Fine & Performing Arts

Classical music critic Edward Reichel, writing for Deseret News in Salt Lake City, Utah, raves about a recent performance by the Salzburg Chamber Soloists, an ensemble that will perform Saturday, April 4, in Wentz Concert Hall.

Reichel writes that the 21-member ensemble is made up of “remarkable musicians, who are equally at home in the 18th century as they are in the 20th and beyond. The group’s playing is polished and marked by precision and clarity of tone.”

He goes on to say, “Their intonation is impeccable and their musicality ravishing. They showed the sizable audience in Libby Gardner Concert Hall (at the University of Utah) what chamber ensemble playing is all about. The level at which they play is difficult to emulate, and, quite frankly, they can be placed into a class by themselves. And hopefully, this isn’t a one-time deal. They need to return.”

Reichel’s review will convince you that you won’t want to miss Salzburg Chamber Soloists Saturday at the Wentz. Read his full article here.

Another busy week full of Fine & Performing Arts events is on tap this week at North Central College, coming on the heels of phenomenal performances by Ben Vereen and Rachel Barton Pine.

On Wednesday, April 1, meet sculptor and photographer Tuck Langland from 6:00 to 8:00 p.m., for the opening of his exhibit “People: Variations on a Theme,” which runs through May 2 in Schoenherr Art Gallery in the Fine Arts Center. A professional sculptor for more than 40 years, his public sculptures are found throughout the world.

Friday through Sunday, April 3-5, musical theatre students present “Oh, Coward!”: A revue of songs, biographical anecdotes and sketches that celebrates the life and work of British legend Noel Coward. Under the direction of Matt Boresi ’99, visiting lecturer of theatre, with musical direction by Jeordano Martinez, professor of music, 13 students will present four shows on Friday, April 3, at 7:30 p.m.; Saturday, April 4, at 2 p.m. and 7:30 pm.; and Sunday, April 5, at 2 p.m. in Madden Theater at the Fine Arts Center.

On Friday, April 3, the extraordinary talents of North Central College’s internationally acclaimed jazz faculty will be featured in various configurations—duet, trio, quartet and the entire ensemble—at 8:00 p.m. in Wentz Concert Hall. The artists, each known for their work as jazz performers and recording artists, include vocalist Janice Borla, saxophonist Mitch Paliga, trumpeter Doug Scharf, trombonist T.S. Galloway, guitarist John McLean, pianist Frank Caruso, bassist Larry Kohut and drummer Jack Mouse.

Finally, on Saturday, April 4, the College presents the Salzburg Chamber Soloists, an ensemble that performs orchestral chamber music with the freedom of soloists. Formed from a group of superior musicians, the ensemble has received highest accolades from press, presenters and audiences alike and performed at prestigious festivals around the world.  The 21-person ensemble will perform at 8:00 p.m. in Wentz Concert Hall.

Visit http://finearts.northcentralcollege.edu/show for tickets and more information.

Ben Vereen and Rachel Barton Pine–two of the biggest names on North Central College’s Fine & Performing Arts calendar this season–perform this weekend.

Song and dance man Vereen will pay tribute to Frank Sinatra and Sammy Davis Jr. when he performs Saturday, March 28 in Pfeiffer Hall. Barton Pine will perform Vivaldi’s “The Four Seasons,” with accompaniment by period orchestra Ars Antigua, in Wentz Concert Hall on Sunday, March 29.

Vereen is a Broadway legend who has electrified audiences through his countless performances on stage and in feature film and television appearances. Vereen has starred in the Broadway productions “Wicked,” “Hair,” “Jesus Christ Superstar” and “Pippin” and impressed audiences in films alongside performers like Faye Dunaway, Vanessa Williams and Patti Labelle.

He’s known to many for his memorable roles as Chicken George in “Roots” and as Louis Armstrong in “Louis Armstrong-Chicago Style,” and as host of his own show “Ben Vereen: His Roots.” He’s appeared in television movies, including “An Accidental Friendship,” which garnered him a nomination for the NAACP Image Award; and in numerous television series, such as “Grey’s Anatomy,” “Law and Order: Criminal Intent” and “The View.”

“An Evening with Ben Vereen” will begin at 8 p.m. on Saturday, March 28, in North Central’s Pfeiffer Hall, 310 E. Benton Ave. Tickets are $60/person; call the North Central College Box Office at 630-637-SHOW or visit http://finearts.northcentralcollege.edu/x45218.xml.

Barton Pine has received worldwide acclaim for her virtuosic technical mastery, beautiful tone and perceptive performances. She has worked with many famous conductors, appearing as a soloist with some of the world’s most prestigious orchestras, and has been featured at festivals and on many television programs. Her passion for research influences her performances, bringing emotionally charged, historically informed interpretations to her diverse repertoire.

A Chicago native, she began violin studies at age three and made her professional debut at age seven with the Chicago String Ensemble. Her earliest appearances with the Chicago Symphony Orchestra, at ages 10 and 15, were broadcast on television. Her latest CD, “Beethoven and Clement Violin Concertos,” has been well received by classical music lovers and was recently ranked No. 5 on the Billboard Classical charts.

Her Sunday, March 29, concert will feature her artistry with accompaniment by Ars Antiqua, a period orchestra that plays the Baroque instruments originally used to play Vivaldi’s “The Four Seasons.” Barton Pine will comment throughout the concert on each concerto in the piece.

The concert begins at 2 p.m. in Wentz Concert Hall at the Fine Arts Center, 171 E. Chicago Ave. Tickets are $45/person; call the North Central College Box Office at 630-637-SHOW or visit http://finearts.northcentralcollege.edu/x45150.xml.