Chicago Sun-Times: Chicago Sinfonietta takes King tribute to lofty new heights

January 23, 2008

BY BRYANT MANNING

The Rev. Martin Luther King Jr. championed a message of peace and equality, and people of all backgrounds and ages made their way Monday night to Symphony Center to celebrate it. Founder and director Paul Freeman and his Chicago Sinfonietta's creatively charged programming elevated this annual civil rights tribute to lofty new heights.

The orchestra opened with the brief "Celebration!" by Adolphus Hailstork, a colorful Coplandesque setting that evoked the deep American Southwest. The famed Broadway composer Morton Gould set six spirituals to orchestra in his "Revival," which showcased the Sinfonietta's warm, luxuriant strings.

An inspiring programmatic inclusion was music by the Chevalier de Saint-Georges, a black composer/violin virtuoso in Mozart's day, who now rarely finds his way into the concert hall. The Symphonie Concertante in G Major for two violins sang admirably under its soloists Christina Castelli and Melissa White. Full Article

[Dr. Paul Freeman is profiled at AfriClassical.com]

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.