Members of the eclectic and critically acclaimed Black Oak Ensemble will present a concert at Bethel United Church of Christ on Saturday, February 13 at 7:00 p.m. as part of the church’s Music@Bethel Concert Series. Since 1999, the intimate and acoustically pleasing sanctuary of Bethel has hosted some of the world’s most accomplished singers and musicians from Chicago and beyond. The concert program will include works by Fauré, Turina and Dohnányi.
The Grammy-nominated artists—violinist Desirée Ruhstrat, violist Aurélien Pederzoli and cellist David Cunliffe—are in high demand and have performed in venues ranging from the Art Institute of Chicago, WFMT Radio, Preston Bradley Hall, Mayne Stage, Windy City Live to the Ravinia Festival.
Minister of Music Jeffrey Panko’s pianistic brilliance will be featured in two of the selections, the Piano Quartet in A minor, Op. 67 by Joaquín Turina, and the Piano Quartet No. 1 in C minor, Op. 15 by Gabriel Fauré. Panko has been the artistic director of the church’s concert series since its inception and is often a featured soloist or collaborative artist.
John von Rhein, classical music critic for the Chicago Tribune recently said of their musical arrangements, “The flamboyant vitality of the originals lived on in the arrangements as well as the expert performances.”
Luciano Pedota, of the Ravinia Festival’s Reach*Teach*Play Education Program wrote, “This unique ‘string’ ensemble delivers—with great musicianship and sophistication—music that is lyrically and rhythmically passionate, blending and contrasting traditional and classical music from a variety of cultures and times, thus blurring lines between music genres and eras, while delivering a unique and captivating sound that thrills the audience.”
A wine reception will follow the concert. Bethel United Church of Christ is located at 315 East St. Charles Road in Elmhurst. Tickets are available online through www.musicatbethel.com or by calling 630-279-4040. Ticket prices are adults $20, seniors $18 and students $5. A family pass is available at $45 for 2 adults and up to 5 children. The church is accessible and parking is free. Enter through Sandburg Middle School from St. Charles Road, or from Huntington off Poplar Street.