Chicago Philharmonic Chooses Historic Venue
A gold-trimmed color-blocked harpsichord against the golden intricately crafted backdrop of the KAM Isaiah Israel Temple is what set the tone. Small, polite murmurs, reminiscent of waiting for a service could be heard before being welcomed to the first presentation from Philharmonic in this historic venue, just across the street from a formerly Chicago-based politician’s barricaded home.
The energizing, tiny clangs of Vinikour’s expertly-handled harpsichord keys perhaps also evoked for others royal courts and fairy tales. Chamber players come in and out in duos and trios, highlighting the flute (Mary Stolpher), oboe (Anne Bach), bassoon (Lewis Kirk), trumpet (William Denton), violin (Desiree Ruhstrat), Audrelien Pederzoli (viola) and cello (Barbara Haffner).
The performance program included: Suite in E major, HWV 430 by George Frideric Handel (1685-1759), Lux Aeterna for Flute and Viola by William Ferris (1937-2000), Divertimiento I for Flute, Oboe, and Basoon, Op. 43 by Juan Orrego Salas (1919-), Italian Concerto, BWV 97 by Johann Sebastian Bach (1685-1750), and Concertino da camera by Ned Rorem (1923-).
Harpsichordist Jory Vinikour is a Chicago-born, highly acclaimed soloist and accompanist. He had earned the opportunity to tour and study worldwide, playing the work classically renowned composers.
A particularly heartfelt and hopeful piece was performed near the opening with Stolpher and Pederzoli in Lux Aeterna for Flute and Viola. The original melodic send off for flutists who have entered the larger life expanded the hall with a sense of celestiality.
Culminating the early afternoon came a piece that took great care to even be found again to play. For the first time since it’s development in the 40’s, Concertino da camera was brought back to life by the full ensemble of chamber players. We had learned in the program notes that Vinikour has achieved direct concert with the original composer to be able to bring this piece to the stage again.
Chicago Philharmonic with its many organizations is a pillar of the city’s community - bringing arts and classical symphonic culture to many. Vinikour and the Chicago Philharmonic Chamber Players are recommended for lovers of classical music and appreciation of the historic in general. For those who prefer a concert featuring more casual banter and beverages, this may not be your scene.
For more information about upcoming Chicago Philharmonic performances visit the Chicago Philharmonic website.
About the Author:
Brittany Harlin is the founding artistic director of Chicago Urban Dance Collective and 2017 recipient of the Chicago Dancemakers Forum Lab Artist Award. Her influences are Hip Hop and Modern Dance Pioneers. In addition to company work, her dancing and choreography has been featured at Ragdale Foundation, Links Hall, Elastic Arts, Aragon Ballroom, DRAMA Duo Music Productions, Black Ensemble Theatre, and Hip Hop International.
Brittany’s focus is Hip Hop, Modern, Funk Styles, Waacking, and House, combined with growing knowledge of somatics and kinesiology, all through the concert dance lens. Her goal is to bring dance education to a place of complete body awareness, spiritual expression, and connection. Brittany hopes to establish her practice in expressive therapy, creating opportunities, and inclusiveness.
Her teaching artist pedagogy & philosophy are weighted in respecting the integrity of the vernacular movement, by sharing what she’s been taught from respected community members - and stopping exactly there. She relates those concepts to personal natural movement, and the energy of the dancers she’s working with. Her goal is to create solidarity between diverse backgrounds, conducive to the essence and intention of The Hip Hop Socio-Political Movement. Harlin’s passion in dance extends to her community as she has launched her most recent endeavor of teaching professionalism and industry standards to aspiring professional dancers.
When Brittany isn’t dancing, she is supplementing her work with her passions for poetry and songwriting. She’s been referred to as a fawn and a hippie on multiple, separate occasions.
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