UChicago Presents embarks on a captivating musical journey through a series of eclectic events, each offering a unique narrative and style that highlights the rich diversity of musical expression. From Sullivan Fortner's innovative jazz renditions to the mesmerizing vocal harmonies of Kurbasy, and the eloquent chamber performances by the Belcea and Castalian Quartets, these events invite audiences to explore a spectrum of soundscapes. Join us as we delve into the profound narratives and artistic contributions that elevate each performance to a celebration of cultural dialogue and creativity.

UChicago Presents: A Vibrant Tapestry of Music and Expressions

Kurbasy

UChicago Presents

The Grossman Ensemble—performing the best music you haven’t heard yet—closes the 2025-26 concert season with an energetic evening of brand-new music. Luke Poeppel conducts the world premieres of four imaginative and engaging compositions by Katherine Balch, Shawn Okpebholo, Gity Razaz, and Matthew Ricketts.

Grossman Ensemble – Illuminations

Reva and David Logan Center for the Arts

Born from Lviv’s progressive Les Kurbas Theatre, Kurbasy channels ancient Ukrainian folklore through tight vocal harmonies, spectral instrumentation, and striking visual storytelling. Their performances are living rituals, weaving lullabies, calendar songs, and myths into a soundscape where past and present collide. 

Their latest work, Songs of the Ukrainian Forest, emerged in the shadow of invasion—a 14-song cycle tracing Ukraine’s landscapes and histories, sung in dialects that echo its shifting borders. This is music as a declaration: of freedom, of identity, of a culture that refuses to be silenced.

Kurbasy

Articles & News