Chicago Sinfonietta's 34th Season kicks off with Ravinia Festival concert

Chicago, IL - Chicago Sinfonietta (CS) offers a preview of its coming season with a special preview performance at Ravinia this September. The influence of different cultures shines in this fusion of works spanning three centuries in a thrilling choreography of symphonic dance featuring two Chicago Sinfonietta signature works.

"We are thrilled to open our 34th season with a return to Ravinia, one of the country's revered music festivals," said Chicago Sinfonietta Chief Executive Officer Blake-Anthony Johnson. "As we re-engage our CS family and invite them back to live performances, we also welcome new audiences to Chicago Sinfonietta, this program offers the community a taste of our 2021-22 season."

Ravinia: Sounds of Dance: Season Preview

Chicago Sinfonietta

Mei-Ann Chen, Music Director

September 8, 2021 at 8:00 PM

Samuel COLERIDGE-TAYLOR Danse Négre from African Suite, Op. 35, No. 4

Johann, STRAUSS II An der schönen blauen Donau (On the Beautiful Blue Danube)

Frederic CHOPIN (arr. STRAVINSKY) Grande valse brillante in E-flat major, Op. 18

Florence PRICE (arr. William Grant Still) Dances in the Canebrakes

Bedrich SMETANA Ma Vlast, Vitava (The Maldau)

Antonín DVORÁK Slavonic Dances Op. 46, No. 8

Arturo MÁRQUEZ Conga del Fuego Nuevo

English composer Samuel Coleridge -Taylor’s stirring Danse Négre from African Suite, Op. 35 highlights the African influence in Great Britain during the 19^th century, juxtaposed against the German influence heard in Johann Strauss II’s On the Beautiful Blue Danube, one of two Chicago Sinfonietta signature works on this concert. Polish composer Frederic Chopin’s first published waltz, the Grande valse brillante in E-flat major, Op. 18, arranged by Stravinsky for Sergei Diaghilev’s 1909 ballet Les Sylphides, introduces the world of ballet, while another Sinfonietta signature work, Florence Price’s buoyant, lyrical Dances in the Canebrakes from 1953, reintroduces African influences from a 20^th century American composer’s point of view. Traditional folk tunes inspire the next two works: Smetana’s tune in Vitava (The Maldau) is derived from an old Czech folk song, Kocka leze dírou ("The Cat Crawls Through the Hole") while music in the style of a fiery Bohemian dance is spotlighted in Dvorak’s popular, fiery Slavonic Dances Op. 46, No. 8. Closing out the concert is a dance-inspired work accompanied by an audience engagement activity, Arturo Márquez’s Conga del Fuego Nuevo (New Fire).

Additional details and ticket information can be found at ravinia.org.

Details on Chicago Sinfonietta's 2021-22 season will be announced in the near future.

ABOUT CHICAGO SINFONIETTA

Groundbreaking. Dynamic. Innovative. An acclaimed cultural leader and a powerful champion of diversity, equity and inclusion, the award-winning Chicago Sinfonietta was founded in 1987 by the late Maestro Paul Freeman to address diversity in orchestras. Dedicated to changing the face of classical music, and making classical music accessible to everyone, what began as a mission to represent the city of Chicago has evolved into an international position at the forefront of progressive change in the arts. Led by international conductor and Music Director Maestra Mei-Ann Chen since 2011, today Chicago Sinfonietta is a 21st century orchestra renowned for its defiantly different outlook, innovative and collaborative programming, and artistry of the highest caliber. The ensemble’s success has been recognized with numerous industry honors, including a 2020 League of American Orchestras Catalyst Award for Institutional Development and Anti-racism Training, a MacArthur Award for Creative and Effective Institutions – the “genius award” for non-profit organizations, an ASCAP Award for Adventurous Programming, and a First Place Award for Programming of Contemporary Music.

Celebrated for its daring, cutting-edge programs ranging from its popular subscription concert series with guests of national and local renown to its local engagement, the organization’s commitment to parity and diversity for all is ubiquitous in its myriad education and community programs. Amongst them: Artist in Residence, - now in its second season, presents a composer of color who works in various community programs and creates for Chicago Sinfonietta a commissioned world premiere; Audience Matters, targeting 4^th – 6^th grade students in partnership with more than 23 CPS schools and nine Aurora schools; Student Ensembles with Excellence and Diversity (SEED) a mentoring program for talented high school musicians; and Chicago Sinfonietta’s Residents Orchestrate Project, re-imagining the role that an orchestra can play in historically underserved Chicago neighborhoods. Its nationally recognized Project Inclusion Fellowships, with training and mentoring of young musicians in the areas of administration, orchestral and ensemble performance, conducting and now composition, is the largest and most successful of its kind. Through the above performances and initiatives, as well as various events, Chicago Sinfonietta continues to expand its mission and strengthen its leadership in the world of classical music, redefining the orchestra experience for today’s and future generations. www.chicagosinfonietta.org

Press Contact:   Laura Grant, Grant Communications

917.359.7319; Laura@grant-communications.com