Komunikat Prasowy
CHICAGO (June 29, 2021) – Terell Johnson, the incoming Executive Director of Chicago Philharmonic, proudly announces Chicago Philharmonic’s 32nd Season titled “Rejoice!” as it marks the orchestra’s long-awaited return to live performances. The Chicago Philharmonic’s 2021-22 season is conducted by Artistic Director and Principal Conductor Scott Speck, named 2021 Conductor of the Year by Illinois Council of Orchestras, and features three World Premieres by composers Nicholas Hubbell and Chicago Philharmonic Composers-in-Residence Jonathan Bingham and Reinaldo Moya, plus the Midwest Premiere of Pulitzer Prize and three-time Grammy-winner Jennifer Higdon’s mandolin concerto performed by classical music superstar Avi Avital.
“There are many reasons for us to rejoice!” said Johnson, who officially beings his new position as Executive Director on July 1, 2021. “I am so proud to be moving to Chicago to join the prestigious Chicago Philharmonic, an organization deeply committed to transforming diverse audiences with the beauty and power of great artistry. This forthcoming season, we promise a triumphant return and look forward to welcoming audiences back to some of our beloved venues, including North Shore Center for the Performing Arts and Harris Theater for Music and Dance.”
Single tickets and subscriptions for the 32nd Season begin at $25 (students $10) and go on sale Monday, July 19 at 12:00 pm at chicagophilharmonic.org.
About the 2021–2022 Season
Out of the Silence: Copland, Mozart, Norris, and StillSunday, September 12, 3:00 pm
North Shore Center for the Performing Arts, 9501 Skokie Blvd, Skokie
Maestro Scott Speck returns triumphantly to conduct Chicago Philharmonic for the first time at the North Shore Center for the Performing Arts since 2020. The beauty, possibility, and bittersweet nostalgia of the American spirit is captured through Copland’s Appalachian Spring and Still’s Out of the Silence. Plus, Chicago Philharmonic’s own Sergey Gutorov shines in a brilliant rendition of Mozart’s beloved Clarinet Concerto, and violin virtuoso Njioma Grevious performs Composer-in-Residence Marcus Norris’ electric Glory.
Simply Serenades: Brahms, Dvorak, and World Premiere by Bingham
Sunday, November 21, 3:00 pm
North Shore Center for the Performing Arts, 9501 Skokie Blvd, Skokie
This concert, conducted by Scott Speck, includes stunning serenades from two of the great masters of the form, alongside a world premiere serenade from Composer-in-Residence Jonathan Bingham. Johannes Brahms’ Serenade No. 2 contains the unmistakable warmth, grace, and meticulousness that defined the composer’s canon. The bright, inventive, Czech-inspired melodies in Antonin Dvorak’s Serenade for winds, cello and bass remain some of the finest of his career.
Fanfare Chicago:Respighi, Midwest Premiere by Higdon, World Premieres by Moya and Hubbell
Sunday, March 27, 3:00 pm
Harris Theater for Music and Dance, 205 E Randolph St, Chicago
Maestro Speck leads the orchestra in a once-in-a-lifetime Chicago Philharmonic performance of world premieres by today’s phenomenal composers, including the Midwest premiere of Pulitzer Prize and three-time Grammy-winner Jennifer Higdon’s mandolin concerto, played to perfection by classical music superstar Avi Avital. Plus, Chicago Philharmonic Fanfare Competition winner Nicholas Hubbell presents his world premiere of Chicago Fanfare and Composer-in-Residence Reinaldo Moya shares his world premiere, alongside the sumptuous music of Respighi’s Gli uccelli (The Birds) and Trittico botticelliano.
Aretha Rising
Sunday, May 29, 7:00 pm
Harris Theater for Music and Dance, 205 E Randolph St, Chicago
This concert pays tribute to the Queen of Soul, Aretha Franklin, as Maestro Speck conducts Broadway star Capathia Jenkins and three-time Grammy Award nominee Ryan Shaw as they light up the Harris Theater stage. The program includes Respect, Think, A Natural Woman, Chain of Fools, Amazing Grace, and many more.
To support The Chicago Philharmonic Society by making a donation, visit chicagophilharmonic.org or call 312-957-0000.
ABOUT THE CHICAGO PHILHARMONIC SOCIETY
The Chicago Philharmonic Society is a collaboration of nearly 200 of the highest-level classical musicians performing in the Chicago metropolitan area. Governed under a groundbreaking structure of musician leadership, the Society presents concerts at venues throughout the Chicago area that cover the full spectrum of symphonic music. The Society’s orchestra, known simply as the Chicago Philharmonic, has been called one of the country’s finest symphonic orchestras, and its unique chamber music ensembles, which perform as Chicago Phil Chamber, draw from its vast pool of versatile musicians. The Society’s community engagement programs connect Chicago-area youth to classical music by providing access to symphonic concerts, mentorship from Chicago Philharmonic musicians, and performance opportunities. Founded 32 years ago, the Chicago Philharmonic is known for providing symphonic support to international and national touring companies in all music genres and served as the official orchestra of the Joffrey Ballet for eight years. The Chicago Philharmonic also continues its nearly 30-year association with Ravinia Festival, is a resident company of the Harris Theater for Music and Dance, and performs at all the great concert halls of the Chicago and North Shore area, including Auditorium Theatre and Symphony Center. The Illinois Council of Orchestras has awarded the Chicago Philharmonic “Orchestra of the Year'' (2018), “Programming of the Year” (2019), “Community Relations of the Year” (2019), “Executive Director of the Year” (2020), and “Conductor of the Year” (2021). More information can be found at chicagophilharmonic.org.
ABOUT ARTISTIC DIRECTOR AND PRINCIPAL CONDUCTOR SCOTT SPECK
Scott Speck, Illinois Council of Orchestras’ 2021 Conductor of the Year, was named Artistic Director and Principal Conductor of Chicago Philharmonic in June of 2013 and has been Music Director of the Joffrey Ballet since 2010. His concerts with the Moscow RTV Symphony Orchestra in Tchaikovsky Hall garnered unanimous praise. His gala performances with Yo-Yo Ma, Itzhak Perlman, Renée Fleming, Joshua Bell, Midori, Evelyn Glennie, and Olga Kern have highlighted his recent and current seasons as Music Director of the Mobile Symphony. This season he also collaborates intensively with Carnegie Hall for the tenth time as Music Director of the West Michigan Symphony. He was invited to the White House as former Music Director of the Washington Ballet.
In past seasons Scott Speck has conducted at New York's Lincoln Center, London’s Royal Opera House at Covent Garden, the Paris Opera, Chicago’s Symphony Center, Washington’s Kennedy Center, San Francisco’s War Memorial Opera House, and the Los Angeles Music Center. He has led numerous performances with the great symphony orchestras around the world. He is also the co-author of three of the world’s bestselling books on classical music for a popular audience, Classical Music for Dummies, Opera for Dummies and Ballet for Dummies, and Ballet for Dummies. These books have been translated into twenty languages and are available around the world. Scott Speck has been a regular commentator on National Public Radio, the BBC, the Australian Broadcasting Corporation, and Voice of Russia, broadcast throughout the world. He has been featured in TED talks and at the Aspen Ideas Festival. His writing has been featured in numerous magazines and journals. Scott Speck can be reached at scottspeck.org, on Twitter and Instagram @ScottSpeckMusic, and at facebook.com/ScottSpeckMusic.
