It’s nice to see Music of the Baroque end its current season with music of the, uh, Baroque. Yes, there are a couple of late Haydn symphonies, clearly over the line of the Classical era that have formed the bulk of the group’s repertoire since Mozart conductor Jane Glover took over the group a few seasons ago (principal guest conductor Nicholas Kraemer will conduct this program), but is the music of Handel that will take the spotlight on this program, especially his “Music for the Royal Fireworks” that was written in 1749 to serve as accompaniment for a spectacular royal fireworks display celebrating the Peace of Aix-la-Chapelle where pyrotechnicians and set designers from across Europe converged on London to put on a show of all shows. Of course, achieving color in fireworks did not develop until later, so the “color” was provided by the elaborate scenery and music. Also included is Handel’s Concerto a due cori No. 2 in F Major, HWV 333 for double wind choir. (Dennis Polkow)
May 17, First United Methodist Church, 1630 Hinman, Evanston, 7:30pm; May 18, Millennium Park’s Harris Theater, 205 E. Randolph, (312)551-1414. 7:30pm. $30-$75.
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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