Chicago Philharmonic presents songs of freedom Jan. 15

The award-winning Chicago Philharmonic Chamber Players will return to St. Luke's Lutheran Church in Park Ridge for the second chamber concert in its series of three at 3 p.m. Sunday, Jan. 15.

In the spirit of the Martin Luther King, Jr. weekend, the group will present a concert titled "Freedom and Folk Songs."

Concertgoers will experience a top-tier classical music performance presented in the acoustically-rich environment of St. Luke's beautiful sanctuary.

The Chicago Philharmonic is made up primarily of Lyric Opera Orchestra members and other top-flight professional musicians from the Chicago area. The group will perform "Five Negro Melodies" by English composer Samuel Coleridge-Taylor. Taylor achieved such great success that he was once called the African Mahler. The chamber players will also perform Erno von Dohnanyi's Serenade for String Trio, Opus 10 and Antonin Dvorak's Piano Quartet in E-flat Major, Opus 87. Performers are: John Goodwin, piano; Ann Palen, violin; Karl Davies, viola; Margaret Daly, cello.

The final concert in the series, "Blarney, Beethoven and Brahms," takes place at 3 p.m. Sunday, March 18. The ensemble will perform Frank Martin's Trio on Popular Irish Folk Tunes; Brahms' Piano Quartet in A Major, Opus 26; and Beethoven's String Trio in C minor, Opus 9, No. 3.

Concerts take place at St. Luke's Lutheran Church, 205 N. Prospect Ave., Park Ridge.

Concerts are partially funded by Michael Becker Fine Violins. This program is supported in part by the Illinois Arts Council. Tickets are $15 in advance ($10 seniors 65 and older) or $20 at the door ($15 seniors 65 and older). Students are free.

Tickets can be purchased in advance at Michael Becker Fine Violins located at 28 Third St. in Park Ridge or at Allegro Music Center, 800 W. Devon Ave. in Park Ridge. Tickets may also be purchased online at www.chicagophilharmonic.org or by phone at (847) 866-6888.