The Athenaeum Center presents the Orion Ensemble and Guests in an exciting performance, “Tribute to Paquito D’Rivera.” This concert features guest jazz pianist Bradley Williams performing his world premiere salute to the Cuban-American jazz clarinetist legend as well as works by D’Rivera, and a rendition of de Abreu’s “Tico Tico” from an historical Paquito performance at Lincoln Center. Additional featured guests include bassist James Wenzel, drummer Juan Pastor, and jazz vocalists Morgan Pirtle and Amy Jill.
Now in their 32nd season, The Orion Ensemble, features a roster of four acclaimed musicians—Kathryne Pirtle (clarinet), Florentina Ramniceanu (violin), Diana Schmück (piano) and Judy Stone (cello). The ensemble has performed throughout North America, Europe and Asia, and won the prestigious Chamber Music America/ASCAP Award for Adventurous Programming for its critically acclaimed millennium celebration “An Inside Look at Contemporary Music.”
The Chicago Tribune called Orion, “one of Chicago’s most vibrant, versatile, and distinctive ensembles,” and the Chicago Sun-Times said Orion is, “what chamber music should be all about: Individual virtuosity melded into a group personality.”
Highlights from the Program
Composed by D’Rivera
“Danzón” (2002)—a whimsical, yearning piece D’Rivera arranged for clarinet, cello and piano—a highly expressive chamber gem.
“Afro” (2003), arranged for clarinet, cello and piano by Brazilian composer and cellist Gustave Tavares—a meditative, plaintive and stirring work of intimate beauty, universal in its immediate sense of longing.
Arranged by D’Rivera
Orion clarinetist Kathryne Pirtle, violinist Florentina Ramniceanu and guest pianist Bradley Williams offer a thrilling rendering of the famous “Tico Tico,” Composed by Zequinha de Abreu (1880–1935) in 1917, this delightful song was inspired by a Portuguese bird, the Rufous-Collared Sparrow, which constantly returns to the singer’s yard to eat cornmeal. D’Rivera’s arrangement for clarinet, violin and piano captures the dynamic humor of this beloved melody.
Works by Bradley Williams
Chicago-based composer and jazz pianist Bradley Williams has composed a world premiere for violin, clarinet, cello, and piano especially for Orion featuring a distinctive infusion of jazz elements into the waltz and tango rhythms.
Also on the program are two additional Williams works: “Herbie Nichols” for solo piano and “Sometimes I’m Happy (Sometimes I’m Blue)” for voice, piano, violin and cello.
