“Playful and angry in the “Dies Irae” invocations, delicate, assured, and sublime in the tranquil middle variations, Buechner held her own with the mightily accompanying orchestra.”
To read more about Chicago Sinfonietta’s celebration of the LGBTQ community in the arts, check out Stage and Cinema’s review of our concert here!
“As our young artists played with established Sinfonietta members, we could hear the future in every bar.”
“This concert confirmed a myriad of commitments, musical and more.”
Read more about our 2017 Martin Luther King Tribute Concert in Stage and Cinema’s full review!
“How wrong those fleeting thoughts were that the timing of Chicago Sinfonietta’s ‘Dia de los Muertos’ (Day of the Dead) performance on the actual Halloween night might have been bad timing. Though the CTA bus wound past many a colorful band of trick or treaters en route, the big show and best Halloween event in the city perhaps WAS the Chicago Sinfonietta at Symphony Center. Knowing how the Sinfonietta infuses everything they do with fun, we should have known better and anticipated the festive air.”
Read more about the Sinfonietta’s Day of the Dead concert in Picture this Post’s full review!
“Science and art naturally complement each other.”
“People will be able to see visuals that maybe they have never seen before,” he said. “People might have heard of the Northern Lights or seen a still photograph, but not necessarily seen a film based on how beautiful the Northern Lights not only look in the sky but how they interact with the landscape and how they illuminate the landscape, how they get reflected off lakes.
“What we want is for these film to inspire people to learn more about what we present. But as I was saying recently, everything is better with music (including) … learning about science and the world and the universe.”
Read more about the Chicago Sinfonietta’s collaboration with video artist and astronomer Jose Francisco Salgado and their program “Cosmic Convergence” in the Chicago Tribune’s article!
“‘BYOB: Bring Your Own Beat will be anything but typical for a night at the symphony (and yes, jeans are allowed)’, states Chicago Sinfonietta in its announcement of this event. Certainly, this concert program will impress the audience with its loud percussion noises and especially with a raucous finale, where the audience members will be invited to play with the orchestra using their own DIY instruments. It would be a great idea to arrive early to create your own percussion instruments; however, there will be a chance to make them during the intermission.”
Hear more about Chicago Sinfonietta’s March 2016 concert “Bring Your Own Beat” in Patch’s article!
“The John D. and Catherine T. MacArthur Foundation has chosen Chicago’s cultural landscape and arts scene to exclusively receive its artist grants in 2016.”
“The decision to award these grants solely to Chicago arts and culture community reflects the foundation’s commitment to its hometown and its hope to strengthen the city’s vibrant cultural life, a spokesperson said.”
Learn more about this year’s MacArthur grants and their recipients, including the Chicago Sinfonietta, in ABC7’s article!
“The Chicago Sinfonietta hosted a stellar Martin Luther King Jr. tribute concert at the Chicago Symphony Orchestra On Monday, Jan. 18 Music director Mei-Ann Chen was brilliant as she conducted the Sinfonietta with her signature charismatic style.”
Read more about our 2016 Martin Luther King Tribute Concert in Rollingout’s full review!
“Mei-Ann Chen never misses an opportunity to try something new. During one Chicago Sinfonietta performance, for example, a Chicago-based punk marching band, Mucca Pazza, emerged from below stage wearing mismatched uniforms for Tchaikovsky’s 1812 Overture. As a toy cannon shot confetti, younger listeners tried to grab handfuls. According to Chen, imaginative touches like these draw otherwise reluctant people to try classical music.
“Since 2011 Chen has led the Sinfonietta, an ensemble that prides itself on inclusiveness and innovation in classical music. Under Chen’s guidance, last year the orchestra’s “Project Inclusion Conducting Fellowship” saw its first graduates secure assistant-conducting posts at the Minnesota Orchestra and San Diego Symphony.”
Read more about Chen’s innovations during her tenure as the music director of the Chicago Sinfonietta and the Memphis Symphony in MusicalAmerica’s article!
“Daring. Defiant. Different. That’s how the Chicago Sinfonietta markets itself.
It’s no empty assertion.
“For 27 seasons the mid-sized orchestra has made it its niche mission to promote ethnic diversity among its players, staff, board and audience. It prides itself on the sometimes outrageous eclecticism of its programs. It has been a role model for groups seeking to remove the intimidation factor from classical concerts and get down with the entire community.”
Read more about the Chicago Sinfonietta’s commitment to diversity in the Chicago Tribune’s full feature article!
“The singular community spirit of Chicago Sinfonietta was on proud display March 23 at Orchestra Hall in a stylish, disciplined and roundly entertaining performance of Orff’s “Carmina Burana” conducted by the organization’s music director, Mei-Ann Chen.
“Featured with Chen’s chamber-size ensemble were two Chicago choruses, both prepared to a fare-thee-well: the choir of Roosevelt University’s Chicago College of Performing Arts and the Anima Young Singers of Greater Chicago.”
Hear more about the Sinfonietta’s performance of Carmina Burana in Chicago on the Aisle’s full review of the concert!
