Lawrence A. Johnson

2 weeks ago | chicagoclassicalreview.com | Lawrence A. Johnson

The massive silver pipes of the Norman and Hilda Ozinga Organ have towered imposingly over performances by the Illinois Philharmonic Orchestra for years like a great silent sentinel. For the orchestra’s final season concert Saturday night at Trinity Christian College’s Ozinga Hall in Palos Heights, the silent beast came to life as a full participant in the IPO’s “Organ Spectacular” program with the instrument on display in three of the evening’s four works.

3 weeks ago | chicagoclassicalreview.com | Lawrence A. Johnson

Illinois Philharmonic Orchestra Stilian Kirov, conductor Peter Richard Conte, organist Gigout: Grand Choer Dialogue Poulenc: Organ Concerto Huyhn: Nước (world premiere) Elgar: Enigma Variations 7:30 p.m. Trinity Christian College, Palos Heights ipomusic.org May 23 American Music Project Kontras Quartet Copland: Two Pieces for String Quartet Riley: G Song Imbrie: String Quartet No. 1 Wolfe: Four Marys Ives: String Quartet No. 1 7:30 p.m. Ganz Hall americanmusicproject.net May 29 Northwestern...

3 weeks ago | chicagoclassicalreview.com | Lawrence A. Johnson

For many aficionados, Italo Montemezzi’s L’amore dei tre re is the holy grail of neglected Italian operas. Premiered in 1913 at La Scala to mixed reviews, the opera saw its U.S. debut at the Met five years later with an all-star cast led by Enrico Caruso, Claudia Muzio and Pasquale Amato. The opera quickly became a repertory staple in the U.S. where it remained hugely popular for decades. After WWII, the opera’s performances quickly waned as it dropped into obscurity and is rarely presented today.

3 weeks ago | theclassicalreview.com | Lawrence A. Johnson

With multiple street closures and exits off the Drive shut down for a race in the Loop, audience members trying to get to Orchestra Hall Thursday night had nearly as arduous a journey as the one that takes place musically in Mahler’s Symphony No. 6. That epic work was the sole item on the Chicago Symphony Orchestra concert conducted by Jaap van Zweden Thursday evening.

4 weeks ago | chicagoclassicalreview.com | Lawrence A. Johnson

With multiple street closures and exits off the Drive shut down for a race in the Loop, audience members trying to get to Orchestra Hall Thursday night had nearly as arduous a journey as the one that takes place musically in Mahler’s Symphony No. 6. The epic work was the sole item on the Chicago Symphony Orchestra concert conducted by Jaap van Zweden Thursday evening.