“His transformation of the tune — which quoted the first three notes but not much more — was very nearly Brahmsian in its ardors. And in the sprinting coda, Roberts’ trio and the orchestra rode a wave of energy they’d jointly created.” “Roberts’ version went a long way toward conjuring this element of surprise, although

“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

“The Libretto for Carmina Burana in Latin and English was contained in the program and illuminated the music. All of the performances were outstanding and included the Roosevelt University CCPA Conservatory Choir, Anima Young Singer of Greater Chicago, Kimberly Jones, Soprano, Jonathan Weyant, Tenor (expressing the agony of a dying swan) and Joseph Lattanzi, Baritone. The music was so powerful

“When Chicago Sinfonietta coined it’s new logo – ‘Daring, Defiant, Different’—they mistakenly left out ‘Delightful’. That was abundantly clear by the end of their joint concert with seeming kindred spirit Mucca Pazza, the punk marching band that has bottled joy in its shtick-on-steroids marching band persona. “…With cheerleaders carrying pom-poms made from crime scene caution tape, band members wearing

“This time, as many times before, the Chicago Sinfonietta demonstrated its high professionalism and devotion to the musical art and as always impressed the audience by its excellent performance.”   Read more about our season-ending concert “Identities” in Patch’s review!

“This program is the perfect reflection of the mission of this unique orchestra, which prides itself on being the most diverse in the country and has a mission “to form unique cultural connections through the universal language of symphonic music”. Tying East and West together through the Silk Road, the program began with “Shtetl Scenes”