2019 in Review: Classical Music
As the year and the decade are winding down, it is hard to avoid thinking about the time that has passed. In this day and age, when events swirl around […]
A lover of music his whole life, Louis Harris has written extensively from the early days of punk and alternative rock. More recently he has focused on classical music, especially chamber ensembles. He has reviewed concerts, festivals, and recordings and has interviewed composers and performers. He has paid special attention to Chicago’s rich and robust contemporary art music scene. He occasionally writes poetry and has a published novel to his credit, 32 Variations on a Theme by Basil II in the Key of Washington, DC. He now lives on the north side of Chicago, which he considers to be the greatest city in the country, if not the world. Member of the Music Critics Association of North America.
Review: Chamber Music Society of Lincoln Center Rendered the Brandenburgs Well
In the latest installment of what’s become an annual Yuletide tradition, the Chamber Music Society of Lincoln Center gave a wonderful performance of Johann Sebastian Bach’s six Brandenburg Concertos before […]
Review: Grossman Ensemble Were Wonderful Friday Night
The Grossman Ensemble opened its second season on Friday night with a delightful program of world premiers conducted by Michael Lewanski at the Logan Center of Performing Arts in Hyde […]
Review: Rudolf Buchbinder Continued the Beethoven Celebration at Symphony Center
In the 2019-2020 season, Symphony Center Presents is marking Ludwig van Beethoven’s 250th birthday with, among things, performances of all 32 of that composer’s piano sonatas. That cycle continued on […]
Review: Chamber Music Society of Lincoln Center Performed Immortal Schubert
Few things are more enjoyable than a stunning performance of an absolute masterpiece, which is how the Chamber Music Society of Lincoln Center opened their 2019-2020 season at the Harris […]
Preview: Andy Warhol – From A to B and Back Again Finally Arrives in Chicago
A massive image of Mao Tse Tung hanging two galleries away greets visitors to the latest major exhibition at the Art Institute of Chicago, Andy Warhol – From A to […]
Review: Kirill Gerstein Opens Symphony Center’s Beethoven Sonata Celebration
In celebration of the 250th anniversary of the birth of Ludwig van Beethoven in the 2019-2020 season, Symphony Center Presents is bringing in leading performers to play all 32 of […]
Preview: Third Coast Percussion to Kick off CCCC’s Second Season This Saturday
Following last year’s successful inaugural season, the Chicago Center for Contemporary Composition begins its second season this Saturday evening with Grammy Award winning Third Coast Percussion performing new classical music […]
Review: Orion Ensemble Offered an Uneven Performance on Wednesday
The Orion Ensemble opened its 27th season with their usual sort of concert that featured little-heard composers and a rarely heard work by a major composer. The second run-through of […]
Review: Robert Chen and Matthew Hagle Wowed on Sunday
Violinist Robert Chen and pianist Matthew Hagle kicked off the Music Institute of Chicago’s 2019-2020 concert season on Sunday afternoon with a delightful performance of music from the 18th and […]
Preview: Vocal Chamber Music Festival Runs This Week
The 8th Annual Collaborative Works Festival of vocal chamber music will take place this week at various venues around Chicago. Hosted by the Collaborative Arts Institute of Chicago, the 2019 […]
Review: Cedille Records’ New Releases Lead up to Annual Soirée
In the lead-up to its annual fundraising Soirée on September 8, this week Cedille Records will be issuing Souvenirs of Spain & Italy, a collection of quartets and quintets performed by […]