Classical music and jazz for winter 2023: No doldrums, just drums

I can’t help myself. As I go through the art calendar over and over again, I find it difficult to limit these lists to ten recommendations. , knocking a lot of wood, is a far cry from last winter’s guide, where the Omicron variant wiped out many venues’ gig calendars.

Below is a guide to the season’s must-see shows in the city and suburbs.

Strings sing at Northwestern: bassist Xavier Foley It was not only a MusicNOW highlight, but a Symphony Center highlight when he performed at the “Common Ground” program in November. On January 6th, Foley Kalidor String Quartet annual kick off winter chamber music festivalAs in previous years, the headlines lean toward the string quartet. Isidore (January 13th), new orford (January 15th) and Jupiter (January 22nd) This year’s visiting artists also include a quartet. January 6-22, Pick-Staiger Concert Hall, 50 Arts Circle Drive, Evanston.Tickets at $30 music.northwestern.edu

Symphonic seeker: If you like orchestral works by living composers, Chicagoland’s regional ensembles have a higher batting average than 220 S. Michigan’s heavyweights. this winter, Chicago Philharmonic and the Illinois Philharmonic Orchestra It presents impressive local and world premieres, even by its own adventurous standards. January 14th, Chicago Phil and Guitar Giants Sharon Isbin make the North American premiere of Tan Dunguitar concerto “Yi2”.A cellist also appears in the program. Joshua Roman Commissioned by Tan’s Crouching Tiger Concerto and Resident Composer Reinaldo MoyaThe Illinois Philharmonic’s February 25 concert spotlights new work by the resident composer Jonathan Seaner and cellist Inbal Segev Play the pianist-composer’s Midwest premiere of “Human Archipelago” Vijay Iyer, one of the committee members of her ambitious ’20 for 2020′ recording project. Her IPO will then premiere on March 11th. Augusta Reed ThomasA new setting for the poetry of Gwendolyn Brooks.

• “Tan Dun: Yi2 and Crouching Tiger Concerto,” January 14, 7:30 PM, Harris Theater, 205 E. Randolph St.; tickets are $35-$75. Chicago Philharmonic Orchestra
• “Iyer & Sibelius,” February 25, 7:30 p.m. “Debussy, Ravel, Thomas”, March 11, 3:00 pm. Ozinga Chapel at Trinity Christian College, 6601 W. College Drive, Palos Heights. Tickets range from $10-$74. ipomusic.org/2022-23 season

Opera Star, Recital: Who met live in HD? Catch solo engagements by both tenors in one week Juan Diego Flores and mezzo-soprano Dennis GravesThe former at the Symphony Center and the latter at the Wentz Concert Hall in Naperville.

• Symphony Center Presents: Juan Diego Flores, January 31, 7:30 PM, Symphony Center, 220 S. Michigan Avenue, Tickets $39-150 cso.org
• Denyce Graves at North Central College, February 5, 3:00 pm, Wentz Concert Hall, 171 E. Chicago Ave., Naperville, $55-$65 tickets finearts.northcentralcollege.edu

New Opera ‘R us: Chicago Opera Theater is a prolific commissioner of new jobs and continues that streak in the biographies of Justin F. Cheng and David Simpatico. “The Life and Death of Alan Turing” March. on the other hand, lyric opera We last commissioned a new opera in 2015, “Bel Canto” by Jimmy Lopez Verido and Nilo Cruz, and even its world premiere was the first lyric in decades. Break it twice. “The Factotum” Reimagining ‘The Barber of Seville’ at the Black South Side barber shop. Will Liberman One of the stars of “Fire Shut Up in My Bones,” he’s also sporting a new hat (or perhaps a fresh fade?) from “Factotum.” DJ King RicoThe lyric continues a month later with: “closeness” 3 mini operas John Luther Adams, Daniel Bernard Luhmann When caroline show.

• “The Life and Death of Alan Turing,” March 23 at 7:30 p.m., March 25 at 3:00 p.m. Harris Theater, 205 E. Randolph Street.Tickets from $25-$165 chicagooperator.org
• “The Factotum,” February 3-12, Harris Theater, 205 E. Randolph St.; tickets $35-$125. lyricopera.orgProximity, March 24-April 8, Lyric Opera House, 20 N. Wacker Drive. Tickets range from $40-$330. lyricopera.org

Blues Bard: the chance to catch Mavis Staples Live is what you drop what you do. So save his February 4th date when this homemade icon will headline the Symphony Center.Singer-songwriter opening CeliseBesides performing her own music, she supports artists like Mariah Carey, Lizzo, Kesha, and Melissa Etheridge. February 4, 8:00 p.m., Symphony Center, 220 S. Michigan Ave. Tickets range from $40-$199. cso.org

Finnish genius hits Chicago: Klaus Makella Last season, he made a sensational podium debut with CSO, and has since taken the music director whirlwind. This time, the 26-year-old Orchester de Paris and the Oslo Philharmonic Orchestra will bring the US premiere of Mahler No. 5 and the composer’s Bel Canto. Jimmy Lopez Berredoan alumnus of the Sibelius Academy, whose musician Makella has enthusiastically championed. February 16-18, Symphony Center, 220 S. Michigan Ave. Tickets $45-$350. cso.org

A rare connection between man and musical instrument: Once upon a time it is not a cliché to say that a sarod runs Amjad Ali Khanblood. His family is known for reinventing the instrument we know today, the fretless his lute, the central melodic voice of Hindustani music. his sons, Amaan Ali Bangash When Ayan Ali Bangash, is the latest of the 7 generations of Sarodia. Khan himself revolutionized sarod playing with his unusual left-hand technique and pyrotechnic feats. February 5, 3:00 PM, Logan Center Performance Hall, 915 E. 60th St., tickets $20-$30 chicagopresents.uchicago.edu

A new Sax Guard runs through town: This winter Melissa Aldana When Immanuel Wilkins, a young saxophonist who has released some of the most important jazz albums of 2022. Wilkins’ “The 7th Hand” is a feat of unconscious spiritualism and precocious musicianship.

Less audible sounds: There’s only one holiday a year, but for exciting new music lovers, the annual frequency festival Blow Christmas out of the water. While previous years have been completely eclectic, the 2023 fest is largely amalgamated around a few recurring themes. For one, the guitarist and composer takes pride in — Bill Orcutt, Eli Winter (both February 21, at Constellation) and Julia Lady (February 23, at the University of Chicago Renaissance Society) — But the three’s approach to the instrument couldn’t be more different.then the violinist Silvia Tarozzi and cellist Judith Hamman He performed three pieces from French composer Pascal Clyton’s Sounding Limits together (25th February at Constellation) and a solo set (25th February at Corbett vs. Dempsey).Unique to Chicago a.pe.ri.od.ic When Ensemble From Nothing (February 24th and 26th, respectively, at Constellation) are also headlines. Various venues. Times, ticket prices and other details will be announced soon. frequencyfestival-chicago.com

Anti-jazz of a certain age: ask members snarky puppy The type of music they play and likely offer some variations of their Instagram self-introduction. “We’re a band of musicians who play music on their instruments.” It has attracted a fan base. They tour Chicago in support of their latest album, Empire Central. Show 8pm, doors open 7pm March 31, Riviera Theater, 4746 N. Racine Ave.; tickets $40-$175. jamusa.com

Hannah Edgar is a freelance writer.

The Rubin Institute for Music Criticism funds classical music reporting. The Chicago Tribune maintains editorial control over quotas and content.