 20 — Artemisia
Chicago-based vocal trio Artemisia (Diana Lawrence, Alexandra Olsavsky, Kaitlin Foley) harnesses the power of the female voice to tell stories through the vocal traditions of the world. Praised for “sincerity, wit, and mind-blowing technique” (Vocal Arts Chicago), Artemisia brings diversity and accessibility to their programming.
Music
Hodie aperuit by Hildegard of Bingen
Agnus Dei, Traditional Corsican
Wednesday, September 21 — Dame Myra Hess Memorial Concert: Mixed Media
Mixed Media is a saxophone quartet from Athens, Georgia, which challenges preconceptions about chamber music performance through an improvisational sound and exploration of non-conventional music. They were the winners of the Gold Medal at the 2022 Fischoff National Chamber Music Competition.
Music of Eugène Bozza, Viet Cuong, George Frideric Handel, David Salleras Quintana, and Jennifer Higdon
Thursday, September 22 — Matthew Lipman
American violist Matthew Lipman has been praised by the New York Times for his “rich tone and elegant phrasing,” and by the Chicago Tribune for a “splendid technique and musical sensitivity.” Lipman has come to be relied on as one of the leading players of his generation, frequently appearing as both a soloist and chamber music performer.
Music
Metamorfose by Clarice Assad
Friday, September 23 – Impromptu Encore: George Li
Praised by the Washington Post for combining “staggering technical prowess, a sense of command, and depth of expression,” pianist George Li possesses brilliant virtuosity and effortless grace far beyond his years. He captured the Silver Medal at the 2015 International Tchaikovsky Competition and was the recipient of the 2016 Avery Fisher Career Grant. Li was WFMT’s guest on Impromptu in 2018.