Category: Performances

Leonard Bernstein’s idea “Let’s make music as friends” was realized in 1995 when colleague Justus Frantz assembled a multicultural orchestra featuring star talent from 40 nations. Serbs and Slovenians, Syrians and Israelis, Chinese, French, Russians, Italians and others share a common language (music) in their recordings, tours and special appearances at the invitation of notables including the UN Secretary General and the Pope. Special guest Jon Nakamatsu, the most recent American winner of the Van Cliburn Competition, has been hailed by the New York Times for his “stunning” elegance, clarity and power.

Additional Information

Philharmonia of the Nations
http://www.jonnakamatsu.com

Piano, violin and cello… and three engaging musicians whose soulful expression, instrumental virtuosity and playful performance style make for an unforgettable evening. Their repertoire ranges from tango to bossa nova, from a West Side Story melody to a gossamer Mendelssohn scherzo. Writes the New York Times, “Diamond-hard brilliance, uncommonly poetic depths…breathtaking in precision, dexterity and unanimity of attack.” Cellist Kristina Reiko Cooper has played our series previously with the popular Quartetto Gelato.

Additional Information

http://www.intersectiontrio.com/

This concert was narrated by Wisconsin Public Radio’s Lori Skelton.

A Civic Music tradition, back once again by popular demand, the MSO presents an up-close and in-person evening with one of the nation’s premier professional orchestras. Navigating both delicate passages and bold fortissimo movements with equal facility, the acclaimed, in-demand ensemble of 85 world-class musicians continues to reach new heights.

Additional Information

http://www.mso.org/

Program | Season Listing | Biographies

We open with one of Russia’s most heralded chamber ensembles. Music director Misha Rachlevsky emigrated from Moscow as a rising young violinist in the 1970s. With the fall of communism he returned in 1991 to found a chamber orchestra comprising some of Russia’s finest young string players. Whether through widely sold CDs or mesmerizing concerts, the orchestra wins praise for bringing passion, flawless ensemble and majestic artistry to every performance.

Additional Information

www.chamberorchestrakremlin.ru/indexorch.htm

Concert Program and Program Notes

Chamber Orchestra Kremlin’s recordings are available at this concert.

The Duquesne University Tamburitzans have graced the Civic Music stage several times over the years, most recently in 2004. In every show, audiences enjoy an unforgettable experience. Spectacular dance, brilliant costuming and youthful exuberance light up the stage as this high-energy troupe interprets the irresistible folk music of Eastern Europe. They take their name from the tamburitza – the family of traditional stringed instruments that gives this music its distinctive sound.

Additional information

www.duq.edu/tamburitzans/

Program | Season Listing | Biographies

Their March 2009 appearance here was sensational — Press-Gazette reviewer Warren Gerds called the music “sumptuous” and hailed their precision — but a snowstorm kept many concertgoers home. This time, we hope this nationally emerging, Miami-based chamber choir brings better weather north. Seraphic Fire earns raves for  “putting a fresh, hip face on classical music,” for spirited renditions of Latin and gospel favorites, and for impeccable interpretation of Renaissance and Baroque classics.

Additional information

http://seraphicfire.org/

Program | Season Listing | Visit Imani Winds site for Bios

This polished, Grammy-nominated quintet features four woodwinds — flute, oboe, clarinet, bassoon — and that most subtle of brass instruments, a French horn.  Their music spans classics by Ravel and Hindemith to transcriptions of Mozart, Beethoven, and Poulenc to newly commissioned works. The name Imani means “faith” in Swahili, and subtly reflects the African-American and Latin American roots of this New York-based ensemble.

Additional Information

http://www.imaniwinds.com/

Program | Program Notes | Season Listing

Bonus concert for the 2011-12 Season! New members for the  2011-2012 season receive this Milwaukee Symphony Orchestra concert as a bonus—a six-concert package for a five-concert price. Call the Civic Music office for details.

A Civic Music tradition, back once again by popular demand, the MSO closes our season with an up-close, surround-sound evening with one of the nation’s premier professional orchestras. From delicate passages by virtuoso soloists to crashing crescendos and the exhilarating power of 88 world-class musicians playing as one, the orchestra transports listeners to new heights. Newly arrived music director Edo de Waart, internationally renowned, has brought added sparkle to Wisconsin’s musical crown jewel.

Additional Information

http://www.mso.org/