Music Search
Chicago Symphony Orchestra with Paul Lewis
Sun., Nov. 22, 3 p.m.
312-294-3000Classical
Between 2005 and 2007 young British pianist Paul Lewis performed all 32 of Beethoven's piano sonatas on tour in Europe and the U.S., meanwhile recording them in sets; Harmonia Mundi released them in four volumes, and the last volume won Gramophone's 2008 Record of the Year. It's a monumental undertaking for any pianist, and Lewis, born in Liverpool in 1972, didn't even start taking piano lessons until age 12, after two uneventful years on cello; he entered Chetham's School of Music in Manchester at 14 and went on to London's Guildhall School, where a master class with Alfred Brendel led to regular coaching in his early 20s. Last November Lewis gave a recital in Orchestra Hall that included a sublime rendition of Schubert's Piano Sonata No. 18, in which he revealed an approach similar to the one he brings to Beethoven—he aims to get out of the composer's way, staying as transparent as possible. At times the strictness of his tempos leaves me wishing for a little breathing room, but what he does is impressive—he's a thoughtful player with abundant technique that includes remarkably well-balanced chords and an ability to convey an exceptional range of moods and timbres. He makes his debut with the Chicago Symphony Orchestra performing Mozart's exquisite Piano Concerto No. 12; the program also includes Bartok's folk-inspired Divertimento for String Orchestra and Schumann's Symphony No. 2. Christoph von Dohnanyi conducts. —Barbara Yaross
$22-$199Tobias Delius, Jeb Bishop, Jason Stein, Joshua Abrams, and Frank Roasly; James Falzone's Klang
Sun., Nov. 22, 10 p.m. 773-935-2118Jazz
Update: Delius has been denied entry to the U.S. due to visa problems and will not appear. It's been eight years since Berlin-based tenor saxophonist Tobias Delius has released a recording as a bandleader—six if you consider him coleader of the collective session Apa Ini (Data)—and that's a damn shame. (At present he has an album of his own in the can but no label lined up.) A longtime member of Amsterdam's ICP Orchestra, Delius has one of the most beautiful and elastic horn sounds in jazz: he shares the breathy, earthy warmth of swing-era tenor man Ben Webster, but transforms it with jagged contemporary phrasing. No matter what configuration of players he ends up part of, he seems to make it sound better. This past summer in Kongsberg, Norway, he floored me in a powerhouse improvising quartet with drummer Paal Nilssen-Love, trombonist Jeb Bishop, and bassist Johan Berthling, teasing out lusty, sanguine melodies even as he kept pace with the screaming tumult of the set. He also sounds great on this summer's First Reason (Clean Feed), a superb album by German drummer Christian Lillinger—his meaty clarinet and tenor lines slalom forcefully through the rhythm section's dense, frantic matrix of notes without losing a bit of their emotional depth along the way. On this rare visit to Chicago, Delius plays four shows with four ad hoc lineups of top-shelf local talent. Tonight he's joined by trombonist Jeb Bishop, bass clarinetist Jason Stein, bassist Joshua Abrams, and drummer Frank Rosaly. Delius also plays Thursday at Elastic, Saturday at Heaven Gallery, and Monday at Skylark. —Peter Margasak
donation requestedChristina Castelli & Grant Moffett
Sun., Nov. 22, 3 p.m. 312-243-9233Classical
Violin and piano (Brahms, Prokofiev, Conrad Tao).
Cavo, Surrender Dorothy, Brookroyal
Sun., Nov. 22, 6:30 p.m. 312-923-2000 or 312-559-1212Rock, Pop, Etc
Chicago Pop Festival Jazz Ensemble featuring Bob Centano, Josie Falbo, Audrey Morris, Dean Rolando, Muriel Anderson, and others; Shadows of Knight and the Roseland Band with Perry Jordan, Harlan Lee Terson, Peter Nye, Andrew Calhoun, and others
Sun., Nov. 22, 1 p.m. 773-463-5808 or 866-468-3401Rock, Pop, Etc
Chicago Youth Symphony Orchestra
Sun., Nov. 22, 7:30 p.m. 312-294-3000Classical
Allen Tinkham, conductor (Adams, Shostakovich, Stravinsky, Liszt).
Chicago Folk Artist Chris Marshall
Sun., Nov. 22, 1 p.m.Folk & Country
Chicago folk artist plays fiddle and guitar reminiscent of a lazy afternoon on an old-time front porch.
Check out this clever guy! http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-8LWgaZpHlM
Alhambra Cafe & Coffee House serves gourmet coffees and dessert coffees, hot chocolates, hot apple cider, chai latte, artisan teas, sumptuous desserts and pastries, or cool beverages, refreshing smoothie and ice cream shake treats. Music is complimentary. Check web site for more information.
Chicago Youth Symphony Orchestras - Symphony Orchestra
Sun., Nov. 22, 7:30 p.m. 312-294-3000Classical
Tickets: $15-$40, Boxes available, Children 7 & under free For tickets/information: 312-939-2207 x31 or www.cyso.org Works by Stravinsky, Adams, Shostakovich, Liszt
Common Loon, Color Card, Slow Gun Shogun
Sun., Nov. 22, 8 p.m. 773-276-3600 or 866-468-3401Rock, Pop, Etc
Frankie Delmane, Bob Dey's Tank Engine Man, DJ Plastic Crimewave
Sun., Nov. 22, 9 p.m. 773-227-3530Rock, Pop, Etc
DREAMTIME TRIBE performs
Sun., Nov. 22, 7 p.m. 773-327-7224International
Dreamtime Tribe Performs At Life Force Arts Center!
Dreamtime Tribe is a collaboration of musicians, sonic healers, and shamans exploring subtle realms of the timeless space known in Aboriginal culture as Dreamtime.
Its ambient, trance, and tribal jams utilize didgeridoo, chimes, singing bowls, flutes, percussion and voice, to take us beyond the mind and deep into the heart to receive vision and healing
Reiki Master Jen Berman from Life Force Arts Center's Spirit Spa will be on hand to offer energy treatment sessions during the concert. Don't miss this opportunity to participate in an extraordinary sound experience and healing event.
$10 in advance, $15 at the door
Elle Macho, Brad Peterson, Anna Soltys
Sun., Nov. 22, 9 p.m. 312-949-0121 or 866-468-3401Rock, Pop, Etc
17+.
Elmhurst Symphony Orchestra - A Celebration of Youth
Sun., Nov. 22, 3 p.m.Classical
A lively celebration of youthful spirits and prodigious talent. The concert begins with a Symphonic Dance for Orchestra by Paul Basler that is pure sonic fun. Franz Schubert's staggering output belies the brevity of his life. The memorable themes of Schubert's Unfinished Symphony are beloved by listeners of all ages. Fourteen-year-old phenom, Johannes Gray, has been winning competitions and establishing himself as an important new talent on the cello. He will be featured in Dvorak's masterful cello concerto, one of the most symphonic of all concertos.
