Illinois Philharmonic Orchestra (IPO) is excited to present a concert featuring three works by the Romantic era master Johannes Brahms. Conducted by IPO Music Director Stilian Kirov, All Brahms will take place on Saturday, April 30 at 7:30 pm at the stunning 1,100 seat Ozinga Chapel at Trinity Christian College in Palos Heights. Tickets range from $10-67 and are available at ipomusic.org.
Two of IPO’s principal players will step out as soloists for the last piece Brahms ever composed for full orchestra, the Double Concerto in A minor, Op. 102. Concert master and violinist Azusa Tashiro and principal cellist Jacob Hanegan will perform the work originally premiered in 1887 by famous musicians Joseph Joachim (violin) and Robert Hausmann (cello).
“We are thrilled to feature two of IPO’s incredibly dynamic members of our orchestra as soloists for Brahms’ Double Concerto,” said Illinois Philharmonic Executive Director Christina Salerno, recently named 2022 Executive Director of the Year by the Illinois Council of Orchestras.
In addition to the Double Concerto, IPO will present two of Brahms’ Hungarian Dances, Nos. 5 & 6, and the composer’s Symphony No. 2, notable for its uplifting and pastoral nature. Brahms’ most popular pieces during his lifetime and today, his Hungarian Dances, utilize music for Hungarian folk styles of dance like the csárdás. Brahms composed only four symphonies during his career.
About the Soloists
Azusa Tashiro
Chicago-based violinist Azusa Tashiro enjoys her active and diverse career as an orchestra player, chamber musician and a teacher. She is a Concertmaster of the Illinois Philharmonic Orchestra, and holds positions at the South Bend Symphony Orchestra as an Assistant Concertmaster, and the Rockford Symphony Orchestra as a Principal Second Violinist. She has regularly performed with the Milwaukee Symphony Orchestra, and has performed with the Minnesota Orchestra, Louisiana Philharmonic Orchestra, Fort Wayne Philharmonic, Chicago Philharmonic, Joffrey Ballet, and the Civic Orchestra of Chicago which she was a Concertmaster in their 2009-10 season.
Jacob Hanegan
Chicago-based Jacob Hanegan is principal cellist of the Illinois Philharmonic Orchestra. He enjoys regular performances with the Seattle Symphony Orchestra, Sarasota Orchestra, Pacific Northwest Ballet, and the Chicago Philharmonic. A 2018 alum of The New World Symphony, Hanegan spent his time there working with leading cellists and conductors from around the world under music director Michael Tilson Thomas. As a lover of opera, he spent two seasons performing with the Des Moines Metro Opera along with serving as principal of the Aspen Opera Center Orchestra, the Shepherd School Opera Orchestra, and the Eastman Opera Orchestra. He has performed chamber music collaborations with members of the Cleveland Quartet and Emerson Quartet, along with many contemporary music performances in Florida, Texas, and New York.
About The Illinois Philharmonic Orchestra
Named “Illinois Professional Orchestra of the Year” for the third time in 2020 by the Illinois Council of Orchestras, Illinois Philharmonic Orchestra celebrates its 44th Season in 2021-2022. From its community orchestra roots in Park Forest, the 69-member orchestra has grown into a critically acclaimed professional regional orchestra. Under the leadership of Music Director Stilian Kirov and Executive Director Christina Salerno, the mission of IPO is to provide concerts of compelling professional symphonic music, support music education, and expand audience awareness of musical excellence for the diverse communities of the greater Chicago region.
Illinois Philharmonic Orchestra is supported in part by: Gaylord and Dorothy Donnelly Foundation, Ozinga Foundation, Michuda Construction, the Illinois Arts Council Agency and National Endowment for the Arts.
For more information, visit ipomusic.org or call 708.481.7774.