Classical Thu May 03 2012

Pulling Strings: For classical music in Chicago, you got a guy - May 2012

by Elliot Mandel

A raucous band of cellos. A tuba concerto. A double bass concerto. May is Low Register Month (you didn't know?), and the deep-voiced instruments are full of surprises and rare appearances. Plus, the Chicago Symphony Orchestra kicks off its Keys to the City piano festival. If you survive the NATO summit and Mother's Day Brunch, come back for June.

Continue reading this entry »

— Transmission / Comments (0)

Concert Wed Apr 25 2012

Ravinia Tickets on Sale Thursday -- with a New App to Find Friends

Tickets for the 2012 season at the Ravinia Festival go on sale Thursday, April 26. Offering up a near-nightly soundtrack to Chicago summers since 1904, this will be the first year you can use a special Ravinia smartphone app not only for your purchase, but also for connecting with friends while attending a show. If you have never been to a concert at Ravinia (located north of Chicago in Highland Park), there are two seating options: a reserved seat under the pavilion (with views of the stage) or a GA lawn ticket which is generally under $20 for most shows, with no sight of the stage. The benefits of a lawn seat are many, besides the lower price. First, you can picnic (with alcohol) on a blanket under the stars or beneath some of the ancient leafy trees on the site. Secondly, you can corral all of your friends together for an outing where everybody gets to enjoy some cheese, wine, and music in the fine summer weather. The "corralling" however, is the tricky part, especially given Ravinia's lack of distinct landmarks besides "right" "left" and "tree." Typically, there's a lot of people standing up with their cell phones clutched to their ears and waving with the other arm, that is, until the sun sets.

Continue reading this entry »

— Anne Holub / Comments (0)

Concert Wed Apr 18 2012

Millennium Park Free Summer Concert Lineup

The Chicago Department of Cultural Affairs announced its free summer concert lineup for The Jay Pritzker Pavilion within Millennium Park. This year we get four series: the electronic and new music heavy Loops and Variations, indie rock star studded Downtown Sound, the classical-leaning Grand Park Music Festival, and Made in Chicago: World Class Jazz.

Downtown Sound

Monday, May 28, 6:30 pm
Kelly Hogan + Scott Lucas and the Married Men

Monday, June 4, 6:30 pm
Jonathan Richman + Joel Paterson and the Modern Sounds

Monday, June 11, 6:30 pm
The Eternals + Wild Belle

Monday, June 18, 6:30 pm
Cloud Cult + Judson Claiborne

Monday, June 25, 6:30 pm
Occidental Brothers Dance Band International + Chico Trujillo

Monday, July 2, 6:30 pm
Joan of Arc + Daniel Knox

Monday, July 9, 6:30 pm
The Sadies + James Vincent McMorrow

Monday, July 16, 6:30 pm
Charles Bradley and his Extraordinaires + Abigail Washburn

Monday, July 23, 6:30 pm
Ana Tijoux + Sidi Touré

Monday, July 30, 6:30 p.m.
SMOD + M.A.K.U. Soundsystem

Continue reading this entry »

— Jason Olexa / Comments (3)

Classical Fri Apr 06 2012

Pulling Strings: For classical music in Chicago, you got a guy - April 2012

By Elliot Mandel

Let's skip the small talk: Yo-Yo Ma will perform Dvorak's Cello Concerto with the Chicago Symphony Orchestra on May 5 and 6, 2012. I could list all the reasons why you should see this concert, but that would waste time. Simply put: whether you're into this classical music stuff or not, everyone should see Yo-Yo play the undisputed giant of the cello repertoire. But if you can't get tickets to the Dvorak concerts, try May 10 or 11, 2012 when Yo-Yo plays the Haydn concerto; or April 29, 2012, when he joins longtime collaborators guitarists Sergio and Odair Assad and pianist Kathryn Stott in a concert of Brazilian music. Frankly, it doesn't matter if he's performing with Elmo or hanging out with a wombat, Yo-Yo is one of the most magnetic performers of any genre and always worth the price of admission. So call the Symphony (312-294-3000) for tickets.

Now, what to do until then?

Continue reading this entry »

— Transmission / Comments (1)

Classical Thu Mar 01 2012

Pulling Strings: For classical music in Chicago, you got a guy - March 2012

By Elliot Mandel

This month, music comes from such far-flung places as Antarctica, South America, and outer space in performances that will be full of visual and sonic surprises. Women composers, long neglected, also get the spotlight, and a Japanese virtuoso will play the best Mozart piano music of the year. So venture out into the misery of March in Chicago; besides, when was the last time you went to the Planetarium?

Hear a great concert recently? Have a tip on an upcoming show? Talk about it in the comments.

Continue reading this entry »

— Transmission / Comments (2)

Classical Tue Feb 28 2012

Lampo Presents Keith Fullerton Whitman Sailing on Sine Waves 03/10

Chicago non-profit art collective Lampo opened up free RSVPs for a performance by Kranky recording artist and synth wizard Keith Fullerton Whitman on March 10th at the Graham Foundation's Madlener House. He will be performing the U.S. premier of "Rhythms Naturels" followed by a live modular synth improvisation. Keith performed multiple sets of modular synth dungeons and guitar dragons as part of the 2010 Neon Marshmallow Festival.

Continue reading this entry »

— Jason Olexa / Comments (0)

Classical Thu Feb 02 2012

Pulling Strings: For classical music in Chicago, you got a guy - February 2012

by Elliot Mandel

February offers mind-bending music and behind-the-scenes access to those who write and perform it. Meet a real live orchestral composer who moonlights as a DJ. Sit in on a rehearsal at Symphony Center or a master class in Evanston. Impress your friends by mentioning "the blackbirds" (really). This month, the boundaries of music are stretched into previously unexplored realms; bring an open mind, but for the love of all that is good and holy, turn off your phone or risk eternal shame.

Hear a great concert recently? Have a tip on an upcoming show? Talk about it in the comments.

Continue reading this entry »

— Transmission / Comments (2)

Classical Thu Jan 05 2012

Pulling Strings: For classical music in Chicago, you got a guy - January 2012

by Elliot Mandel

Do your 2012 resolutions include hearing more live music? You have a variety of options this month, some of them free, and all of them excellent ways to fight the dark onset of a long Chicago winter. Plus, you can go to Symphony Center for music you are sure to hear during the NFL playoffs.

Note for Philip Glass fans: tickets for his recital on April 1 at the Art Institute go on sale January 5.

Hear a great concert recently? Have a tip on an upcoming show? Talk about it in the comments.

Continue reading this entry »

— Transmission / Comments (0)

Classical Thu Dec 01 2011

Pulling Strings: For classical music in Chicago, you got a guy - December 2011

by Elliot Mandel

An ambitious few weeks of Mahler and modern music will take us into the depths of December. The Chicago Symphony Orchestra continues its cycle of Mahler symphonies, and contemporary programs will make for some very un-silent nights. So if you're burned out on fa-la-la-la-las, buy some concert tickets for an early gift or check out the sales at Cedille Records (a Chicago classical music label). See you next year!

Hear a great concert recently? Have a tip on an upcoming show? Talk about it in the comments.

Continue reading this entry »

— Transmission / Comments (0)

Classical Thu Nov 03 2011

Pulling Strings: For classical music in Chicago, you got a guy - November 2011

by Elliot Mandel

England, Austria, Mexico, Bolivia—this month's music comes from faraway places. Whether composed by the Viennese demigods of Beethoven and Brahms, or cultivated among indigenous populations of South America, each piece is rooted in its own time but alive and vibrant among contemporary audiences. Old favorites and rare offerings from touring and local artists promise to make for memorable concerts. Go check them out for something different to discuss over turkey and stuffing.

Hear a great concert recently? Have a tip on an upcoming show? Talk about it in the comments.

Continue reading this entry »

— Transmission / Comments (2)

Feature Tue Oct 11 2011

Pulling Strings: For classical music in Chicago, you got a guy

By Elliot Mandel

I love October in Chicago: pumpkin ale on tap, no more Cubs games jamming up the Red Line, and classical music returns to stages all over the city. The classical scene in Chicago covers the range of the genre, from the Baroque style of the 1600s to brand new pieces performed on laptops; all of this music can be heard in intimate venues or grand concert halls--and all of it is affordable (and sometimes free). If you love the music like I do, if you've always wanted to attend a performance but needed some direction, or if you just want to know what a harpsichord sounds like, the following is a short list of my recommendations for the month. If you have other suggestions, please add them in the comments.

Continue reading this entry »

— Transmission / Comments (1)