Review: Batman 1989 With the Chicago Philharmonic: Zap! Pow! Zonk!
My first experience with Batman was on television in 1966. The show blended live action with cartoonish settings and hammy acting. It never occurred to me as a 6-year-old that […]
Review: Maria João Pires Entertains With Mozart and Debussy
Maria João Pires gave an enjoyable performance at Northwestern’s Galvin Recital Hall in Evanston on Friday evening. Having listened to several of her recordings over the years and watched her […]
Review: Orion Ensemble and Stephen Boe Offer Something French
The Orion Ensemble gave the first of three concerts entitled Parlez-vous français? at the New England Congregational Church in Aurora on Sunday afternoon. As the title suggests the program consisted […]
Review: Mitsuko Uchida and the Mahler Chamber Orchestra Are Underwhelming at Symphony Center
Leading the Mahler Chamber Orchestra at Symphony Center on Tuesday evening, Mitsuko Uchida gave an underwhelming performance of two piano concertos by Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart. She first recorded this music […]
Review: A Thrilling Concert of Mozart’s Requiem and Thamos, King of Egypt at the Lyric
Requiem is one of the most recognizable works by Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart. It is a majestic composition, commissioned by a patron unknown to Mozart. It is also the last work […]
Review: Composer Amy Wurtz Celebrates Women’s History Month on Stage and on Video
In celebration of Women’s History Month, composer Amy Wurtz gave an inspiring piano recital of music by Chicago-based women composers at Harold Washington Library on Wednesday afternoon. She is also […]
Review: Bernard Rands Celebrates 90 at Guarneri Hall
In sold-out concerts on Friday and Saturday, Guarneri Hall was the scene of a 90th birthday celebration for Bernard Rands, a Pulitzer Prize winning composer. Originally from Britain, Rands has […]
Review: Curtis Stewart Entertains at Music Now
Composer/violinist Jessie Montgomery hosted the latest installment of Music Now on Sunday afternoon at Symphony Center. Montgomery is the Chicago Symphony Orchestra’s Mead Composer-in-Residence. Using CSO musicians and conductor Lidiya […]
Review: Gryphon Trio Ends the Northwestern Winter Chamber Festival in a Lackluster way
On a sunny but chilly Sunday afternoon, the Gryphon Trio gave a lackluster performance to close the Northwestern Winter Chamber Festival at Pick-Staiger Concert Hall in Evanston. Although the playing […]
Review: Third Coast Percussion Premieres New Work by Carlos Carrillo
L-R Peter Martin, Robert Dillon, Sean Connors, and David Skidmore. Photo by Ron Perlish
Review: Dover Quartet Plays a Blustery Program on a Blustery Night
On a blustery Friday night, the Dover Quartet gave a note-perfect performance at the Northwestern Winter Chamber Music Festival at Pick-Staiger Concert Hall in Evanston. While the Chicagoland region was […]
Review: Chicago’s Cedille Records Continues to Promote Excellence in Its 2023 Releases
Chicago’s Cedille Records released lots of enjoyable music in 2023. Like previous years, Cedille releases focus on lesser-known music worthy of greater attention. Unlike previous years, most of the releases […]