Tribute to Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Review - The Journey, the Dream

Mei-Ann Chen, Music Director of the Chicago Sinfonietta, continues Founder Paul Freeman’s cherished annual tradition of paying tribute to Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. in The Journey, The Dream.  Maestro Chen and guest conductor Jeri Lynne Johnson, Founder and Music Director of Philadelphia’s Black Pearl Chamber Orchestra, lead the Sinfonietta through a selection of works that celebrate King’s pioneering fight for civil rights and his enduring legacy at Symphony Center.

Maestro Chen opens the concert with Zoltán Kodály’s lively Dances of Galánta (Galántai táncok), inspired by the folk music of Kodály’s native Hungary. Selected to reflect the words and actions of Dr. King who inspired others by his committment to the community and the deep rhythm of the people, Kodaly srtove to preserve the musical legancy of his folk culture and make the music accessible to every child. 

The value of individual action is depicted as Ms. Johnson then takes the podium to conduct the overture to Ludwig van Beethoven’s Fidelio.   The opera follows the story of a woman who disguises herself as a guard (Fidelio) to save her husband from certain death in a political prison.

Both Chen and Johnson share the podium for Charles Ives’ Central Park in the Dark, an impressionistic work that paints a vivid sound picture of Central Park at night before combustion engines and radio waves took over the world.  Ives was incredibly innovative in this work, many of his musical techniques becoming hallmarks of the 20th century. This unique work calls for two conductors to be on stage at the same time.  Not only have I never seen two conductors, both female, at once but I can't remember seeing one female conductor.

The MLK tribute program continues with Johnson conducting the World Premiere of Harambee: Road to Victory, composed by jazz flutist Nicole Mitchell and featuring the powerful voices of the Apostolic Church of God Sanctuary Choir.  Harambee: Road to Victory (“harambee” is a Swahili term meaning “pulling together”) is a work for flute, choir and orchestra that musically illustrates the hope and joy of people coming together to resolve differences and to celebrate oneness.  Unfortunately Ms. Mitchell was unable to perform because of a family emergency but her protogee, Kedgrick Puolums (photo above) performed beautifully. 

The concert closes with Chen conducting the Sinfonietta and the Apostolic Choir in a selection of gospel music and spirituals.

Perhaps the most memorable part of the evening was when Maestro Chen turned to the audience and said we would finish holding hands and singing We Shall Overcome, which we did.  Of course being the true perfectionist, she then said, "the singing is fine but you are not swaying together.  Under her guidance, the  Symphony Center filled with a full capacity group of in tune, in rhythm, in proper direction people paying their tribute to Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.

The Chicago Sinfonietta has a proud history of having enriched the cultural, educational, and social quality of life in Chicago, while gaining significant recognition on the national and international stage.  Performing in both downtown Chicago and in west suburban Naperville, the Sinfonietta presents a full season of symphonic concerts.  The Chicago Sinfonietta has also served as the official orchestra of The Joffrey Ballet since 2003.  Under the guidance of Founding Music Director Paul Freeman, the orchestra has performed at the highest artistic level since 1987. Chen was named Music Director of the Chicago Sinfonietta in July 2011, succeeding Freeman upon his retirement.  Freeman remains Music Director Emeritus.  The Chicago Sinfonietta musicians truly represent the city’s rich cultural landscape and continue to fulfill the orchestra’s mission of Musical Excellence through Diversity™.   

For more information on the Chicago Sinfonietta, please visit www.chicagosinfonietta.org.