Jessie Montgomery
composed
Coincident Dances
Featuring
Northern Illinois University Steelband and
Chicago’s
Cerqua Rivera Dance Theatre
Wentz Concert Hall, Naperville,
September 16
Symphony Center, Chicago,
September 18
August 21, 2017 (Chicago, IL) –
Chicago Sinfonietta, the nation’s most diverse orchestra, kicks
off its 30th anniversary with Trademark showcasing
unusual instruments, collaborations, and classical reinterpretations - a
trademark of the orchestra’s programming for three decades. This
unexpected and adventurous concert experience will
include guest performances from the 16-piece Northern Illinois University Steelband
led by Liam Teague
and Chicago’s own
Cerqua Rivera Dance Theatre plus two World Premieres as part of the orchestra’s year-long initiative
Project W: Commissions by Women Composers. The Sinfonietta performs
Trademark twice: first in the western suburbs at Wentz Concert Hall at North Central College, Naperville,
Saturday, September 16 at 8 pm, and then again in its downtown Chicago home venue of Symphony Center,
Monday, September 18 at 7:30 pm.
The concert begins with the World Premiere of
emerging composer and violinist
Jessie Montgomery’s
Coincident Dances
and continues with one of Mozart’s best-known works
Rondo alla Turca reinvented by the Northern Illinois University Steelband
who then joins Sinfonietta’s principal harpist
Faye Seeman on her original solo composition Fayed to Blue before switching to the Caribbean sounds of
Lord
Kitchener’s upbeat Pan in A-minor. The second half opens with the World Premiere of Grammy Award-nominated composer
Clarice Assad’s Sin Fronteras, meaning “without borders”, featuring Chicago’s
Cerqua Rivera Dance Theatre performing a new piece of choreography also commissioned by the orchestra, and concludes with
Bedřich Smetana’s symphonic poem
Má vlast.
“As
Chicago Sinfonietta approaches an important milestone in its history,
our programming continues to reflect a pioneering and innovative spirit
more than ever, especially through the dedication
to showcasing unusual instruments, and our unprecedented commitment to
featuring brand new commissions by diverse, prominent women composers,"
stated Music Director Mei-Ann Chen. "Making the commissions known
through the 2019 release of our 16th
commercial recording produced with our wonderful partner, Cedille
Records, will help this unique organization advance its mission of
diversity, equity, and inclusion while showcasing the incredible talent
of women composers in America."
Before the concert and during intermission, audience members will have the opportunity to learn to play
the
steel drum and harp with students from Chicago Youth Symphony
Orchestra’s Steel Orchestras and The People’s Music School. Archival
photos, artifacts, and more from Chicago Sinfonietta’s 30-year history
will be on display for patrons to view as well.
Prior to the concert, Chicago Sinfonietta's Associate Board will host its annual fundraising event,
Prelude:
Start with a Bang!, to celebrate
the start of the 30th
Anniversary season. A selection from Chicago’s Crafthouse® cocktails
and hors d'oeuvres will be served while attendees take part in a silent
auction and raffle,
as well as other interactive activities inspired by the Northern
Illinois University Steelband. The event begins at 5:30 p.m. at
Orchestra Hall of Symphony Center. Tickets are priced at $50 for the
reception only and $95 for the reception and a concert ticket
to Trademark. Early bird tickets are also available through
August 30 at $40 for the reception and $85 for reception and concert.
Tickets are available for purchase by calling 312-284-1554 or online at
chicagosinfonietta.org/prelude.
Trademark is sponsored in part by ITW.
Title:
Chicago Sinfonietta presents Trademark
Dates:
Saturday, September 16 at 8:00 p.m. at Wentz Concert Hall of North Central College
Monday, September 18 at 7:30 p.m. at Orchestra Hall of Symphony Center
Tickets:
Tickets
range from $20-$99 for concerts at Symphony Center and $49-$62 for
concerts at North Central College with special $10 pricing available for
students at both concerts. Tickets can be
purchased by calling Chicago Sinfonietta at 312-284-1554 or online at www.chicagosinfonietta.org.
Program:
MONTGOMERY
|
Coincident Dances
|
MOZART
|
Rondo alla Turca
|
SEEMAN
|
Fayed to Blue
|
KITCHENER
|
Pan in A-minor
|
ASSAD
|
Sin Fronteras
|
SMETANA
|
Má vlast (My Homeland)
I. Vyšehrad (The High Castle)
II. Vltava (The Moldau) |
Mei-Ann Chen, music director and conductor
Faye Seeman,
harp
Cerqua Rivera Dance Theatre
Northern Illinois University Steelband,
steel drum ensemble directed by Liam Teague
About the Sinfonietta
Now in its 30th season, Chicago Sinfonietta
and music director Mei-Ann Chen have
pushed artistic boundaries to provide an
alternative way of hearing, seeing and thinking about a symphony
orchestra and are dedicated to promoting diversity, inclusion, racial
and cultural equity in the arts. Each concert experience
blends inventive new works with classical masterworks, each from a
diverse array of voices, to entertain, transform and inspire. In 2016,
Chicago Sinfonietta was the proud recipient of the
2016 Spirit of Innovation Award presented by the Chicago Innovation Awards as well as the
John D. and Catherine T. MacArthur
Foundation’s prestigious MacArthur Award for Creative and Effective
Institutions (MACEI). The MacArthur award recognizes exceptional
organizations that are key contributors in their fields. Learn
more at www.chicagosinfonietta.org
Chicago
Sinfonietta is grateful to its season sponsors including Aon, Blue
Cross Blue Shield of Illinois, Southwest Airlines, Fairmont Hotel, Hotel
Indigo and
NBC5. Chicago Sinfonietta also thanks its BRIDGE Audience Engagement
sponsor Macy's, as well as its season media sponsors including Chicago
Tribune, Chicago magazine, Naperville magazine, and WBEZ.
# # #
1 comment:
I missed it. I was in one of the venues in Chicago at the time, preparing for my musical performance. I would have loved to be there though. I am really passionate about music and whenever there’s something great happening I don’t stop myself.
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