From Gershwin’s Rhapsody in Blue to Aaron Copland’s Appalachian Spring, a special concert at St. James Church will feature these American classics and more. Entitled Rhapsody: 20th Century Classics, the performance takes place at 7 p.m. Monday, Feb. 9 in the church. The musical evening is among this season’s six concerts, presented by St. James and its Sacred Concert Series. and admission is free.
Music Director Tamaron Conseur (photos courtesy of St. James)
St. James Church presents this evening of chamber music, complete with an ensemble that consists of piano, strings and woodwinds, as well as top-notch soloists, and all directed by Music Director Tamaron Conseur.
Musical selections are all from the Americas and were written in the 20th Century, Conseur says. The program also features: Adagio for Strings by Samuel Barber and Libertango by Astor Piazzola.
“The thing I love about this program is the wealth of lyrical and expressive melodies that these composers employ while incorporating modern styles and ideas — from jazz to folk tunes,” Conseur says. “You will hear so many familiar melodies that have captured the hearts of audiences for the last 60 to 100 years.”
Featured soloist Leah Kang
Conseur has been at St. James for 10 years and during that time he has ramped up its choral program, often bringing in instrumental ensembles to enhance the liturgical music.
He studied music at Northwestern and taught voice lessons in District 214 and at New Trier High School, but he also has worked professionally with the Lyric Opera of Chicago, the Chicago Symphony Orchestra, Chicago Opera Theater, the Chicago Bach Project and the San Diego Opera, among others.
Conseur and Leah Kang, a pianist at St. James, chose the selections for the program. Kang will be a featured soloist at the concert.
“Leah is the definition of a piano virtuoso,” Conseur says, “providing exquisite music at our Masses on the weekends and for special events.”
Featured soloist Jay Shankar
Kang will be joined by Jay Shankar, who has been a featured soloist on his clarinet with the he Chicago Symphony Orchestra, the Cleveland Orchestra, Baltimore Symphony Orchestra, San Diego Symphony and the Saint Paul Chamber Orchestra.
“His playing is super impressive and I can’t wait to hear what he does with the music of Gershwin,” Conseur says.
Conseur works with a committee to present these concerts, led by program director Arianna Conseur. St. James staff members also serve on the committee, including Julie Jacobsen, Aurelio Garcia and Natalie Conseur.
This the third season for St. James and its Sacred Concert Series. Their next concert is their most ambitious: performing Verdi’s Requiem at 7 p.m. March 12 in the church.
“It’s not really done outside of symphony halls because of the sheer scale of the orchestra and chorus,” Conseur says. “This version we’re going to be doing is a chamber ensemble version that will allow us to fit this orchestra in our space, with around 70 singers, which is almost double our typical chorus size.”
Bottom line, both Conseur and Gallant feel there is broad interest in hearing the classics and they are expecting a big crowd to attend.
“I think people are hungry for experiences that are deeper than what they can get from Netflix, Instagram or Tik Tok,” Conseur says. “You know how they say classics endure for a reason. That’s because they contain something innately human that connects us all and I believe that’s from our creator.
“Call it what you like, but you can’t deny the connection you feel,” he adds, “when you’re with other people all gathered to have a common experience in something timeless.”
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