A collaboration between the Shedd Aquarium and the Chicago Sinfonietta, this water-themed program features the world premiere of African-American composer Michael Abels’ “Aquadia,” an exploration of oceans, seas and rivers that include whales, sharks and dolphins and other Pacific Northwest and Polar animals making appearances both musically and in aquatic-themed image projections that attempt to communicate what humans feel as we view these animals. “From vast oceans and tide pools to icy caves, the animals’ movements appear to be choreographed to the music’s crescendos, accelerandos, allegros and adagios,” reads the promotional description of the piece. A recording of “Aquadia” by the Sinfonietta will serve as the soundtrack to the new Shedd Oceanarium show, which will reopen after extensive renovations on May 22 complete with new interactive exhibits. Other music to be performed with a water theme on the program include Handel’s “Water Music” and a movement from Debussy’s “La mer,” (“The Sea”) along with the Beethoven First Piano Concerto with soloist Anton Kuerti. William Eddins conducts. (Dennis Polkow)
May 10, Dominican University’s Lund Auditorium, 7900 W. Division, River Forest, 6 pm; May 11, Orchestra Hall at Symphony Center, 220 S. Michigan, (312)236-3681, $26-$96. 7:30pm.
Dennis Polkow is an award-winning veteran journalist, critic, author, broadcaster and educator. He made his stage debut at age five, was a child art prodigy and began playing keyboards in clubs at the age of fourteen. He holds degrees in music theory, composition, religious studies and philosophy from DePaul University in Chicago. Polkow spent his early years performing and recording in rock and jazz bands while concertizing as a classical pianist, organist and harpsichordist and composing, arranging and producing for other artists. As a scholar, Polkow has published and lectured extensively and taught at several colleges and universities in various departments. As an actor, narrator and consultant, Polkow has been involved with numerous films, plays, broadcasts and documentaries. As a journalist, Polkow helped co-create the experiential Chicago Musicale and Spotlight, the award-winning tabloid arts and entertainment section of the Press Publications chain of newspapers, which he later edited. He also created and ran the nationally recognized journalism program at Oakton College and was faculty advisor to its award-winning student newspaper; many former students went on to major media careers, including Channel Awesome’s the Nostalgia Critic. Polkow’s research, interviews, features, reviews and commentaries have appeared across national and international media and he has corresponded from the Middle East, Asia and Africa for the Chicago Tribune. Contact: dpolkow25@aol.com
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