Friday / October 3 / 7:30 pm

The Saint Paul Chamber Orchestra
Pierre-Laurent Aimard, conductor/piano

Debussy/arr. Busser: Petite Suite
Messiaen: Oiseaux exotiques
Beethoven: Piano Concerto No. 4 in G major, op.58

Pierre-Laurent Aimard, newly appointed SPCO Artistic Partner, will make his Mandel Hall debut. The SPCO, kicking off its second three-year residency at the University, will present a program featuring one of the cornerstones of Messiaen's repertoire, Oiseaux exotiques. The second half of the program takes a cue from Messiaen's life, closing with a piece Messiaen himself toured with in Europe during the 1950s.

Sunday / October 5 / 3 pm

John Bruce Yeh, clarinet
Cho-Liang Lin, violin
Gary Hoffman, cello
Christopher Taylor, piano

Debussy: Premiere Rhapsody
Ravel: Duo For Cello and Piano
Messiaen: Quatour pour la fin du temps (Quartet For the End of Time)

The contributions to chamber music by Messiaen and his contemporaries are highlighted in this concert featuring three of the genre's most renowned works, including the Quartet For the End of Time. Four musical colleagues, each a successful soloist in his own right, come together in Chicago for this very special recital.

Friday / October 31 / 7:30 p.m.

Guarneri String Quartet
FAREWELL PERFORMANCE

Kodály: String Quartet No. 2, op. 10
Mozart: String Quartet in D minor, K. 421
Dvorák: String Quartet in F major, op. 96, "American"

Throughout its history, the renowned Guarneri String Quartet has been the subject of television and radio specials, books, and a feature film. After 45 years of award-winning recordings and premieres, the acclaimed quartet will bid a fond farewell. In their final Mandel Hall performance, hear why critics have dubbed Guarneri "the dean of American quartets."

Friday / November 21 / 7:30 p.m.

Johannes Moser, cello
Paul Ravinius, piano

Beethoven: Cello Sonata in C major, op. 102, no. 1
Britten: Cello Sonata in C major
Takemitsu: Orion
Beethoven: Cello Sonata in D major, op. 102, no. 2

Since winning the 2002 Tchaikovsky Competition, German-born cellist Johannes Moser has become a regular fixture on the stages of Europe's most prestigious festivals. With two solo recordings already under his belt, the 28-year-old artist performs a diverse program book-ended by works from Beethoven's final collection of cello sonatas.

Vladimir Feltsman, piano

J.S. Bach: Partita No. 1 in B-flat major, BWV 825
Beethoven: Sonata in C minor, op. 13, "Pathetique"
Musorgsky: Pictures at an Exhibition

Equally known for his expansive repertoire and passionate interpretations, Vladimir Feltsman never ceases to amaze. One of the most prominent names among American pianists today, the former Soviet artist is a regular guest with the leading orchestras and music festivals worldwide as both a performer and conductor.

Takács Quartet
Marc-André Hamelin, piano

Haydn: String Quartet in G major, op. 77, no. 1
Bartók: String Quartet No. 5, BB 110
Schumann: Piano Quintet in E-flat major, op. 44

The Takács Quartet is recognized as one of the world's foremost string quartets, building upon more than three decades of innovative programming and performing excellence. In a concert including one of their specialties--the music of Bartók--the ensemble joins with another giant of the classical music world, pianist Marc-André Hamelin.

Edgar Meyer, bass
Amy Dorfman, piano

Beyond his status as world-class instrumentalist, Meyer has established himself as an important composer. In this special recital, he will perform works by J.S. Bach paired with his own original compositions.