Preview: Chicago Symphony Orchestra: Schreker, Gershwin, Chopin & Rachmaninov

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Franz Schreker’s Chamber Symphony reflects his most pure expression of his constant fascination with combining instruments in unusual ways to create new sounds and timbres. Indeed, Schreker had an interest in the possibilities of new instruments and technology that could evolve into new timbres since, as he wrote in a letter while he was composing the Chamber Symphony about his “desperate battles” with instrumentation, that his imagination was beyond the musical materials of his day: “I often hear sounds that can scarcely be realized with existing means.” This rarely performed work will be given its Chicago premiere on an otherwise bizarre piano program with vacuous virtuoso Lang Lang performing his own adaptation of Gershwin’s “Rhapsody in Blue,” which bears little resemblance to what Gershwin had in mind. It was fun to watch duet partner and native Chicagoan Herbie Hancock attempt to keep a straight face while Lang Lang made his square romp through Gershwin like a bull in a china shop at the Grammy Awards. As if that weren’t enough, the reckless rascal will also trounce his way through Chopin (including solo pieces) and Rachmaninov. Luckily, the Schreker is the first thing on this otherwise overblown program. (Dennis Polkow) Ravinia Festival, Lake-Cook & Green Bay, Highland Park, (847)266-5100. 5pm. $10-$75.