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Classical Fri May 02 2014
Pulling Strings: For classical music in Chicago, you got a guy - May 2014
By Elliot Mandel
Adventures in new music this month. Three hometown ensembles present three vastly different approaches; go hear something unfamiliar and exotic!
Chicago Composers Orchestra: Deep Listening
The far-reaching CCO closes its fourth season with music by some of the top female American composers of our time. In Four Meditations for Orchestra, Pauline Oliveros focuses on heightened awareness of sound and silence as the musicians of the orchestra improvise without a conductor. Olivia Block's Voyager Golden Record explores the world of sound design — white noise, indecipherable voices, and tape loops. Marita Bolles incorporates varying and overlapping tempos in In Due Time from individual pulses to expanded rhythms. Composer/performer Nicole Mitchell's Flight for Freedom weaves jazz, pop, and African elements into a work that celebrates African American figures. Tickets are $15 general, $8 student. Saturday, May 10, 8pm. St. James Cathedral, 65 E. Huron.
Spektral Quartet with Julien Labro
The Spektral Quartet once again teams up with accordion and bandoneón phenom Julien Labro for their highly anticipated album release, From This Point Forward (Azica). The quintet will perform works from the album, which explores contemporary South American music, beginning with Astor Piazzolla and expanding to Hermeto Pascoal, Miguel Zenón, and Fernando Otero. Watch this video of SQ and Labro performing in 2012 and don't miss this show. Tickets start at $15. Wednesday, May 14, 7:30pm. City Winery, 1200 W. Randolph.
Video: Spektral Quartet and Julien Labro
Fifth House Ensemble: Luna de Cuernos
Constantly moving in unexpected and fantastic directions, Fifth House Ensemble teams up with artist Sarah Becan to present a modern interpretation of a Puerto Rican folktale. The modern adaptation is inspired by true stories of Chicagoans: a beautiful garden is threatened by destruction, spurring the entire community to action. The program — performed by 5HE's wind ensemble — includes works by Alexandre Tansman, Alberto Ginastera, and Bohuslav Martinů — and features a graphic novel written and illustrated by Becan. Tickets are $12 in advance, $15 at the door. Sunday, May 18, 8:30pm. Constellation, 3111 N. Western Ave.
Programs, artists, and prices subject to change. Tickets subject to availability.
About the author: Elliot Mandel plays cello, attends lots of concerts, writes reviews, and takes pictures.