January 21st, 2024
Chamber Delights Program
Thomas Nickell, Piano Guest Soloist
Mina Zikri, Conductor
Aubade, Concerto Chorégraphique for Piano and 18 Instruments
Francis Poulenc (1899-1963)
Soloist, Thomas Nickell
Toccata, Lento et Pesante
Récitatif, Larghetto
Rondeau, Allegro
Presto
Récitatif, Larghetto
Andante, Andante con Moto
Allegro Féroce
Conclusion, Adagio
- Intermission and Discussion with Mina Zikri and Thomas Nickell -
Serenade for Winds in D Minor
Antonín Dvořák (1841-1904)
Moderato, Quasi Marcia
Minuetto, Tempo di Minuetto
Andante, con Moto
Finale, Allegro Molto
About the Pieces
Serenade for Winds in D Minor Op. 44, B. 77
The Serenade for Wind Instruments, Cello, and Double Bass in D minor Op. 44, B. 77, written in 1878, shortly after the premiere of Dvořák's opera "The Cunning Peasant." The Serenade had its inaugural performance in November of 1878 at a concert exclusively dedicated to Dvořák's works. This work is meant to capture the ambiance of musical gatherings in Rococo-period castles, where the realms of aristocracy and common folk converged. Composed in a 'Slavonic' style, Serenade for Winds was written just preceding the famous “Slavonic Dances”.
‘Aubade’, Concerto Chorégraphique for Piano and 18 Instruments FR 051a
Francis Poulenc's Aubade for 18 Instruments, premiered in 1929. The title, "Aubade," meaning a morning love song or poem, hints at the evocative nature of the piece, unfolding with a kaleidoscope of colors and textures. An aubade traditionally represents a morning courting song, distinguishing it from an evening serenade. Originally conceived as ballet music, "Aubade" is now regarded as a piano concerto. The predominate theme of the original ballet was the solitude of women, centering the goddess Diana embarking on a solo hunt to distract her from matters of the heart.
Thomas Nickell
Inventive young composer, pianist and Young Steinway Artist Thomas Nickell has already garnered recognition throughout Europe and the United States for his thoughtful explorations of various musical genres. As a pianist, Thomas has given many highly lauded public performances of important works by Liszt, Chopin, Cowell, Glass, Stockhausen, Schnittke, Messiaen, Roslavets, as well as the U.S. premiere of David Matthews’ Piano Concerto Op. 111 at Carnegie Hall.
As a composer, Thomas specializes in contemporary classical and interdisciplinary music allowing his work to be heard in diverse settings from orchestral music to dance and film. Starting in 2021, Thomas joined the Oistrakh Symphony of Chicago as curator of the newly created Avant Garden.
Mina Zikri,
Music Director
As Founder, Music Director, and Conductor of the Oistrakh Symphony of Chicago, Mina Zikri is using his considerable talents to forge relationships with artists and musical organizations throughout the world, all in the name of developing new audiences for classical music. Recently, he traveled with Daniel Baremboim as the backstage and assistant conductor for Wagner’s Tristan and Isolde on a tour that took them to Europe and South America performing at the Salzburg Festival in Austria, at The Lucerne Festival in Switzerland, and at Buenos Aires’ legendary Teatro Colón. He returns each season to his native Egypt to guest-conduct the National Symphony.
At a time when even some of the greatest orchestras in the United States are failing under the immense pressures of financial and cultural uncertainty, Zikri believes that the future of symphony orchestras can be, should be, and must be different form what everyone seems to expect.
A member of the faculty of DePaul University Community Music Division, his many career distinctions include his being named one of the twelve finalists in the 2007 Gustav Mahler International Conducting Competition, where he was chosen from 223 candidates from 40 countries. He has attended the American Academy of Conducting in Aspen, Colorado, on a fellowship, and holds Bachelor’s and Master’s degrees from DePaul University, as well as a Performance Certificate in violin.
Mr. Zikri has been the resident conductor for the Lira ensemble since 2011. In 2018, Mr. Zikri made his conducting debut at Carnegie Hall with the Oistrakh Symphony of Chicago, with a return performance in June 2019. Mr. Zikri was appointed Music Director of the Northbrook Symphony Orchestra and assumed his artistic leadership duties in the 2019/2020 season.
Oistrakh Symphony of Chicago Musicians
Flute
Katarina Ignatovich
Michael Hoover
Oboe
Grace Hong
Anna Velzo
Clarinet
Elizandro Montoya
David Cook
Bassoon
Galina Kiep
Jason Huang
Contrabassoon
Jon Schuler
Horn
John Schreckengost
Momoko Seko
Thomas Vienna
Trumpet
Charles Roberts
Timpani
Sarah Christianson
Viola
Oana Tatu
Megan Yeung
Cello
Dan Klingler
Hope Shepherd
Bass
Stephen Reichelt
Hannah Novak
Thank You
To everyone in attendance tonight, we are incredibly grateful and humbled that you have joined us and shared in the making of this music. It is our sincere hope that you enjoy this program and will join us again. Your presence elevates a symphony to a community, which is a gesture that could not be more beautiful or valuable. Please be well and continue to nourish yourself with art.
Oistrakh Symphony of Chicago is a sponsored project of Fractured Atlas, a non-profit arts service organization. Contributions for the charitable purposes of Oistrakh Symphony of Chicago must be made payable to “Fractured Atlas” only and are tax-deductible to the extent permitted by law.