Thursday, September 22, 2011

Ann Hobson Pilot & Chicago Sinfonietta in 'Ennanga' of William Grant Still Sept. 24, North Central College

[Ann Hobson Pilot; Boston Records BR1002CD (1991)]

Ann Hobson Pilot's first solo harp CD is Boston Records BR1002CD; it may be ordered at her website, http://www.AnnHobsonPilot.com. She will make a guest appearance with the Chicago Sinfonietta at North Central College in Naperville, Illinois at 8 p.m. Saturday, September 24, 2011:

By Annie Alleman For Sun-Times Media
September 22, 2011 10:04AM
“A world-renown musician is performing a string of post-retirement dates, including one at North Central College. When the Chicago Sinfonietta opens its 2011-2012 season at North Central College with 'As Fate Would Have It,' a concert blending eastern and western musical traditions, it will be joined by acclaimed guest harpist Ann Hobson Pilot.

“The performance begins at 8 p.m. Sept. 24 in the Wentz Concert Hall and marks the first subscription concert by new music director Mei-Ann Chen. The professional orchestra is in residence at Wentz Concert Hall this year, which will be the regular west suburban venue. 'Mei-Ann Chen is an absolute burgeoning superstar in the classical music world. She is an absolutely riveting and exciting performer on the podium,' said the orchestra’s executive director, Jim Hirsch.”

“The piece, written by famed composer John Williams, is called 'On Willows and Birches,' and was written expressly for Pilot in 2009. She will also perform on William Grant Still’s 'Ennanga' — the only work he composed for harp.

“We selected that because of the orchestra’s commitment to diversity and inclusion,” he said. “It was fate that brought her to becoming a harpist in a field where basically African Americans had no opportunities whatsoever.” [William Grant Still (1895-1978) is profiled at AfriClassical.com, which features a comprehensive Works List by Prof. Dominique-René de Lerma, http://www.CasaMusicaledeLerma.com]

No comments: