RECOMMENDED
Principal conductor Carlos Kalmar returns to conclude the final weeks of the Grant Park Orchestra season on the heels of the release of no less than two superb CDs on the Chicago-based Cedille label with the orchestra—“Portraits” with Chicago violinist extraordinaire Jennifer Koh performing violin concertos by Syzmanowski, Martin and Bartók, and “American Orchestral Works,” including world-premiere recordings by three generations of American composers, including Barbara Kolb, Aaron Jay Kernis, Michael Hersch, first CSO composer-in-residence John Corigliano and John Harbison. Born of Viennese parents in Uruguay, Kalmar grew up with South American music, which will be spotlighted on this program along with a new and lively take on the traditional, excessively melodramatic and often morbid Portuguese “fado” or “fate” music tradition provided by guest singer Cristina Branco. (Dennis Polkow)
August 2 at Pritzker Pavilion, Michigan between Randolph and Monroe, (312)742-7638. 6:30pm. Free.
