The Orion Ensemble, winner of the prestigious Chamber Music America/ASCAP Award for Adventurous Programming, announces its 26th season, “The Journey Continues,” featuring classic and contemporary chamber works, respected guest artists and the widely praised musicianship of its core members: clarinetist Kathryne Pirtle, violinist Florentina Ramniceanu, pianist Diana Schmück and cellist Judy Stone.
Orion performs each concert program at venues spanning the Chicago area, including the PianoForte Studios in downtown Chicago, Chapelstreet Church in Geneva and the Music Institute of Chicago’s Nichols Concert Hall in Evanston, along with a new venue this season: First Congregational Church of Glen Ellyn. Guest violist Stephen Boe will participate in all four concert programs.
The season opens with “Vienna, City of My Dreams,” featuring Mozart’s Clarinet Quartet in B-flat Major, after KV317d; Schubert’s Adagio and Rondo Concertante in F Major for Piano Quartet, D. 487; and Strauss’s Piano Quartet in C minor, Op. 13. Performances take place September 23 (Evanston), September 26 (Chicago) and September 30 (Geneva).
Russian-born, Chicago-based cellist and composer Ian Maksin joins Orion for “Russian Passion,” performing original compositions inspired by Tango Nuevo (a modern interpretation of the tango), blues and Eastern European folk music, as well as Arensky’s String Quartet in A minor, Op. 25. Also on the program are Frühling’s Trio in A minor, Op. 40 and Cassadó’s Piano Trio in C Major (1926). Performances are November 11 (new venue: Glen Ellyn), November 14 (Chicago) and November 18 (Evanston).
“French Musical Treasure” features a diverse program, including Beethoven’s Piano Quartet in E-flat Major, Op. 16; Stacy Garrop’s Little Bits for clarinet, violin, cello and piano (2000); Nancy Van de Vate’s Trio for clarinet, viola and piano (2014); and Cecile Chaminade’s Piano Trio in A minor, Op. 34. Performances are March 3 (Evanston), March 10 (Geneva) and March 20 (Chicago).
The season concludes with “A Brahms Finale,” featuring Uhl’s Kleines Konzertfor viola, clarinet and piano (1938); Prokofiev’s Overture on Hebrew Themes for clarinet, string quartet and piano, Op. 34; and Brahms’ Piano Quintet in F minor, Op. 34. Performances are May 5 (Geneva), May 15 (Chicago) and May 19 (Evanston).
Orion is planning a season opening event following its September 23 concert in Evanston; details will follow soon. Also during the season, Orion will host a fall benefit October 13 at Q Center in St. Charles, Illinois and appears on the broadcast series “Live from WFMT” October 1, 2018 and March 11, 2019. Orion also tours, performing in chamber music series across the country.
For the sixth year, Orion continues its educational initiatives under the banner Janet’s Stage, a one-of-a-kind collaboration with the orchestra departments and chamber music ensembles at partner high schools in Fox Valley, the western suburbs and Chicago. The Orion musicians provide multifaceted yearlong student support. The program offers practical, individualized learning through master classes and chamber music coaching, performances for students and parents at each school, invitations to attend Orion concerts and the opportunity for student ensembles to perform on the Orion concert stage.
Orion also works with ensembles at the Chicago Youth Symphony Orchestras and the Elgin Youth Symphony Orchestra.
When and Where:
September 26, November 14, March 20 and May 15 at 7:30 p.m.
PianoForte Studios, 1335 S. Michigan Ave., Chicago
September 23 at 3 p.m. and November 18, March 3 and May 19 at 7:30 p.m.
Nichols Concert Hall, 1490 Chicago Ave., Evanston
September 30, March 10 and May 5 at 7 p.m.
Chapelstreet Church, 2300 South Street, Geneva
November 11 at 7 p.m.
First Congregational Church of Glen Ellyn, 535 Forest Avenue, Glen Ellyn
