Black Oak Ensemble and Emerging Artists Take the Stage This May

For lovers of classical music, May offers two special opportunities to connect with Cedille’s vibrant, Chicago-based musical community. On Sunday, May 4^th, at Ravinia’s Bennett Gordon Hall, the acclaimed Black Oak Ensemble will take the stage to celebrate the May 9 release of their latest Cedille Records album, Dance of the Night Sky. The new album showcases music by living women composers from the United Kingdom, blending lyrical beauty with rhythmic vitality. Audiences will also get to enjoy selections from the ensemble’s previous Cedille albums, Avant l’orage, a collection of rarely heard French string trios, and Silenced Voices, a deeply moving showcase of works by composers whose careers and lives were cut short or otherwise severely impacted by the Holocaust. This concert is a chance to experience the artistry of one of Chicago’s beloved chamber ensembles in an intimate and inspiring setting.

Later in the month, we hope you’ll join Cedille Records for the final round of its Emerging Artist Competition, a showcase of the city’s most promising young classical talent. Taking place on Sunday, May 18^th at 1pm, the event is open to the public (with RSVP) and promises an afternoon of exceptional performances as finalists compete for the opportunity to record their debut album with Cedille. The inaugural competition, held in 2021, helped further the careers of outstanding musicians, including saxophonist Julian Velasco and violinist Karisa Chiu, offering them not only professional recording experience, but also the visibility and credibility that come with being part of the Cedille family. This year’s competition, again sponsored by the Zell Family Foundation, offers this same opportunity to a new cohort of emerging artists. A celebratory reception will take place immediately after the competition’s conclusion and offer a chance to meet and toast the achievements of all of the contestants and congratulate the newly crowned winner.