The tradition of starting Illinois Philharmonic Orchestra’s season with American compositions has been expanded.
Oct. 14’s Opening Night: Music From the Americas at Trinity Christian College’s Ozinga Chapel in Palos Heights features pieces by Americans Samuel Barber and Jonathan Cziner, Danzón No. 2 by Mexican composer Arturo Márquez and “Estancia, Four Dances” by Argentine composer Alberto Ginastera.
“We selected different works. Some of them are well-known. Some of them will be a discovery. This adds a bit more of a Latin flavor,” said Stilian Kirov, the concert’s conductor.
“All the works on the program are exciting. I am happy about this program and looking forward to it. It’s going to be fun.”
In September Kirov’s title was renamed Gibb music director in honor of Andrea and Richard Gibb who, with the Gibb Family Trust, made a cumulative $500,000 gift — which officials said is the largest to date — toward Illinois Philharmonic Orchestra’s $5.1 million Campaign for the Future endowment drive.
“They have been supportive in many different ways,” said Kirov, who debuted as Illinois Philharmonic Orchestra’s music director to start 2017-18’s season and agreed in 2022 to a four-year contract extension through 2026-27’s season.
“Since I became music director, we had a chance to spend a good amount of time together. We became close friends. They’re like family to me so I’m happy with the new title.
“They have been long-term supporters of the Illinois Philharmonic Orchestra even before I started. They’re warm people who care about classical music and the orchestra and have been wonderful.”
Music From the Americas features violinist Stella Chen for the world premiere of “Violin Concerto” by Cziner, who world premiered three works when he was Illinois Philharmonic Orchestra’s 2022-23 composer-in-residence.
“(Jonathan’s) talented. We were impressed with him. This is why we continued this relationship with him this season with this new violin concerto,” said Kirov about Cziner, 2021’s winner of Illinois Philharmonic Orchestra’s Classical Evolve competition.
Chen also is soloist for Barber’s “Violin Concerto.”
“(What) I’m embracing about this work is the harmonies, the beautiful melodies and you cannot ignore the last movement, which is exciting and powerful,” said Kirov of Florida.
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“(Stella’s) a world-famous violinist, well recognized, who’s up-and-coming and brilliant. We’re lucky to have her.”
The Act II postconcert celebration featuring dinner and a mix and mingle with musicians is at 7:30 p.m. Oct. 14 at Midlothian Country Club, 5000 W. 147th St.
Subscriptions are available for Illinois Philharmonic Orchestra’s season at Ozinga Chapel, where world premieres by 2023-24 composer-in-residence Oswald Hu?nh are scheduled at Nov. 18’s Piazzolla & Mozart; April 13, 2024’s Bologne, Mozart & Haydn; and May 18, 2024’s Joyful Voices: Shaw & Beethoven, which also features a 200th anniversary performance of Ludwig Van Beethoven’s Symphony No. 9.
Other concerts include Dec. 9’s IPO Holiday Festival: A Celebration of Voice & Music; Feb. 24, 2024’s Sierra, Marsalis & Gershwin featuring a preview of Wynton Marsalis’ “Concerto for Orchestra; and March 16, 2024’s Debussy, V. Williams & Thomas featuring the world premiere of Augusta Read Thomas’ “Gwendoyln Brooks Settings,” a co-commission with Anima — Glen Ellyn Children’s Chorus.
We Pick tickets must be ordered in advance.
Opening Night: Music From the Americas
When: 5:30 p.m. Oct. 14
Where: Trinity Christian College’s Ozinga Chapel, 6601 W. College Drive, Palos Heights
Tickets: $15-$84; $37 We Pick
Information: 708-481-7774; ipomusic.org
Jessi Virtusio is a freelance reporter for the Daily Southtown.