Since its inception in 2018, the resident ensemble of the University of Chicago’s Center for Contemporary Composition has premiered 60 new musical works. Conductor Kiki Kilburn leads the Grossman Ensemble for the premiere of four more new works created as part of a nine-week collaboration with “trailblazing” (Los Angeles Times) Pulitzer Prize finalist and GRAMMY-nominated composer Andy Ahiko, UChicago's own PhD composer Benjamin Martin, multi-award-winning composer and sonic artist Nina C. Young, Shih-Hui Chen, known for her “deep musical intelligence” (Wire Magazine). Followed by an after-party with the artists.

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Grossman Ensemble - World Premieres I

Logan Center

The Takács Quartet, celebrated for their innovative and varied programming, will be performing alongside bandoneon virtuoso and composer Julien Labro. This collaboration, part of the University of Chicago's Classic Concert Series, promises an evening of exceptional chamber music. The Takács Quartet, now in their forty-ninth season and honored as Gramophone Hall-of-Famers and GRAMMY winners, are renowned for their mastery and profound interpretations. Their partnership with Labro, known for his virtuosity and compositional prowess, brings a unique blend of classical and contemporary sounds.

The program features a diverse selection of works, including Bryce Dessner's "Circles," Labro's "Meditation 1," and Dino Saluzzi's "Minguito." The evening will also include J.S. Bach's "Wachet auf, ruft uns die Stimme, BWV 645," Labro's "Astoración," and Maurice Ravel's "String Quartet in F Major," with its four movements: Allegro moderato très doux, Assez vif très rhythmé, Très lent, and Vif et agité. Additionally, the performance will showcase Clarice Assad's "Clash," further highlighting the ensemble's commitment to contemporary music.

This concert exemplifies the Takács Quartet's dedication to exploring new musical landscapes while honoring classical traditions, making it a noteworthy event in the chamber music world.

Takács Quartet + Julien Labro

Reynolds Club

Experience an evocative exploration of music's response to crisis with the Chicago Symphony Orchestra's Chamber Music Series at the University of Chicago. This program features two profound works that delve into the depths of human emotion and resilience. Mozart’s Quintet for Clarinet and Strings in A Major, K. 581, stands as a testament to the composer's genius, with its wistful Larghetto movement offering a poignant reflection on beauty and melancholy. Complementing this is Olivier Messiaen’s Quartet for the End of Time, a piece composed and premiered under the harrowing conditions of a German prisoner-of-war camp. Scored for clarinet, violin, cello, and piano, Messiaen’s work is imbued with spiritual energy, conjuring vivid images of singing birds, rainbows, and angels. The performance promises a rich tapestry of sounds and emotions, brought to life by the exceptional talents of Robert Chen and Qing Hou on violin, Lawrence Neuman on viola, John Sharp on cello, Stephen Williamson on clarinet, and Umi Garrett on piano. This concert offers a profound musical journey through the lens of historical and personal turmoil, showcasing the enduring power of art in times of crisis.

CSO Chamber Music at the University of Chicago

Experience an extraordinary evening of chamber music as two iconic ensembles, Imani Winds and Boston Brass, unite for a performance at the majestic Rockefeller Memorial Chapel. Renowned for their virtuosity and versatility, these powerhouse wind ensembles are celebrated champions of new music. Their collaborative program promises a rich tapestry of sound, featuring compositions by multi-GRAMMY winning musician and composer Arturo Sandoval, alongside works by Khachaturian, J.S. Bach, de Falla, Piazzolla, and contemporary masters D’Rivera and Simon. This unique concert offers a rare opportunity to witness the fusion of two distinct musical forces, creating a super band that brings to life the intricate and dynamic world of chamber music.

Imani Winds & Boston Brass

Rockefeller Memorial Chapel

Join Sphinx Virtuosi, the trailblazing 18-member string orchestra from the Detroit-based Sphinx Organization, in its Symphony Center debut. The group performs masterpieces by prominent Black and Latino composers — including Jessie Montgomery’s 2024 Grammy Award-winning Rounds — delivering an unforgettable performance lauded for its “joyous and uplifting” energy (Financial Times).

Sphinx Virtuosi

Chicago Symphony Orchestra

A pair of superstars shares the Symphony Center stage. Leonidas Kavakos, “a commanding presence onstage” (The New York Times), teams up with CSO Artist-in-Residence Daniil Trifonov, “one of the most spectacularly virtuosic pianists of the day” (The New York Times), for a program that spans the restless outpourings of Beethoven and Brahms to the 20th-century fireworks of Poulenc and Bartók.

Leonidas Kavakos & Daniil Trifonov

Conservatory Spring String Chamber Concert

Merit School of Music

Artists of the Chamber Music Society of Lincoln Center perform one of the most beloved works of the chamber repertoire, Schubert’s “Trout” Quintet. Written when the composer was only 22, the piece demonstrates his genius for melodic composition, and also features unique instrumentation; unlike other piano quintets, it has only one violin and adds a double bass, giving the ensemble a rich, sonorous texture. Also on the program are works by Mozart and W. F. Bach.

Schubert’s Trout Quintet

Harris Theater

Internationally acclaimed violinist Julia Fischer, who dazzled CSO audiences in 2023 with the “gorgeous singing tone” of her playing (Chicago Classical Voice), teams up with piano sensation Jan Lisiecki, “a player of exceptional poise and refinement” (BBC Music Magazine). Works by Mozart, Beethoven and Schumann showcase their dynamic partnership.

Julia Fischer & Jan Lisiecki

The Leonkoro Quartet, an ensemble that has swiftly risen to prominence since its inception in Berlin in 2019, is set to perform as part of the University of Chicago's 2024/25 Classic Concert Series. Named after the Esperanto word for lionheart, the quartet features the talents of string players Jonathan and Lukas Schwarz, Amelie Wallner, and Mayu Konoe. Their remarkable ascent in the classical music world is underscored by their victory at the prestigious Wigmore Hall International String Quartet Competition and their selection for the BBC Radio 3 New Generation Artists program. 

Renowned for their perfectly unanimous, colorful, and original performances, the Leonkoro Quartet has captivated audiences across Europe's premier venues and festivals. Their blend of youthful exuberance and mature musical insight distinguishes them as a standout ensemble of their generation. The program for their performance includes Joseph Haydn's Quartet in F Major, Op. 50, No. 5 The Dream, Alban Berg's Lyric Suite, and Felix Mendelssohn's Quartet in e minor, Op. 44, No. 2. This carefully curated selection showcases the quartet's versatility and deep understanding of both classical and contemporary repertoires, promising an evening of profound musical exploration and exceptional artistry.

Leonkoro Quartet

Experience an afternoon of chamber music performed by distinguished artists from the legendary CSO Brass section, renowned for their rich sonorities and spectacular power that define the Chicago Sound. The program features a selection of exuberant favorites, including Leonard Bernstein’s effervescent Overture to Candide and Malcolm Arnold’s virtuosic Quintet for Brass, Op. 73. Additionally, the performance will include intricate arrangements of Early Music by J.S. Bach and Georg Philipp Telemann, showcasing the versatility and depth of the brass ensemble. This event is part of the 2024/25 CSO Chamber Music Series, offering a unique opportunity to hear these masterful musicians in an intimate setting.

The Turtle Island Quartet, renowned for its innovative approach to chamber music, will be performing as part of the University of Chicago's 2024/25 Classic Concert Series. Since its inception in 1985, the quartet has been at the forefront of blending classical quartet aesthetics with contemporary genres such as folk, bluegrass, swing, funk, R&B, and hip-hop. This unique fusion has earned them two GRAMMY Awards for Best Classical Crossover Album and a reputation for reviving centuries-old improvisational and compositional traditions.

Their program, Island Prayers, features imaginative new commissions by acclaimed composers Rhiannon Giddens, Terence Blanchard, and Jerod Impichchaachaaha' Tate. The performance will include pieces such as David Balakrishnan's The Second Wave and Little Mouse Jumps, as well as Giddens' Pompey Ran Away, Tate's Little Loksi, and Blanchard's Turtle Trajectory. These works showcase the quartet's ability to seamlessly integrate diverse musical styles, creating a rich tapestry of sound that is both innovative and deeply rooted in tradition.

With over a dozen recordings and collaborations with artists like Terence Blanchard and Paquito D’Rivera, the Turtle Island Quartet continues to push the boundaries of what a string quartet can be, making them a standout ensemble in the world of contemporary chamber music.

Turtle Island Quartet

The Grossman Ensemble returns for its third collaboration under the esteemed direction of conductor Tim Weiss, presenting a series of world premieres that highlight the forefront of contemporary classical music. This performance features compositions by a distinguished group of composers, each bringing a unique voice to the ensemble's repertoire. Christopher Stark, whose music has been praised by The New York Times for its fetching and colorful qualities, joins the lineup alongside Elizabeth Ogonek, a former CSO Mead Composer-in-Residence known for her innovative contributions to the field. Paul Novak, a 2023 Barlow Commission recipient, offers his spellbinding compositions, as described by The Washington Post. Additionally, the program includes works by George Lewis, a formidable figure in modern music recognized by The New Yorker for his significant impact on the genre. This event promises an immersive experience into the evolving landscape of contemporary classical music, followed by an opportunity to engage with the artists at an after-party. Presented by the Chicago Center for Contemporary Composition, the evening showcases the dynamic and diverse talents shaping today's musical world.

Chamber music events in Chicago, IL

Grossman Ensemble - World...

UChicago Presents

Takács Quartet + Julien L...

UChicago Presents

CSO Chamber Music at the ...

UChicago Presents

Imani Winds & Boston Bras...

UChicago Presents

Sphinx Virtuosi

Chicago Symphony Orchestra

Leonidas Kavakos & Daniil...

Chicago Symphony Orchestra

Conservatory Spring Strin...

Merit School of Music

Schubert’s Trout Quintet

Harris Theater

Julia Fischer & Jan Lisie...

Chicago Symphony Orchestra

Leonkoro Quartet

UChicago Presents

CSO Chamber Music at the ...

UChicago Presents

Turtle Island Quartet

UChicago Presents

Grossman Ensemble - World...

UChicago Presents