The International House Global Voices Performing Arts Series presents the Chicago Ensemble’s fourth program in their series of chamber music concerts on Sunday, April 27th at 6:30PM. This concert holds some of the eclectic and off-the-beaten-path repertoire for which the group is known.  Beethoven is certainly not off-the-beaten-path, however, his own rearrangement of his Septet, op. 20, into a trio of clarinet, cello and piano, op. 38, is not frequently heard.  The piece has some of the composer’s most charming music and was extremely popular in the time of the composer’s life.  Max Reger is a late Romantic German composer usually associated with music of Bach-like complexity, but his delightful Serenade No. 2 in G Major, op. 144a for flute, violin and viola shows a graceful, Mozartian aspect of his style. The English composer William Walton’s Piano Quartet was written in 1921, when the composer was an undergraduate, but was revised by the composer in 1976.  It is a compelling work with expressive harmony calling to mind Ravel.  Appearing on the April program are Susan Levitin, flute, Elizandro Garcia-Montoya, clarinet, Olga Kaler, violin, Karl Davies, viola, Andrew Show, cello, and the group’s artistic director, Gerry Rizzer, piano.

For more than 30 years, The Chicago Ensemble has brought a fascinating array of chamber works to Chicago audiences. Offering an innovative mix of familiar masterworks and lesser-known repertoire, performed in varied combinations of instruments and voice, The Chicago Ensemble occupies a unique place in Chicago’s cultural life. Outstanding musicians from the Chicago Symphony Orchestra, Lyric Opera Orchestra, Chicago Sinfonietta and other distinguished area organizations come together in The Chicago Ensemble. Through the Discover America competition for new chamber works, The Chicago Ensemble introduces Chicago audiences to innovative works by contemporary composers.  The Chicago Ensemble performs 10 subscription concerts per year, comprising five programs each in Hyde Park and the North Side. The group also is regularly featured on WFMT and in the PianoForte Salon Series.

This event is open to the public.  Tickets are $25 for General admission and $10 for Students with valid ID. Free for I-House Residents.

Presented by the International House Global Voices Performing Arts Series and The Chicago Ensemble.