Organization

Chicago Symphony Orchestra

Orchestra

Musicians from the Chicago Symphony Orchestra

Singer

Jessie Montgomery

violin

Jasmine Barnes

Soprano

Russell Thomas

Tenor

Damien Geter

Bass-baritone

Carlos Simon

Piano

Conductor

Donald Lee III

Montgomery and the Blacknificent 7

Chicago

United States

Symphony Center Chicago

Montgomery and the Blacknificent 7: Concert Various

Public

In Response to the Madness

CryptOlogiE

Eight Tones for Elijah

I Believe

The United States Welcomes You

Annunciation

Concert

Anna-Maria Gkouni

Approved

The 2023/24 Season of MusicNOW illuminates works by a dynamic collective of Black composers, the Blacknificent 7. Jasmine Barnes performs a work by Dave Ragland and Damien Geter joins Barnes for her world premiere. From Thompson’s In Response to the Madness, which explores the composer’s angst in response to the chaos found today around the world, to Ragland’s Eight Tones for Elijah — a loving tribute to young violinist Elijah McCain who was killed by the police on his walk home — the program surveys current social themes. Also featured are works by Chicago’s own Shawn Okpebholo and Damien Geter. Nimble and accomplished improvisers, CSO Mead Composer-in-Residence Jessie Montgomery and Carlos Simon perform of-the-moment interludes, woven between the other works on the program.

English

Montgomery and the Blacknificent 7 by Thompson, Joel, Okpebholo, Ragland, Barnes, Jasmine, Geter, Various, From (2023/2023), Conductor Donald Lee III, Symphony Center Chicago, Chicago, United States

Performance credits (Cast & Crew )

Ensemble

Program, About & Synopsis

Photos

Further reading

Performance Dates & Venues

Venues