Music of the Baroque Rounds Out February with 'Mcgill Plays Mozart' Feb. 27-28
Music of the Baroque (MOB) completes February 2022 programming with "McGill Plays Mozart" at the North Shore Center for the Performing Arts in Skokie 7:30 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 27 and at the Harris Theater in Millennium Park 7:30 p.m., Sunday, Feb. 28.
For this concert, Mozart scholar and MOB Music Director Jane Glover joins forces with Chicago native and New York Philharmonic principal clarinet and first African-American principal player Anthony McGill. The program will include:
• Mozart's Concerto for Clarinet in A Major. Written shortly before Mozart's death, it is considered one of his greatest concertos. As stated by McGill in an interview in the Times Argus:"It's the standard (by) which we judge everything on our instrument. It's hard to put into words how important it is as a clarinetist, because we play it our entire lives. It never gets old, and it always gets more and more beautiful. I absolutely love it."
• Mozart's haunting Symphony No. 40 in G Minor, one of Mozart's most frequently performed works.
• Overture to "Lucio Silla," which Mozart wrote when he was only 15.
Hailed for his "trademark brilliance, penetrating sound and rich character" (The New York Times), as well as for his "exquisite combination of technical refinement and expressive radiance" (The Baltimore Sun), McGill also serves as an ardent advocate for helping music education reach underserved communities and for addressing issues of diversity, equity, and inclusion in classical music
"McGill Plays Mozart" also marks the first time Music of the Baroque is participating in Project Inclusion. Inspired by Chicago Sinfonietta founder Paul Freeman, Project Inclusion is a unique development opportunity aimed at increasing diversity and inclusion, ultimately guiding young professionals toward successful careers in music. In 2013, The Grant Park Music Festival forged a partnership with Sinfonietta to launch its own Project Inclusion program.
The Music of the Baroque Orchestra will feature four Project Inclusion Fellows: Grant Park Symphony Orchestra Fellows Audrey Lee (violin) and Edwardo Rojas (viola); and Chicago Sinfonietta Fellows Lindsey Sharpe (cello) and Alexandria Hill (violin). All four musicians will have the opportunity to work closely with Dame Jane Glover and the ensemble in this important learning and professional performance experience:
Music of the Baroque presents "McGill Plays Mozart," conducted by Dame Jane Glover, with guest clarinetist Anthony McGill
7:30 p.m. Sunday, Feb. 27, The North Shore Center for the Performing Arts in Skokie, 9501 Skokie Blvd., Skokie, Ill.
7:30 p.m. Monday, Feb. 28, The Harris Theater in Millennium Park, 205 E. Randolph Dr., Chicago.
Tickets: $25-$95. For tickets or more info, including COVID-19 protocol updates, visit baroque.org/mcgill. Both the North Shore Center and the Harris require wearing of masks and proof of vaccination. For more information, visit northshorecenter.org and harristheaterchicago.org respectively.
Students are able to attend any of Music of the Baroque's performances at the Harris Theater during the 2021-2022 season free of charge. Students can reserve up to two complimentary tickets per valid student ID by visiting baroque.org or calling 312.551.1414. Student tickets will also be available at the Harris Theater box office starting two hours prior to the performance.
"McGill Plays Mozart" will also be offered On Demand beginning March 4 through April 4. Viewing passes are $25 and are available at baroque.org/mcgill.