In Thursday’s (4/23) Chicago Tribune, John von Rhein writes, “Paul Freeman, music director of the Chicago Sinfonietta, will share the podium next season with three guest conductors auditioning for his post. Freeman, who founded the orchestra in 1987, recently announced his intention to step down for health reasons. The ensemble’s 23rd season will consist of five programs, all but one of which will be given at both of its regular venues, Lund Auditorium at Dominican University in River Forest and Orchestra Hall at Symphony Center. The 2009-10 season will run Oct. 4 through May 17, 2010. … Directing the opening concerts of the season, Oct. 4-5, with Freeman will be Mei-Ann Chen, assistant conductor of the Atlanta Symphony Orchestra. The program includes works composed by Asian composers or using Asian instruments: David Gordon’s ‘Hollow Psalm’ for Javanese gamelan and orchestra and ‘The Butterfly Lovers’ Concerto. Michael Morgan, music director of the Oakland East Bay Symphony and former assistant conductor of the Chicago Symphony Orchestra, will lead works by Mendelssohn, Ibert, Michael Daugherty and David Baker on Nov. 2. The soloists are Lewis Kirk, bassoon, and Katherine Stubbins, trombone.” Chen is currently serving as a League of American Orchestras American Conducting Fellow.
Posted April 23, 2009
Photo credit: J.D. Scott
