June 15, 2025

Bruch, Beethoven & Mozart

Holtschneider Performance Center, Gannon Concert Hall

June 15, 2025 Program Notes

June 15, 2025 Program by Executive Director

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 501(c)3, a non-profit arts service organization. Contributions can be made to Oistrakh Symphony of Chicago and are tax-deductible to the extent permitted by law.