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Feature Tue Dec 10 2013
Pulling Strings: For classical music in Chicago, you got a guy - December 2013
By Elliot Mandel
'Tis the season for long underwear and glögg. And bars with fireplaces. And brass. Lots of brass.
Dame Myra Hess Concert Series
If you find yourself hankering for brass music this time of year, get a taste of something beyond traditional. The adventurous Gaudete Brass Quintet explores the breadth of brass repertoire in a program that alternates between contemporary and Renaissance composers, including Jonathan Newman's Chicago-inspired "Prayers of Steel." Wednesday, Dec. 11.
Follow that with the lush Brahms Piano Trio No. 2 and Piazzolla's "Spring" from his Four Seasons of Buenos Aires as violinist David Bowlin, cellist Si-Yan Darren Li, and pianist Spencer Myer set up under the Tiffany dome. Wednesday, Dec. 18.
Both performances are free and will take place at 2:15pm. Preston Bradley Hall, Chicago Cultural Center, 78 E. Washington St.
Frequency Series: Fifth House Ensemble
For Christmas music you won't hear in any store, drop in on the latest installment of the Frequency Series at Constellation. Fifth House Ensemble warms your heart with three wise men of 20th Century composition: George Crumb, Alfred Schnittke, and Arnold Schoenberg, followed by Baroque masters Corelli and Bach. Tickets support 5HE's education programs and include a $5 drink voucher. Tickets $17-20. Sunday, Dec. 15, 8:30pm. Constellation Chicago, 3111 N. Western Ave.
MusicNow: Carbide & Carbon
Rule: never pass up the opportunity to see a cello octet, especially when that octet comes from the Chicago Symphony Orchestra. The CSO's MusicNow series features its Composer-in-Residence, Mason Bates and the world premiere of his "Carbide & Carbon" for eight cellos. Other CSO members perform music by percussionist Andy Akiho, David Lang, and Eduardo Guzman. With the exception of Bates, these are composers never heard in Orchestra Hall — don't miss one of this month's contemporary music highlights. General admission tickets are $25, $10 for students. Monday, Dec. 16, 7pm. Harris Theater, 205 E. Randolph St.
Chicago Symphony Orchestra: Bruckner 9
The CSO has been on a late 19th Century kick lately, giving stellar performances of Bruckner and Mahler in the last two months. This month, the streak is sure to continue as former Ravinia Festival music director Christoph Eschenbach returns to lead Bruckner's Symphony No. 9. The Austrian composer's final symphony is another towering achievement, emotionally rich and sonically dark at first, it moves to a hammering middle section, and ends as a gentle farewell. Tickets start at $35. Thursday, Dec. 19 and Saturday, Dec. 21, 8pm.; Friday, Dec. 20, 1:30pm. Symphony Center, 220 S. Michigan 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. Bring on the cold.
