Tribute to Paquito D'Rivera

"Danzón" and "Afro" for Clarinet, Cello and Piano
Paquito D'Rivera and Gustave Tavares

"Danzón" (2002) is a whimsical, yearning piece D'Rivera arranged for clarinet, cello and piano, a highly expressive chamber gem. "Afro" (2003), arranged for clarinet, cello and piano by Brazilian composer and cellist Gustave Tavares, is a meditative, plaintive and stirring work of intimate beauty, universal in its immediate sense of longing.

"Tico Tico" for Clarinet, Violin and Piano
Zequinha de Abreu (1880-1935), arr. by Paquito D'Rivera

Orion clarinetist Kathryne Pirtle, violinist Florentina Râmniceanu and guest pianist Bradley Williams offer a virtuosic rendering of the famous "Tico Tico." Composed by Zequinha de Abreu in 1917, this delightful song was inspired by a Portuguese bird, the Rufous-collared Sparrow, which constantly returns to the singer's yard to eat cornmeal. D'Rivera's arrangement for clarinet, violin and piano captures the dynamic humor of this beloved melody.

Pirtle said, "I found this incredible performance of 'Tico Tico' on YouTube, which was an excerpt of a concert paying tribute to Charlie Parker with Strings. Featured guest violinist Andrei Matorin shared the stage with Paquito at the Rose Theatre of Jazz at Lincoln Center in New York City in March 2018. I fell in love with Paquito's amazing solo on this and decided to transcribe and perform it with Florentina and Brad in our concert."

Works by Guest Artist Bradley Williams
Bradley Williams

Chicago-based composer and jazz pianist Bradley Williams has composed a world premiere for violin, clarinet, cello and piano especially for Orion featuring a distinctive infusion of jazz elements into the waltz and tango rhythms.

Williams shared, "To the brand-new 'Par la Mer' I've appended the waltz 'Dionne,' my tribute to the singer Dionne Warwick, which has a little more history. It's an elusive miniature that haunts me and seems to have a will of its own. It's now become part of my repertoire at the Le Piano jazz club. I'm excited to hear it in the rarefied context of Orion."

Also on the program are two additional Williams works: "Herbie Nichols" for solo piano and "Sometimes I'm Happy (Sometimes I'm Blue)" for voice, piano, violin and cello. Joining Williams and the Orion musicians are vocalists Morgan Pirtle (May 19-Aurora and May 26-Evanston) and Amy Jill (May 22-Chicago).

Piano Trio No. 4, "Dumky" (1891)
Antonín Dvořák (1841-1904)

Orion returns to the world of pure classical mastery with this acclaimed Piano Trio for violin, cello and piano, welcoming Orion pianist Diana Schmück to the stage. The term dumky (or dumka) is a folk ballad, often yearning or melancholic in nature. In Ukrainian literature, dumka means "a thought," and this translates in musical terms to a work that is emotionally varied, often featuring many moods. The six movements in Dvořák's chamber music masterpiece offer many emotional expressions for the thoughtful and attentive listener.

Also on the program: student ensembles

Orion welcomes student musicians from its Janet's Stage program, including two ensembles from Glenbard East High School, a string quartet performing an excerpt from Borodin's String Quartet No. 2 in D Major and a string quintet performing the finale of Dvořák's Sonatina, Op. 100, for the Aurora concert May 19; and the Earl Clements Quintet of the Elgin Youth Symphony performing an excerpt of Klughardt's Wind Quintet, Op. 79, for the Evanston concert May 26.