Stories @ Christ Church Chicago
Journey through musical narratives from across time and cultures with “Stories,” a captivating program that celebrates the power of musical storytelling. Opening with Fred Onovwerosuoke’s vibrant Nubian Dances No. 1, the full ensemble brings to life the rhythms and melodies of Northeast Africa, creating a colorful sonic tapestry.
The first half culminates in Aaron Copland’s iconic Appalachian Spring (transcribed by Jonathon Kirk), where the ensemble paints a vivid portrait of American frontier life through Copland’s distinctive harmonic language and folk-inspired melodies.
After intermission, Jessie Montgomery’s works take center stage with the playful interactions of Play for mixed quartet and the intimate dialogue of Peace for violin and piano, showcasing her gift for weaving personal narratives through diverse instrumental voices.
The program then travels back in time with Georg Philipp Telemann’s elegant Paris Quartet, a Baroque gem that demonstrates the composer’s mastery of French and Italian styles. The journey concludes with James Stephenson’s evocative Persephone, where the full ensemble brings the ancient Greek myth to life through contemporary musical language.
Program
Fred Onovwerosuoke | Nubian Dances No. 1 (full ensemble)
Aaron Copland trans. Kirk | Appalachian Spring (full ensemble)
Intermission
Jessie Montgomery | Play (flute, clarinet, violin, cello)
Jessie Montgomery | Peace (violin, piano)
Georg Philipp Telemann | Paris Quartet in e minor (flute, violin, cello, piano)
Prélude
Gai
Vite
Modéré
James Stephenson | Persephone (full ensemble)
Artists
Jennie Oh Brown | flute
Andrea R. DiOrio | clarinet
Elizabeth Brausa Brathwaite | violin
Tahirah Whittington | cello
Daniel Schlosberg | piano
Jonathon Kirk | composer-in-residence
