Monday, August 8 — Lita Grier
Native New Yorker and now longtime Chicagoan, Lita Grier won early recognition as a composer. She was awarded First Prize in the New York Philharmonic Young Composer’s Contest at age sixteen. The work is still in performance today, along with her sonata for flute and piano, composed at age nineteen, which Julius Baker described as “a new classic in the standard flute repertory.”
Music
Flute Sonata by Lita Grier
Tuesday, August 9 — Jory Vinikour
Recognized as one of the outstanding harpsichordists of his generation, Jory Vinikour has cultivated a highly-diversified career that takes him to the world’s most important festivals, concert halls, and opera houses as recitalist and concerto soloist, partner to many of today’s finest instrumental and vocal artists, coach, and conductor.
Music
Chaconne in G major by George Frideric Handel
Wednesday, August 10 —Dame Myra Hess Memorial Concert: Matthieu Cognet
French pianist Matthieu Cognet is an active soloist and sought-after chamber player who performs extensively in Europe and the United States. He has appeared in major venues and festivals, including Weill Hall at Carnegie Hall, Steinway Hall, Rushmore Music Festival, Memphis in May Festival, and Prades Festival (France).
Music of Robert Schumann, Frédéric Chopin, Claude Debussy, and George Gershwin
Thursday, August 11 — Rush Hour Concert
Now a beloved summer tradition, the Rush Hour Concert Series brings 13 weeks of free, world-class chamber music to Chicago, every Tuesday, June through August during the evening rush hour at St. James Cathedral. The July 19 concert featured two French works for piano and winds.
Music
Sextet in C minor, Op. 40 by Louise Farrenc
Friday, August 12 – Impromptu Encore: Miriam Fried and Musicians from Ravinia’s Steans Institute
The Steans Music Institute is Ravinia’s summer conservatory. Talented young musicians from around the world gather to make music together under the supervision of an internationally renowned faculty. In this Impromptu from 2012, Kerry Frumkin welcomed director Miriam Fried with violinist Tessa Lark, violist Ayane Kozasa, cellists Deborah Pae and Nathan Vickery, and pianist Adam Golka.