Area orchestras forging ahead in 2010-11 despite shaky economy
August 10, 2010
The sputtering economy does not appear to have seriously dampened the artistic plans of Chicago-area classical music organizations. If anything, city and suburban symphony orchestras are adopting a full-speed-ahead stance, as their programs for the upcoming season suggest.
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Chamber group slates 'Sounds and Spaces' events
August 9, 2010
The Chicago Chamber Musicians will present two concerts for its third season of "Sounds and Spaces" events at historic homes in the metropolitan area. The series is given in partnership with the Chicago Architecture Foundation and other local organizations committed to historic preservation.
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Ryan Opera sounds off at other Grant Park festival
August 9, 2010
The Grant Park Music Festival over the weekend at the Harris Theater for Music and Dance answered the mighty roar of Lollapalooza just across the way with a songfest of its own. Call it Lyric-palooza.
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Some fine singing, but Ravinia's 'Figaro' no match for previous Mozart opera
August 8, 2010
"Figaros" are almost as plentiful in Chicago as the alibis of the city's politicians. Or so it has seemed in recent months.
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Raninia launches Mozart opera fest with a splendid 'Cosi Fan Tutte'
August 6, 2010
Mozart lovers might well believe they have died and gone to operatic heaven this weekend at Ravinia, where James Conlon is leading concert performances of two of the three Mozart masterpieces based on Lorenzo da Ponte librettos, "Cosi Fan Tutte" and "The Marriage of Figaro."
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Raninia launches Mozart opera fest with a splendid 'Cosi Fan Tutte'
August 6, 2010
Mozart lovers might well believe they have died and gone to operatic heaven this weekend at Ravinia, where James Conlon is leading concert performances of two of the three Mozart masterpieces based on Lorenzo da Ponte librettos, "Cosi Fan Tutte" and "The Marriage of Figaro."
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Nation's most diverse orchestra hires new conductor in synch with its mission
August 4, 2010
Another crack has opened in the glass ceiling of symphony orchestras in Chicago.
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Lively new music scene gets livelier with arrival of CSO's young resident composers
August 3, 2010
Hopes are running high following Riccardo Muti's appointment of Mason Bates and Anna Clyne, two of the freshest and most compelling voices of their generation, as the new composers in residence at the Chicago Symphony Orchestra.
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Lintu brings bracing energy
July 30, 2010
Once upon a time it was Germany that produced the most talented conductors. Now, it is Finland. Wednesday night's Grant Park Music Festival concert brought the return of Hannu Lintu, a dynamic Finnish conductor who's making a name for himself around the world, and for good reason.
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Conductor Lintu brings bracing energy to Grant Park program
July 29, 2010
Once upon a time it was Germany that produced the most talented conductors. Now, it is Finland. Wednesday night's Grant Park Music Festival concert brought the return of Hannu Lintu, a dynamic Finnish conductor who's making a name for himself around the world, and for good reason. The 42-year-old maestro is immensely assured on the podium and he knows how to put his mark on an orchestra, even on limited rehearsal, as was the case here.
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Mozart music is alive and well in Woodstock
July 29, 2010
Who needs to travel all the way to Salzburg to hear the music of Wolfgang Amadeus when you can catch quality Mozart right on Chicago's doorstep?
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James Conlon unearths worthy works from the rubble of Nazi Germany
July 28, 2010
Give James Conlon credit for paying attention to significant forgotten voices of 20th century European music, composers silenced by the Nazi regime or dislocated by the Second World War, who later were summarily consigned to the dustbin of history.
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Nally steps down from Lyric chorus post
July 27, 2010
Donald Nally, chorus master of Lyric Opera of Chicago since 2007, will leave the company following the 2010-11 season to concentrate on non-operatic choral conducting and new music.
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Fleming steals show at Ravinia birthday bash
July 26, 2010
The onset of tendonitis in his right shoulder on the eve of his weekend appearances at Ravinia put a damper on the festival's celebration of Christoph Eschenbach's 70th birthday. Fortunately, the condition sidelined him only from the piano bench. The German conductor took the podium as scheduled for concerts with the Chicago Symphony Orchestra on Saturday and Sunday.
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Matthias Goerne's Ravinia recital a feast for lieder lovers
July 23, 2010
Recitals such as the wonderful program of German lieder sung by Matthias Goerne on Thursday night in Ravinia's Martin Theatre are among the few instances when Ravinia drops its commercial persona long enough to impersonate a serious European music festival. Would that it would do so more often.
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Spirited revival of 'Arizona Lady' packs tunes as well as six-guns
July 21, 2010
Welcome to the Sunshine Ranch, where the cowpokes are cowpokes, the women are headstrong and horse thieves get thrown in the hoosegow before the all-singing, all-dancing ensemble gathers to reprise the big musical number.
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Beethoven concertos done proud by Osorio at Ravinia
July 16, 2010
Complete cycles of the Beethoven piano concertos have been as regular as rumbling Metra trains at Ravinia at least since the late 1970s. The latest pianist to venture the five concertos here is the accomplished Mexican-born musician Jorge Federico Osorio, who presented them in back-to-back concerts this week, with James Conlon conducting the Chicago Symphony Orchestra. The kickoff on Thursday night continued Ravinia's celebration of the 200th anniversary of Mexican independence.
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Conlon and CSO honor three icons of American music at Ravinia
July 14, 2010
This summer Ravinia is celebrating the anniversaries of three musical giants who almost singlehandedly defined American music for much of the previous century – Aaron Copland and Leonard Bernstein (who died 20 years ago) and Samuel Barber (born 100 years ago).
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A woman conductor on the Grant Park podium? Yes, and a most talented one
July 11, 2010
Professional opportunities for women conductors have increased dramatically over the last few decades, although barriers remain: Don't hold your breath for a female musician to take over any leading American orchestra anytime soon. Still, success stories such as that of Xian Zhang are encouraging. The gifted Chinese-American conductor made an impressive debut with the Grant Park Orchestra Friday night at the Jay Pritzker Pavilion in Millennium Park.
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Charming take on Gallic gems by Grant Park Chorus
July 8, 2010
The Chicago area is blessed with many fine choral organizations, but one that stands out from the pack, certainly in summer, is the group many listeners know only from its concerts with the Grant Park Orchestra — the Grant Park Chorus.
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William Mason to exit as head of Lyric Opera in 2012
July 7, 2010
Part of being a good chief executive is knowing when to retire gracefully, and William Mason always did have impeccable timing.
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William Mason to exit as head of Lyric Opera in 2012
July 7, 2010
Part of being a good chief executive is knowing when to retire gracefully, and William Mason always did have impeccable timing.
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At Ravinia, the world ends in glorious Wagnerian song
July 3, 2010
At a time when seemingly every major city on the planet is mounting a "Ring of the Nibelung" cycle, or planning to, Lyric Opera has elected to bide its time before embarking on another production of Richard Wagner's masterpiece. Which may be prudent, given the enormous costs involved as well as the dearth of international voices equipped to handle the fiercely demanding roles of the gods, goddesses, heroes and villains that populate the massive, daunting, 15-hour tetralogy.
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What makes a song patriotic?
July 3, 2010
Patriotic songs are the soundtrack of the American nation.
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'Golden' is delicious in world premiere at St. Louis Opera
July 1, 2010
Opera is far more than a pleasant diversion at the Opera Theatre of St. Louis – it is an art to be intelligently planned, carefully produced and diligently sold to an engaged public that apparently can't get enough of it during the six weeks in June that constitute OTSL's festival season. The company remains one of the best springboards in the nation for young Americans on the cusp of big careers.
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CSO gives Ohlsson room in Ravinia opener
June 30, 2010
The Chicago Symphony Orchestra came off rather like an absentee host at its own party on Monday when the CSO launched its 74th annual residency at the Ravinia Festival.
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CSO's 'Ode to Joy' also an ode to Haitink's distinguished tenure
June 19, 2010
Orchestras typically employ Beethoven's monumental Ninth Symphony, with its choral finale espousing universal brotherhood, as an act of dedication. On Friday it became an act of commemoration, honoring Bernard Haitink at the close of his distinguished four-year tenure as the Chicago Symphony Orchestra's principal conductor.
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Grant Park season of music gets off to a rousing start
June 18, 2010
Opening nights at the Grant Park Music Festival seldom get any better than this.
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No loss of momentum as CSO's Beethoven Festival enters final lap
June 16, 2010
From the beginning of his Beethoven symphony cycle with the Chicago Symphony Orchestra, Bernard Haitink did not strive to be "original" as much as to be true to his clear-headed vision of the composer's intentions. His performances thus far have proven how deeply the CSO shares in that vision and how strong is the bond of mutual respect they share.
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Piano, chamber concerts add depth to Beethoven Festival
June 15, 2010
I am pleased to see Beethoven's chamber music and solo piano works getting attention as part of the Chicago Symphony's Beethoven Festival. If two such concerts by rising young performers failed to equal the consistently high level of the orchestra's symphony cycle, there were numerous things to seize the mind and ear.
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Union cries foul at Harris Theater
June 14, 2010
A recent decision by the Harris Theater for Music and Dance to employ a student orchestra instead of professional musicians to accompany the upcoming run of performances by the Mark Morris Dance Group has struck a sour chord with Chicago's powerful musicians union.
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Back to nature with Haitink, CSO
June 12, 2010
Much as Bernard Haitink loves Chicago, you didn't catch him wearing a Blackhawks jersey while leading the Chicago Symphony Orchestra in the Stanley Cup-winning team's goal chant song, "Chelsea Dagger," at his concert Thursday night at Orchestra Hall. Not his style. After all, another triumphant local team was being celebrated on this occasion, along with another victorious hero: a guy named Beethoven.
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Grant Park promises a summer rich in musical adventure
June 9, 2010
While its fancy-priced competitor on the North Shore transforms itself ever more cynically into what appears to be a pop cafeteria offering classical music as a side dish, the Grant Park Music Festival is staying on mission.
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Tunes top cornball plot in 'Maria'
June 7, 2010
There are two elements at war in "Maria la O," the Cuban zarzuela that received its Chicago professional premiere Saturday at the Athenaeum Theatre, courtesy of Chamber Opera Chicago.
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CSO gives Beethoven works, outgoing conductor Haitink its all
June 4, 2010
Beethoven's music has nearly always turned art and commerce into the best of bedfellows. With its three-week Beethoven Festival, which began Wednesday night at Symphony Center, the Chicago Symphony Orchestra has found an appropriate means of honoring Bernard Haitink at the close of his tenure as principal conductor, while ending the subscription season with the merry jingle of the cash register.
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CSO gives Beethoven works, outgoing conductor Haitink its all
June 4, 2010
Beethoven's music has nearly always turned art and commerce into the best of bedfellows. With its three-week Beethoven Festival, which began Wednesday night at Symphony Center, the Chicago Symphony Orchestra has found an appropriate means of honoring Bernard Haitink at the close of his tenure as principal conductor, while ending the subscription season with the merry jingle of the cash register.
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A girl named Maria sings to an Afro-Cuban beat
June 2, 2010
I'm not holding my breath waiting for it to happen, but I'd love to see a major revival of the music of Ernesto Lecuona.
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A girl named Maria sings to an Afro-Cuban beat
June 2, 2010
I'm not holding my breath waiting for it to happen, but I'd love to see a major revival of the music of Ernesto Lecuona.
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CSO launches Beethoven Festival
May 29, 2010
Ludwig van Beethoven. For many people, his name means classical music. The German composer whose powerful likeness scowls at us from innumerable book and record jackets is the most popular composer of all time, if not the greatest. (Sorry, Bach and Mozart.) Symphony orchestras could hardly exist without his music, and the solo instrumental, chamber and choral repertory would be much the poorer.
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Neglected Chicago virtuoso gets his due from CSO
May 27, 2010
The Orchestra Hall politics of the Daniel Barenboim era prevented the Chicago Symphony Orchestra from paying attention to the abundantly gifted Mexican pianist Jorge Federico Osorio until practically everybody else did. Despite the fact that Osorio and his family have long called Highland Park home, eight years had to pass between his previous solo engagement with the CSO at Symphony Center and his appearances at this week's subscription concerts.
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Rutter, St. Charles Singers a fine match in British choral works
May 24, 2010
John Rutter became a fan of the St. Charles Singers after accepting founding artistic director Jeffrey Hunt's invitation to conduct the choir in the early 1990s.
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Bychkov takes CSO audience on absorbing journey from darkness to light
May 21, 2010
The spirit of Dmitri Shostakovich walks the corridors of Orchestra Hall. Just last week the Chicago Symphony Orchestra premiered a new cello concerto that used the Russian master's Soviet works as a point of spiritual departure. Another Shostakovich sighting came on Thursday night when Semyon Bychkov and the CSO introduced a piece written in his memory by the contemporary German composer Detlev Glanert.
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Is Williams the next leader of the Chicago Sinfonietta?
May 18, 2010
The most prominent podium up for grabs in the area at the moment is the Chicago Sinfonietta's. A search for a new music director has been underway since last year when Paul Freeman, the orchestra's founder and chief conductor since 1987, announced he will step down for health reasons at the close of the 2010-11 season.
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'Dudamania' hits Chicago. But is all the hype over Los Angeles' new maestro justified?
May 16, 2010
The Los Angeles Philharmonic sounds like an orchestra that's out to impress. A high-octane publicity machine is flaunting the orchestra's new music director, Gustavo Dudamel, as if he were the Second Coming. All evidence suggests he is bringing a new level of excitement to symphony concerts at the Walt Disney Concert Hall. More power to him, say I: Now, more than ever, classical music needs its knight-errants on silver steeds.
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Exorcizing the musical ghosts that haunt a homeland
May 14, 2010
Some of the most striking voices in today's classical composition are not coming out of the West but from far-flung outposts on the other side of the world. Such a voice is that of Dmitri Yanov-Yanovsky. A Polish Jew by heritage, Russian and European by culture, he has worked for the last two years at Harvard, where the charity of colleagues has enabled him to escape the political turmoil that made his native Uzbekistan an alien landscape.
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Emigre composer sings a lament for a lost homeland
May 12, 2010
A fraught political and cultural narrative unfolding halfway around the world informs the new work Yo-Yo Ma will introduce at the Chicago Symphony Orchestra's subscription concerts this week in Symphony Center.
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Pinnock transfers his mastery of Classical style to a chamber-sized CSO
May 1, 2010
Trevor Pinnock is the latest early music specialist the Chicago Symphony Orchestra has engaged to take charge of one of its periodic sorties into the chamber orchestra repertory. The British conductor and harpsichordist, who was making his CSO debut Thursday night at Orchestra Hall, managed the leap more adroitly than some of his colleagues from the historical brigade.
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New director at CSO: Beginning of Muti era
February 26, 2010
The Riccardo Muti era at the Chicago Symphony Orchestra officially began Thursday at Symphony Center, as the CSO's 10th music director announced plans for his first season. He did so with a combination of relaxed good humor and expressions of serious concern for the role symphony orchestras, and classical music in general, can play in today's troubled world.