Classic Concert Series
The cornerstone of the University of Chicago Presents' season, this six-concert series features the pillars of chamber music performed by today's most brilliant artists.
(All concerts take place in Mandel Hall)
Friday / October 9 / 7:30 pm
ATOS Piano Trio (Chicago debut)
Haydn: Trio in A major, Hob. XV:9
Mendelssohn: Trio in C minor
Brahms: Trio No. 1 in B major, op. 8
Since forming in 2003, the ATOS Trio has distinguished itself as one of
today's finest young chamber ensembles. Characterized as "three voices,
one sound" and winner of the 2007 Kalichstein-Laredo-Robinson
International Trio Award by unanimous vote, the ATOS Trio has been
lauded for its warm blend, insightful interpretations and engaging
charisma.
Friday / November 20 / 7:30 pm
Pavel Haas Quartet
Pre-concert lecture by Steven Rings, assistant professor of music
Schubert: Quartet No. 12 in C minor, D. 703, "Quartettsatz"
Shostakovich: Quartet No. 10 in A-flat major, op. 118
Beethoven: Quartet in F major, op. 59, no. 1
Named Newcomer of the Year at the 2007 BBC Music
Magazine Awards, the "young and dynamic" Pavel Haas Quartet brings with
it a wealth of musical training and an impressive resume of awards and
worldwide tour appearances. Making its Mandel Hall debut, the quartet
tackles three works by the iconic composers of the string quartet
repertoire.
Friday / January 29 / 7:30 pm
Berlin Philharmonic Wind Quintet
Farkas: Antiche Danze ungheresi dal secolo XVII
György Orbán: Quintet
Ligeti: Six Bagatelles
Elliott Carter: Quintet
Nielsen: Quintet, op. 43
Firmly rooted in the tradition of its great European parent orchestra,
the Berlin Philharmonic Wind Quintet is a titan among chamber
ensembles. For more than 20 years, the critically acclaimed quintet has
enthralled audiences with its wide repertoire and dynamic cohesiveness.
On this performance, the ensemble presents a diverse collection of
significant works from the past century, including the Ligeti and
Nielsen wind quintets.
Friday / February 19 / 7:30 pm
Philip Setzer, violin
David Finckel, cello
Wu Han, piano
Pre-concert lecture by Steven Rings
Schubert: Piano Trio in B-flat major, D. 898, op. 99
Piano Trio in E-flat major, D. 929, op. 100
In his final years, Schubert contributed some of the Romantic period's
most sublime works, highlighted by the two piano trios. Chicago
audiences will have an exclusive opportunity to hear both on the same
program, performed by Philip Setzer and David Finckel of the
incomparable Emerson String Quartet. Joining them is esteemed pianist
and frequent Emerson collaborator, Wu Han.
Friday / February 26 / 7:30 pm
Orion String Quartet
Peter Serkin, piano
J.S. Bach / arr. Sam Baron: Contrapunctus I from Art of the Fugue, BWV 1080
Leon Kirchner: String Quartet No. 4
Beethoven: Quartet in E-flat major, op. 74, "Harp"
Brahms: Quintet in F minor, op. 34
Over the past two decades, the Orion String Quartet has enjoyed a high
demand for its imaginative programming, precision and unique
personality. Fresh from a season of tackling the Beethoven quartet
catalog, the foursome appears in a rare intimate concert with
celebrated pianist Peter Serkin. The diverse program includes Leon
Kirchner's String Quartet, composed for the Orion, and Brahms' richly
textured Piano Quintet.
Friday / April 30 / 7:30 pm
Belcea Quartet
Pre-concert lecture by Steven Rings
Beethoven: Quartet in B-flat major, op. 18, no. 6
Szymanowski: Quartet No. 2, op. 56
Bartók: Quartet No. 1, op. 7
The Belcea Quartet enthralled Chicago audiences during its recent
Mandel Hall debut. Considered "among the finest of their generation,"
the members of England's young foursome received stellar reviews for
their 2008 recording of the six Bartók quartets. Returning to Mandel
Hall by enthusiastic demand, the Belcea Quartet closes its performance
with the stirring First Quartet.