Leslie B. Dunner Conducts Chicago Sinfonietta Jan. 15 at North Central College in 'A Dream Unfolds'

[Leslie B. Dunner will guest conduct with the Chicago Sinfonietta Orchestra on Jan. 15 at North Central College. | Courtesy of North Central College]

“Chicago Sinfonietta helps North Central mark MLK Day

Naperville Sun
By Annie Alleman For Sun-Times Media Jan 6, 2011

CHICAGO SINFONIETTA
When: 8 p.m. Jan. 15
Where: North Central College’s Wentz Concert Hall, 171 E. Chicago Ave., Naperville
How much: $50 and $60
Contact: 630-637-7469 or http://www.northcentralcollege.edu/showtix

“When composer Leslie B. Dunner bought a record called 'Black Composer Series,' recorded by CBS Records in 1974, he had no idea who Paul Freeman was. Years later, Freeman has had a hand shaping and influencing Dunner’s career. Freeman is founder and music director of the Chicago Sinfonietta. Dunner will be the guest conductor when the Sinfonietta pays tribute to Martin Luther King Jr. with a rousing musical experience Jan. 15 at North Central College.

“The Chicago Sinfonietta marks the life and work of King with the musical celebration 'Concert III: A Dream Unfolds.' Through a set of five works and multiple guest artists, this celebration will commemorate King’s legacy and allow listeners to reflect on his indelible mark on American history. 'The concert is traditionally not just with the Chicago Sinfonietta, but many orchestras around the U.S. now,' Dunner said. 'The program is based around Martin Luther King and the unity of all people and the contributions African Americans have made to culture and helping the dream of America unfold. On the program, we have four main works. Three of the four works are by African American composers. The fourth is by George Gershwin … whose opera ‘Porgy and Bess’ is the first piece of American operatic work to focus on the life of traditional African Americans living in a poor region of South Carolina.'

“The program features the overture from 'Theater Set for Orchestra' by Ulysses Kay; Pulitzer Prize-winner George Walker’s 'Lyric for Strings'; and 'Concerto for a Genius,' arranged by Orbert Davis, featuring McArthur Foundation Genius Grant recipient Reginald Robinson on piano. Robinson has not only won major awards as a pianist and composer, he composed 'Concerto for a Genius.' Dunner said that thanks to some changes in the piece, it will be a world premier at North Central. 'That is pretty significant,' he said. The second part of the program will feature Gershwin’s 'Porgy and Bess,' arranged by Robert Russell Bennett and by Dunner. Guest vocalists Lisa Daltrius, Reggie Whitehead, Donnie Ray Albert and the Chicago Community Chorus led by Keith Hampton will join the Sinfonietta.”

Myrtle Hart Society: Leslie Dunner Conducts Kwazulu-Natal Philharmonic Orchestra

The June issue of the Myrtle Hart Society eNewsletter reports that the African American conductor Dr. Leslie B. Dunner will be conducting in South Africa this month: “Catch Maestro Dunner with the Kwazulu-Natal Philharmonic Orchestra at City Hall in Durban, South Africa on Thursday, June 26 at 7:30PM. Program includes Berlioz: Les francs-juges Overture; Schumann: Cello Concerto featuring cellist Anzel Gerber; Nielsen: Symphony #2.”

Artsmart.co.za reports:
“June 26 - Musical Artistry: A strong favourite with KZNPO audiences, admired African-American conductor Dr Leslie Dunner leads a concert featuring notable South African cellist Anzel Gerber. She performs Schumann's melancholic Cello Concerto, a work premiered after his death in a concert in honour of his 50th birthday, which is a display piece for the soloist. With an affection for the cello and a keen knowledge of its capacity for expression, Schumann created a work that is both lyrical and, in the final movement, quite lively. Nielsen's Second Symphony was inspired by a four-part comical picture of the four temperaments - choleric, phlegmatic, melancholic and sanguine - which he found in a village pub on the Danish island of Zealand. Each of its four movements illuminate one of the temperaments in a way that you need not know which temperament is being shown in order to truly appreciate the artistry of the music.”

Maestro Leslie B. Dunner & Indianapolis Symphony Orchestra: Celebration of Black History

The Indianapolis Symphony Orchestra; Leslie B. Dunner, Conductor; Carolyn Sebron, Soprano; and the Asante Children's Theatre Kwanzaa Community Choir will perform a Celebration of Black History Tuesday, Feb. 5, 2008 at 7:30 p.m.

The ISO’s annual Celebration of Black History concert celebrates the significant impact of African-American culture on classical and symphonic music, as well as the superb artistry and creativity of black artists, composers, and conductors. This year’s program reflects that focus with music by Indianapolis native and jazz legend Dr. David Baker, Maestro Dunner, Dorothy Rudd-Moore, and arrangements of traditional spirituals. Free and Open to the public.

Sponsored by The Indianapolis Recorder. Media Sponsor: Radio One.

Myrtle Hart Society: Maestro Dunner conducts Alabama Symphony

Maestro Leslie B. Dunner grew up in New York, Harlem and the South Bronx in a working class family. His father worked for the city and his mother worked as a social worker and community activist. He grew up taking African dance and was the youngest performer at the 1964 New York World's Fair. In addition, he has toured nationally and internationally performing on his clarinet. I've seen him conduct the Joffrey Ballet, and I can tell you, he's so involved with every nuance, he emotes the music often letting it move his body around on the podium. His is a natural love of classical music that was nurtured and allowed to grow. This is the result.

Maestro Dunner will conduct the Alabama Symphony Orchestra with soloist Timothy Jones, bass baritone. "A Community Tribute to Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr." January 20 at Alys Stephens Center, Jemison Concert Hall (Birmingham) at 3:00 PM.