PROGRAM

Nkeiru Okoye Movements for String Quartet
Chen Yi Shuo for String Quintet
Francis Poulenc Trio for Oboe, Bassoon and Piano
Adolphus Hailstork "Detroit" Piano Quintet

FEATURING

Ashley Horne, Violin
Claire Chan, Violin
William Frampton, Viola
Wayne Smith, Cello
Anthony Morris, Double Bass
Hassan Anderson, Oboe
Alexander Davis, Bassoon
Lydia Brown, Piano
David Berry, Piano

*Editors note: this concert program will also take place on Friday September 24, 2021. See link below for info and tickets to either event.

SWAN SONG combines a contemporary string quartet by prolific composer Adolphus Hailstork with the unforgettable Schubert cello quintet. Schubert's final work of chamber music is often regarded as one of the finest compositions of the art form.

With the rare instrumentation of a full standard string quartet plus an additional cello, this compelling work is a favorite of many chamber music lovers. Plus, hear living composer Adolphus Hailstork's beautiful Adagio for Strings, a contemporary addition to the wonderful adagio tradition. The Parker Quartet and Marcy Rosen perform.

PROGRAM

Franz LISZT, arr. Müller-Berghaus Hungarian Rhapsody No. 2

Michael TORKE SKY (Concerto for Violin)*
I. Lively;
II. Wistful;
III. Spirited
Tessa Lark, violin

William DAWSON Negro Folk Symphony
I.The Bond of Africa;
II. Hope in the Night;
III. O, Le’ Me Shine, Shine Like a Morning Star!

CONDUCTOR
Mei-Ann Chen

GUEST ARTIST
Tessa Lark, violin

*Chicago Premiere

On SKY: “The balance between the worlds of classical and vernacular music is masterly: one can bet that this work will soon be imposed as a classic of literature for violin and orchestra.” — Filippo Focosi, Kathodik

Chicago Sinfonietta’s 34th season begins with a dynamic concert drawing on the deep connections of community through works grounded in folk music. The rhythmic spontaneity and seductive expression of Franz Liszt’s Hungarian Rhapsody No. 2 opens the concert, followed by violinist Tessa Lark’s compelling energy in Michael Torke’s SKY, a fusion inspired by Irish reel and American bluegrass. The evening closes with American composer William Dawson’s Negro Folk Symphony, a Chicago Sinfonietta signature piece informed by traditional spirituals.

September 18, 2021 at 8:00 pm | Wentz Concert Hall
September 20, 2021 at 7:30 pm | Symphony Center

Approximately 70 mins, no intermission

PROGRAM

Franz LISZT, arr. Müller-Berghaus Hungarian Rhapsody No. 2

Michael TORKE SKY (Concerto for Violin)*
I. Lively;
II. Wistful;
III. Spirited
Tessa Lark, violin

William DAWSON Negro Folk Symphony
I.The Bond of Africa;
II. Hope in the Night;
III. O, Le’ Me Shine, Shine Like a Morning Star!

CONDUCTOR
Mei-Ann Chen

GUEST ARTIST
Tessa Lark, violin

*Chicago Premiere

On SKY: “The balance between the worlds of classical and vernacular music is masterly: one can bet that this work will soon be imposed as a classic of literature for violin and orchestra.” — Filippo Focosi, Kathodik

Chicago Sinfonietta’s 34th season begins with a dynamic concert drawing on the deep connections of community through works grounded in folk music. The rhythmic spontaneity and seductive expression of Franz Liszt’s Hungarian Rhapsody No. 2 opens the concert, followed by violinist Tessa Lark’s compelling energy in Michael Torke’s SKY, a fusion inspired by Irish reel and American bluegrass. The evening closes with American composer William Dawson’s Negro Folk Symphony, a Chicago Sinfonietta signature piece informed by traditional spirituals.

September 18, 2021 at 8:00 pm | Wentz Concert Hall
September 20, 2021 at 7:30 pm | Symphony Center

Approximately 70 mins, no intermission

Benjamin Baker, violin
Brian Hong, violin and co-artistic director
Jordan Bak, viola
Alexander Hersh, cello and co-artistic director
Stefán Ragnar Höskuldsson, flute
Kristina Bachrach, soprano

Augusta Read Thomas, composer and emcee

Program

Upon Wings of Words

Amy Beach: Theme and Variations for flute and string quartet
Augusta Read Thomas: Upon Wings of Words (Emily Dickinson Settings) for soprano and string quartet
—World Premiere
Alma Mahler: Five Lieder (1910) for soprano and string quartet (arr. Cliff Colnot)

Lara Downes, piano
Rachel Barton Pine, violin
Ifetayo Ali-Landing, cello
Members of the Chicago Sinfonietta

Program

Rising Sun: Migration and Renaissance

Tracing the journey, physical and metaphorical, of the Great Migration and the creative flowering of the Chicago Black Renaissance, this program features music—by artists whose work and lives were transformed by the journey north—that tells stories of migration and metamorphosis, trial and triumph, courage, creativity, and collaboration.

Margaret Bonds: The Bells and Troubled Water from Spiritual Suite
Margaret Bonds: “Dream Variations” from Three Dream Portraits
William Grant Still: Summerland from Three Visions
Nora Holt: Nora’s Dance
Florence Price: Sketches in Sepia
Florence Price: Andante con espressione
William Grant Still: Gamin from Suite for Violin and Piano
Florence Price: Piano Quintet in A minor
Lil Hardin Armstrong: “Just For a Thrill” (arr. Jeremy Siskind)
Sam Cooke: “A Change Is Gonna Come” (arr. Jeremy Siskind)

Enjoy live music by local artists at our beautiful, outdoor venue. We encourage guests to bring a blanket, pack a picnic, and BYOB!

ABOUT OUR MUSICIANS:

Brianne Sargent has been performing since she was 5 years old, starting with piano and percussion. At age 11, she took up the violin, viola, and cello. She began playing the bass during her senior year in college. Although classically trained, she plays more jazz, R&B, gospel and experimental music. Brianne performs with Skinny Cooks, Serenata Strings, McKinney Philharmonic Orchestra, Melody Memory and The Polyphonic Spree.

Alex Moreno (Viola) is currently a UNT masters student in the jazz performance track. He has been involved in the local recording and performance scene for several years, and has branched out into several styles and musical groups.

With numerous world tours, performances and masterclasses, Eugen Kim (Violin) has built her career in classical music, contemporary improvisation, and jazz scenes around the world. Kim is currently a doctoral student in jazz performance at University of North Texas.

This event is a co-presentation with Front Yard Concerts.

PROGRAM

Piazzolla (arr. Steven Verhelst) Suite from Maria de Buenos Aires for Brass and Percussion
Valerie Coleman Suite: Portraits of Josephine
Victor Wooten La Lección Tres*
*World Premiere, Chicago Sinfonietta Commission

CONDUCTOR
Mei-Ann Chen

GUEST ARTIST
Victor Wooten, Bass

Chicago Sinfonietta closes its 2020-2021 season with a finale that honors the voice of the people in its many forms, tracing the line of stories told across time and place. Merging the present with the past, the orchestra presents a mesmerizing closing season concert. The orchestra welcomes back Grammy award-winning bassist and prized collaborator Victor Wooten for the commissioned world premiere of La Lección Tres, a merging of music and philosophy moved forward in exuberant bass lines. The orchestra marks the centenary of Astor Piazzolla's birth with an arrangement of the catchy Suite from his Tango Opera, Maria de Buenos Aires, followed by Valerie Coleman's musical portrayal of entertainer and activist Josephine Baker's life.

Experience QuinTango and experience the stories, the culture, and the exhilaration of tango!

* Due to the easing of Covid restrictions on indoor gatherings, this concert will be held indoors, in the beautiful sanctuary at Grace Church in The Plains! Face masks required.*

This is tango like you’ve never imagined it: classical chops, jazz harmonies, and intimate arrangements written for the group by outstanding composers in Buenos Aires. ‘Chamber tango’ is the result of this musical alchemy, a middle ground that draws in lovers of both classical and non-classical music to experience the fullness of life—the stories, the culture, and the exhilaration of tango.

A joyous concert to come together after a challenging year to celebrate the season and our talented musicians. Featuring soloist Rafael Galvan-Herrera, and a brilliant composition by student-composer Kailyn Williams.

Please join us for our first in-person concert of the 2020-21 Season! With Special Guests: The Quintessentials & Furioso String Quartet. Compositions by Astor Piazzola, Antonio Vivaldi, Carlos Simon, Kailyn Williams, Luigi Boccherini, and more.

Date and Time:
Wed, Jun 2, 2021, 7:00 PM ET
Location:
The Woodland
60 Woodland Road 
Maplewood, NJ 07040

Cellist  Anita Graef joins us for an intimate performance of Bach's Cello Suite no. 2 in d minor and a conversation about the piece.