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UNIVERSITY OF CHICAGO PRESENTS ANNOUNCES 74th SEASON

2017/18 season features Ligeti series and international talent across genres

EMBARGOED until March 13, 2017

PHOTOSPlease visit http://bit.ly/2lU4gDf

PRESS CONTACTSamantha FarmilantMarketing CoordinatorUniversity of Chicago [email protected]

2017/18 Season Highlights

A season-long celebration of the life and music of György Ligeti Recital appearances by violinist Leila Josefowicz and pianist

Pierre-Laurent Aimard Clarinetist-saxophonist Anat Cohen and her Tentet – plus a

surprise guest – launch the fifth season of Jazz at the Logan and celebrate the Reva and David Logan Center for the Arts’ fifth anniversary.

A beer-hall romp by the imaginative Norwegian early music band Barokksolistene

A three-concert Imani Winds series, showcasing the University’s Don Michael Randel Ensemble in Residence

The return of pianist Alexander Melnikov with Shostakovich’s complete Preludes and Fugues

A program of original songs by chanteuse René Marie A five-concert Contempo season, featuring new music groups

Talea Ensemble, Ensemble Dal Niente, and the International Contemporary Ensemble (ICE)

CHICAGO – The University of Chicago Presents (UCP) Executive Director Amy Iwano announces the 2017/18 season for the University’s concert series. Running from October 6, 2017 through May 17, 2018, UCP’s 74th season encompasses 25 classical, early music, contemporary, and jazz concerts featuring stars established and rising.

Chicago debuts are a hallmark of UCP, and this season audiences will enjoy long-overdue first Chicago appearances of acclaimed lyric tenor Christoph Prégardien and the wildly popular Quatuor Ebène, among other artists. Related events include pre-concert lectures, cross-genre collaborations, and jazz listening sessions.

Complementing the established UCP series are a series featuring resident ensemble Imani Winds and a five-concert tribute to the prodigious late composer György Ligeti. Says Iwano, “György Ligeti has been described as “the poet of sonorous matter” and is one of the 20th century’s most significant composers. His music has been revelatory for countless musicians and listeners alike. I’m honored that so many artists and ensembles as well as UChicago faculty were enthusiastic about participating in this series, and I hope this series will be a gateway to a love for contemporary music for a new generation.” Additional Ligeti series events will be announced at a later date.BY SERIES

The Classic Concert Series features internationally renowned artists who return to UChicago Presents’ stages or who are new to Chicago audiences. The Arditti Quartet – celebrated for its interpretations of twentieth century and contemporary works – kicks off both the Classic Concert and Ligeti Series. Recital appearances by lauded violin virtuoso Leila Josefowicz and pianist John Novacek, pianist Alexander Melnikov, and tenor Christoph Prégardien and pianist Julius Drake follow. The season ends with the Chicago debuts of chamber ensembles Quatuor Ebène and the Montrose Trio.

This season, the Howard Mayer Brown International Early Music Series hosts ensembles specializing in Medieval, Renaissance, and Baroque music. In the fall UCP raises a glass with An Alehouse Session, featuring the Barokksolistene, a Norwegian Baroque ensemble led by violinist Bjarte Eike. Next, the German ensemble amarcord celebrates 500 years of the Lutheran Reformation with Bach motets and Gregorian chants translated by Martin Luther himself. In a special project, The Boston Camerata mounts a production of the medieval mystery play The Play of Daniel. The series concludes with a multimedia performance by members of the Bay area Philharmonia Baroque Orchestra profiling Jewish Italian composer Salamone Rossi.

Contempo begins its 53rd season and third year under artistic director and composer Marta Ptaszyńska. The programming features new music ensembles Talea Ensemble, Ensemble Dal Niente, and the International Contemporary Ensemble (ICE). This year’s concerts include The Young and Brilliant, showcasing works by international composers under 40, and Echoes of the Earth, a program inspired by the

UChicago Presents 2017/18 season 2

natural world. The Contempo-Jazz Double Bill returns with Imani Winds, Ensemble Dal Niente, pianist Geri Allen, and guests. The series concludes with Tomorrow’s Music Today, presenting works by students in the University of Chicago’s nationally renowned composition department.

Now in its fifth year, Jazz at the Logan brings the biggest names in jazz to the University of Chicago campus. Superstar reed player and bandleader Anat Cohen kicks off the series with her Tentet, followed by pianist Brad Mehldau and his Trio. Later on, singer René Marie makes her anticipated UCP debut, and Songs of Freedom – a tribute program to vocalists Joni Mitchell, Nina Simone, and Abbey Lincoln assembled by drummer and bandleader Ulysses Owens Jr. – comes to Chicago from New York. Percussionist Brian Blade and his Fellowship Band close out the season.

In addition to the aforementioned Arditti Quartet concert, the season-exclusive Ligeti Series includes four concerts: a joint performance with Don Michael Randel Ensemble in Residence Imani Winds and Ensemble Dal Niente, the return of Eighth Blackbird alongside Hungarian percussion ensemble Amadinda, an appearance by Third Coast Percussion with vocalist Rachel Calloway, and legendary pianist Pierre-Laurent Aimard in recital.

The Imani Winds closes out its two-year residency at the University with a special civil rights-inspired concert. The program features works by prolific composer Frederic Rzewski and MacArthur Fellow Vijay Iyer, and a world premiere by Pulitzer Prize-winner Henry Threadgill. Pianist Cory Smythe and a gospel choir join the award-winning quintet at the Logan Center.

FULL CONCERT SCHEDULE – organized by date

Please note, all matinee concerts begin at 2:00 PM instead of 3:00 PM, as in previous seasons.

Friday, October 6 / 7:30 PM / International House Barokksolistene*

Saturday, October 7 / 7:30 PM / Logan Center for the Arts Anat Cohen Tentet

UChicago Presents 2017/18 season3

Friday, October 20 / 7:30 PM / Mandel Hall Arditti Quartet

Friday, October 27 / 7:30 PM / Logan Center for the Arts Contempo: The Young and Brilliant Friday, November 3 / 7:30 PM / Mandel Hall Leila Josefowicz and John Novacek Friday, November 10 / 7:30 PM / Logan Center for the Arts Imani Winds and Ensemble Dal Niente

Friday, November 17 / 7:30 PM / Rockefeller Chapelamarcord*

Friday, December 1 / 7:30 PM / Logan Center for the Arts Brad Mehldau Trio

Friday, January 19/ 7:30 PM / Logan Center for the Arts René Marie & Experiment in Truth

Sunday, January 21 / 2:00 PM / Rockefeller Chapel The Boston Camerata

Friday, January 28 / 2:00 PM / Mandel Hall Alexander Melnikov

Friday, February 2 / 7:30 PM / Logan Center for the ArtsEighth Blackbird and Amadinda

Friday, February 9 / 7:30 PM / Logan Center for the Arts Contempo-Jazz Double Bill

Friday, February 16 / 7:30 PM / Logan Center for the Arts Third Coast Percussion

Sunday, February 18 / 2:00 PM / Mandel Hall Christoph Prégardien* and Julius Drake Friday, March 2 / 7:30 PM / Mandel HallQuatuor Ebène*

Tuesday, March 6 / 7:30 PM / Logan Center for the Arts Pierre-Laurent Aimard


Friday, April 6 / 7:30 PM / Logan Center for the ArtsUlysses Owens Jr.’s Songs of Freedom*

Sunday, April 8 / 2:00 PM / Logan Center for the ArtsPhilharmonia Baroque Friday, April 20 / 7:30 PM / Mandel Hall Montrose Trio*

Sunday, April 22 / 2:00 PM / Logan Center for the Arts Contempo: Echoes of the Earth

Friday, April 27 / 7:30 PM / Logan Center for the Arts Contempo: Tomorrow’s Music Today I

Friday, May 4 / 7:30 PM / Logan Center for the Arts Contempo: Tomorrow’s Music Today II

Friday, May 11 / 7:30 PM / Logan Center for the ArtsImani Winds Thursday, May 17 / 7:30 PM / Logan Center for the Arts Brian Blade & The Fellowship Band

* = Chicago debut


FULL CONCERT SCHEDULE – organized by series

CLASSIC CONCERT SERIES

Since 1943, this renowned series has brought myriad ensembles, artists, and composers to the University of Chicago campus. The 2017/18 season is no exception, presenting six diverse programs on the Mandel Hall stage.

FRIDAY / OCTOBER 20 / 7:30 PM / MANDEL HALLArditti Quartet

Bartók: String Quartet No. 3 G. Ligeti: String Quartet No. 1 “Métamorphoses nocturnes” G. Ligeti: String Quartet No. 2 Bartók: String Quartet No. 4

Known for its focus on the modern and contemporary canons, Arditti Quartet opens the Classic Concert Series.

This concert also appears on the Ligeti Series.

FRIDAY / NOVEMBER 3 / 7:30 PM / MANDEL HALLLeila Josefowicz, violin, and John Novacek, piano

Sibelius: Valse Triste, Op. 44, arr. Friedrich Hermann Prokofiev: Sonata No. 1 in F minor, Op. 80 Mahler: Adagietto (from Symphony No. 5), arr. Robert Wittinger Kaija Saariaho: Calices Bernd Alois Zimmermann: Sonata

A celebrated interpreter of standard and contemporary repertoire alike, violinist Leila Josefowicz performs with frequent recital partner John Novacek.

SUNDAY / JANUARY 28 / 2:00 PM / MANDEL HALLAlexander Melnikov, piano

Shostakovich: 24 Preludes and Fugues, Op. 87

Inspired by Bach’s Well-Tempered Clavier, Shostakovich wrote this rarely-heard set of twenty-four pieces – one in each major and minor key


of the chromatic scale. Alexander Melnikov’s 2010 recording of the set (Harmonia Mundi) was named one of the fifty best recordings of all time by BBC Music Magazine.

SUNDAY / FEBRUARY 18 / 2:00 PM / MANDEL HALL / CHICAGO DEBUTChristoph Prégardien, tenor, and Julius Drake, piano

Poetische Tagebuch - Schubert songs

Lyric tenor and lieder specialist Christoph Prégardien makes his Chicago debut and a rare stateside visit with the pianist Julius Drake; together, they present an afternoon of poems set to music by Franz Schubert.

FRIDAY / MARCH 2 / 7:30 PM / MANDEL HALL / CHICAGO DEBUTQuatuor Ebène

Haydn: Quartet in D minor, Op. 76, No. 2 “Fifths” Fauré: Quartet in E minor, Op. 121 Beethoven: Quartet in E-flat Major, Op. 74 “Harp”

Versatility is a trademark of the much-lauded French quartet; here they breathe new life into a program of classics.

FRIDAY / APRIL 20 / 7:30 PM / MANDEL HALL / CHICAGO DEBUTMontrose Trio

Turina: Trio in B minor, Op. 76 Beethoven: Trio in E-flat Major, Op. 1, No. 1 Mendelssohn: Trio in C minor, Op. 66

In 2014, former violinist Martin Beaver and cellist Clive Greensmith of the famed Tokyo Quartet joined with their long-time collaborator, pianist Jon Kimura Parker, to form the Montrose Trio.


HOWARD MAYER BROWN INTERNATIONAL EARLY MUSIC SERIES

Founded in 1981, this concert series spans from Medieval and Renaissance to Baroque and features artists dedicated to historically researched, informed programming, and original instrument practices.

FRIDAY / OCTOBER 6 / 7:30 PM / INTERNATIONAL HOUSE / CHICAGO DEBUTBarokksolistene with Bjarte Eike, violin

An Alehouse Session

In the late 17th century, when theaters were shuttered due to religious reasons, many English alehouses were turned into so-called Musick-Houses. There, musicians gathered to play for enthusiastic audiences; even Henry Purcell was known to premiere some of his music in this informal, intimate setting. The Norwegian ensemble Barokksolistene pays homage to the tavern tradition with this lively program.

FRIDAY/ NOVEMBER 17 / 7:30 PM / ROCKEFELLER CHAPEL / CHICAGO DEBUTamarcord

Luther and Music

Founded in 1992 by former members of the St. Thomas Boys Choir in Leipzig, amarcord has since become one of the world’s premier vocal ensembles. To mark the 500th anniversary of the Lutheran Reformation, they offer a program of five Gregorian chants – in both the original Latin and Martin Luther’s translation – alongside Reformation and Counter-Reformation era motets by J. S. Bach.

SUNDAY/ JANUARY 21 / 2:00 PM / ROCKEFELLER CHAPELThe Boston Camerata with St. Luke’s Episcopal Church Children’s Choir

The Play of Daniel: A Medieval Masterpiece Revisited

The Play of Daniel is a medieval mystery play composed eight centuries ago in Beauvais, France. Under Anne Azéma’s direction (music and staging), this production combines old and new to retell the biblical story of the young prophet.


SUNDAY/ APRIL 8 / 2:00 PM / LOGAN CENTER Philharmonia Baroque with Sherezade Panthaki, soprano

Sessions: Italian Baroque Music from the Jewish Ghetto

Conductor Nicholas McGegan, singers, and members of the Philharmonia Baroque Orchestra lead a multimedia tour highlighting the music of Jewish composer Salamone Rossi and his contemporaries, including Claudio Monteverdi. A reception with the artists follows the performance.

CONTEMPO SERIES

In its 53rd season, Contempo curates the bold visions of today’s most innovative composers under artistic director Marta Ptaszyńska.

FRIDAY, OCTOBER 27 / 7:30 PM / LOGAN CENTER THE YOUNG AND BRILLIANT with Talea Ensemble

Vito Zuraj: FramedJustyna Kowalska-Lason: A Light exists in Spring Nicolai Worsaae: WaWV Christian Mason: Noctilucence Ondřej Adámek: Ça tourne ça bloque

Contempo presents recent works by young composers who already have a worldwide presence.

FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 9 / 7:30 PM / LOGAN CENTER CONTEMPO-JAZZ DOUBLE BILL with Imani Winds, Ensemble Dal Niente, Geri Allen, piano, and guests

Marta Ptaszyńska: Sextet for Piano and WindsReena Esmail: The Light is the SameAugusta Read Thomas: Bassoon Concertino

Jazz set with Geri Allen

The Contempo-Jazz Double Bill returns with a focus on female composers across generations and genres.

This concert also appears on the Imani Winds Series.


SUNDAY, APRIL 22 / 2:00 PM / LOGAN CENTER ECHOES OF THE EARTH with International Contemporary Ensemble (ICE)

George Crumb: 11 Echoes of Autumn Harrison Birtwistle: Some Petals from my Twickenham HerbariumMario Davidovsky: Synchronisms No. 3Toru Takemitsu: Rain Spell Pauline Oliveros: Earth Ears Krzysztof Penderecki: Sextet

Major composers’ inspirations by and reflections on nature form the theme for this program.

FRIDAY, APRIL 27 / 7:30 PM / LOGAN CENTER TOMORROW’S MUSIC TODAY I

FRIDAY, MAY 4 / 7:30 PM / LOGAN CENTERTOMORROW’S MUSIC TODAY II

Tomorrow’s Music Today concerts feature music by emerging talent – University of Chicago doctoral candidates in composition – performed by Chicago-based Ensemble Dal Niente.


JAZZ AT THE LOGAN SERIES

Jazz at the Logan celebrates its fifth season bringing world-class artists to the concert stage on Chicago’s South Side.

SATURDAY / OCTOBER 7 / 7:30 PM / LOGAN CENTERAnat Cohen Tentet

Clarinetist Anat Cohen and her Tentet – plus a surprise guest – celebrate the Logan Center’s fifth anniversary by opening the Jazz at the Logan series.

FRIDAY / DECEMBER 1 / 7:30 PM / LOGAN CENTER Brad Mehldau Trio

The American pianist, composer, and arranger and his trio perform selections from their 2016 album Blues and Ballads and more.

FRIDAY, JANUARY 19 / 7:30 PM / LOGAN CENTER René Marie & Experiment in Truth

René Marie and the trio Experiment in Truth share highlights from 2016’s Sound of Red, Marie’s first album of self-penned originals.

FRIDAY / APRIL 6 / 7:30 PM/ LOGAN CENTER / CHICAGO DEBUTUlysses Owens Jr.’s Songs of Freedomfeaturing Theo Bleckmann, Alicia Olatuja, and Joanna Majoko

Julie and Parker Hall Annual Jazz Concert

Songs of Freedom, developed at Jazz at Lincoln Center, explores the 1960s through the work of three prolific, indelible artists: Joni Mitchell, Abbey Lincoln, and Nina Simone.

THURSDAY / MAY 17 / 7:30 PM / LOGAN CENTER Brian Blade & The Fellowship Band

Drummer Brian Blade brings his Fellowship Band to close the season.


GYÖRGY LIGETI SERIES

This season UChicago Presents offers a series dedicated to exploring the life, works, influences, and legacy of György Ligeti (1923-2006), one of the most significant 20th century composers.

The series begins and ends with artists who had close and deep associations with Ligeti, bookending performances of his works by younger generations of artists and ensembles who continue to perpetuate his legacy.

FRIDAY / OCTOBER 20 / 7:30 PM / MANDEL HALLArditti Quartet

Bartók: String Quartet No. 3 G. Ligeti: String Quartet No. 1, “Métamorphoses nocturnes” G. Ligeti: String Quartet No. 2 Bartók: String Quartet No. 4

Known for its focus on the modern and contemporary canons, Arditti Quartet launches the Ligeti festival.

This concert also appears on the Classic Concert Series.

FRIDAY / NOVEMBER 10 / 7:30 PM / LOGAN CENTERImani Winds, Ensemble Dal Niente, and guests

The dynamic and adventurous Imani Winds – along with Ensemble Dal Niente and guests –showcases György Ligeti’s chamber music, including two of his important works – his Ten Pieces for wind quintet and the Horn Trio, written as an homage to Johannes Brahms.

This concert also appears on the Imani Winds Series.

FRIDAY / FEBRUARY 2 / 7:30 PM / LOGAN CENTER Eighth Blackbird and Amadinda

Lukas Ligeti: New workMáté Bella: New workSteve Reich: SextetG. Ligeti: Etudes, arr. Eighth Blackbird


Hungarian percussion group Amadinda, for whom Ligeti composed, and Chicago-based Eighth Blackbird join forces for a program of influences – music by his son, by his young country mate (Máté Bella), and by an American composer also influenced by African drumming polyrhythms. The program concludes with Eighth Blackbird’s fascinating arrangements of several Ligeti piano études.

FRIDAY / FEBRUARY 16 / 7:30 PM / LOGAN CENTERThird Coast Percussion with Rachel Calloway, mezzo-soprano

G. Ligeti: Continuum Christopher Cerrone: The Goldbeater’s Skin (Chicago premiere) G. Ligeti: Poème Symphonique (for 100 metronomes) G. Ligeti: Síppal, dobbal, nádihegedüvel (With Pipes, Drums, Fiddles)

Third Coast Percussion presents three Ligeti works, including the virtuosic Continuum, the whimsical song cycle Síppal, dobbal, nádihegedüvel, and Poème Symphonique, a “spectacle” for 100 mechanical metronomes, produced here with UChicago students. Pulitzer Prize finalist Christopher Cerrone’s new piece for voice and percussion draws on Ligeti’s Síppal, dobbal, nádihegedüvel using the same instrumentation.

TUESDAY / MARCH 6 / 7:30 PM / LOGAN CENTER Pierre-Laurent Aimard, piano

G. Ligeti: Etudes Beethoven: Sonata No. 29 in B-flat Major, Op. 106 “Hammerklavier”

The Ligeti series concludes with the highly lauded Pierre-Laurent Aimard, who had a long association with Ligeti. He pairs the composer’s études with a Beethoven sonata widely considered to be one of the most demanding works in the piano repertoire.


IMANI WINDS SERIES The premier wind quintet, Imani Winds, continues its presence across the University community in its second and final year as Don Michael Randel Ensemble in Residence.

FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 10 / 7:30 PM / LOGAN CENTER Imani Winds, Ensemble Dal Niente, and guests

The versatile Imani Winds – along with Ensemble Dal Niente and guests – showcases György Ligeti’s chamber music, including two of his important works – his Ten Pieces for wind quintet and the Horn Trio, written as an homage to Johannes Brahms.

This concert also appears on the Ligeti Series.

FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 9 / 7:30 PM / LOGAN CENTER Imani Winds, Ensemble Dal Niente, Geri Allen, piano, and guests

Contempo-Jazz Double Bill Marta Ptaszyńska: Sextet Reena Esmail: The Light is the SameAugusta Read Thomas: Bassoon Concertino

Jazz set with Geri Allen

This concert also appears on the Contempo Series.

FRIDAY, MAY 11 / 7:30 PM / LOGAN CENTERImani Winds, Cory Smythe, piano, and gospel choir

A Change is Gon’ Come

Frederic Rzewski: Sometimes Vijay Iyer: Bruits Henry Threadgill: New work (world premiere) Traditional arr. Jeff Scott: American spiritualsSam Cooke arr. Imani Winds: A Change is Gonna Come

Imani Winds closes its UChicago residency with a concert celebrating the continuing civil rights movement. Frederic Rzewski’s work is dedicated to John Hope Franklin, a distinguished scholar of African-American history who taught at UChicago; Vijay Iyer’s piece was


partially influenced by the death of Trayvon Martin; and Pulitzer Prize-winner Henry Threadgill’s new work reflects both his time in Chicago and civil rights.

Supported by the Center for the Study of Race, Politics and Culture.


TICKETS

Subscription series, starting as low as $56, will be available across six different series, offering patrons significant savings of 25% off single ticket prices. A full-season pass to all 25 concerts is available at a 30% savings. UChicago Presents extends University and staff discounts, first time subscriber and Under 35 discounts, youth tickets, and the opportunity to create your own series with a Pick 4- or Pick 6-concert flexible series option.

Ticket information and an order form are available online beginning Tuesday, March 14, 2017 at chicagopresents.uchicago.edu/tickets/subscription. First time subscribers may order online at ticketsweb.uchicago.edu/subscriptions.

Patrons may also call 773.702.ARTS (2787) or visit the UChicago Arts Box Office at Logan Center for the Arts, 915 E. 60th Street, Tues–Sat, 12–6pm.

CONCERT VENUESThis season, the University of Chicago Presents holds concerts at the following locations:

Mandel Hall: 1131 East 57th Street, Chicago, IL 60637 Reva and David Logan Center for the Arts: 915 East 60th Street,

Chicago, IL 60637 Rockefeller Memorial Chapel: 5850 South Woodlawn Avenue,

Chicago, IL 60637 International House: 1414 East 59th Street, Chicago, IL 60637

ABOUT THE UNIVERSITY OF CHICAGO PRESENTS

Established in 1943, The University of Chicago Presents series brings extraordinary artists from around the world to Chicago. Artists engage with audiences, scholars, and students in dynamic live performances, educational and enrichment experiences, and community engagement activities through a diverse mix of chamber music and recitals, early, contemporary, jazz, and world music, including artist residencies, commissions, and premieres.

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