Chicago Philharmonic 2018-2019

12 FALL 2018 | THE CHICAGO PHILHARMONIC SOCIETY 2018 2019 SEASON: ANDRZEJ BIAŁKO Chicago Philharmonic programs are partially sponsored by a grant from the Illinois Arts Council Agency. Paweł Łukaszewski (b. 1968) Icon (2010) Paweł Łukaszewski is a living, active Polish com- poser and teacher known for his resolutely tradi- tional sacred choral compositions. Łukaszewski’s music has its roots in neo-medieval tonality and follows in the footsteps of other deeply spiritual Polish composers such as Henryk Górecki and Wojciech Kilar. In Łukaszewski’s Icon , the composer begins with a series of open, prayerful chords, gradually adding more movement, complex chords, and dissonance. e piece shows o the full dynamic range of the organ, including the heaviest, bone-shaking low notes of the instrument. Petr Eben (1929 -2007) “God’s Reward” from Job (1987) Petr Eben was one of the most prominent Czech composers of the 20 th century. Although his family practiced Catholicism, Eben’s father was Jewish, and Petr Eben was sent to a concentration camp in Buchenwald in 1943 at the young age of 16. e years spent in Buchenwald were a formative experience for Eben, shaping his worldviews, strengthening his faith, and later giving him the perseverance to live under Soviet oppression for 40 years. Job was the second organ cycle that Eben wrote, inspired by the biblical character and book of the same name. In this piece, Eben questions the nature of su ering and acceptance, ultimately ending with a nal movement titled “God’s Reward”. e movement is a series of chorale variations on a 15 th century hymn, Kristus, príklad pokory (Christ, the model of humility) , ending with a triumphant nale parallel with Job’s life in which “the Lord turned the captivity of Job and blessed the latter end of Job more than his beginning”. Chicago Philharmonic in part supported by Healey Willan (1880 -1968) Five Preludes on Plainchant Melodies (1950) Healey Willan was a Canadian composer and organist whose formidable output included an extraordinary number of liturgical works for choir and organ, as well as countless secular works including symphonies, operas, chamber music, and more. Born and raised in London, he moved with his family to Toronto in 1913 to work at the University of Toronto. In 1921, Willan started a new position at St. Mary Magdalene, an Anglo- Catholic parish that would become the center of his religious and personal life for the next 47 years. During his time at St. Mary Magdalene, he developed an interest in plainchant (also called Gregorian chant), a form of medieval church music that involves unaccompanied chanting or songs. Each of the short preludes of Five Preludes of Plainchant Melodies is based on the chants that so fascinated Willan. Although the composer was rather out of touch from the cutting edge music of the 20 th century — saying “I hear only strange sounds which surprise and disturb me” — his Five Preludes show Willan’s full mastery of counterpoint and an exceptional understanding of the organ. Feliks Nowowiejski (1877 -1946) Polish Phantasy "Christmas Eve on Wawel Hill" Op. 9, No. 1 (1911) Feliks Nowowiejski was a Polish composer, conductor, and virtuoso organist who contributed greatly to the musical landscape of Poland in the 20 th century. Much of his work was sacred music for organ or choir, and his skills as an organist, improvisor, and composer are apparent in his short Polish Phantasy based on the Polish Christmas carol “Christmas Eve on Wawel Hill”. Wawel Hill is the site of the Wawel Royal Castle – for many centuries the seat of Poland’s kings in Kraków. Christmas Eve is the most sacred day in Poland’s yuletide calendar. Nowowiejski was living in Kraków when he composed the piece and was undoubtedly inspired by the wave of national Polish pride a er the country’s regained independence. Polish Phantasy employs the traditional use of organ improvisation to build to a grand, joyful rendition of a simple Christmas carol. Join other like minded classical music lovers and get closer to Chicago Philharmonic with a community membership and receive a host of bene ts. Go to chicagophilharmonic.org/community-membership for details. Concerto - $70 Student Connect - Free Includes chamber concert tickets, behind the scenes events, intermission beverages, merchandise and more Available to any music student under 21 Special events, discounts and more