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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 requestedMichael Kearns
Sun 11/22, 7:30 PM, 773-871-3000Theater & Performance
Long before folks like Ellen DeGeneres and Ian McKellen showed it's possible to be openly gay and still have a career in showbiz, actor-writer Michael Kearns was paving the way. Kearns was Hollywood's first out actor in the early 1980s, and the first to announce he was HIV-positive. After a brief career guesting on TV series (The Waltons, Murder, She Wrote) he turned to solo performance with The Truth Is Bad Enough (1983), in which he detailed his bizarre experience posing as the author and subject of The Happy Hustler. The 1975 book was the alleged autobiography of a male prostitute, whom Kearns played in promotional appearances--and in a nude foldout included in the paperback. Nowadays he tours with a repertoire of one-man shows, including Intimacies, a collection of character studies about people living with AIDS. The monologues address numerous issues--homelessness, substance abuse, sexual politics, and relationship dynamics--as Kearns depicts individuals of different races, genders, and classes: a hypocritical gay yuppie, a streetwalker, a strung-out teenage hustler. "All are embarrassments not only to society but to humanity," wrote Reader critic Diana Spinrad, reviewing Intimacies in its 1989 Chicago premiere. "Yet Kearns portrays them so lovingly, and with such technical proficiency, that their humanity shines through." Marking the show's 20th anniversary and World AIDS Day on December 1, Kearns is now offering an updated version, appearing as part of Victory Gardens' Fresh Squeezed performance series.
$25-$30
A Weekend of Spiritual Wellness: Exploring the Healing Power of Your Soul
Sun., Nov. 22, 9:30 a.m. 630-972-0300Other Stuff
Beginning with breakfast on Saturday, the program runs from 9:30am to 4:30pm. The Sunday programs begin at 9:30am and go off site after lunch to the Wyndham Lisle Hotel, 3000 Warrenville Rd, Lisle, IL 60531 for a special weekend finale, a talk by H.H. Sant Rajinder Singh Ji Maharaj at 2:30pm, “The Healing Power of Divine Love.” Both days include a free vegetarian lunch and the entire event is free.
This program is sponsored by Science of Spirituality, a multi-faith, nonprofit organization under the direction of H.H. Sant Rajinder Singh Ji Maharaj. It is being hosted by the Hindu Temple of Chicago. Advance online registration is requested: http://SOSspiritualwellness.org. You may also call 630-955-1200 for more information.
Christina 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+.
