Music Institute of Chicago Welcomes Pianist Sergei Babayan in Bach Week Festival, 5/5

The Music Institute of Chicago welcomes back celebrated pianist Sergei Babayan, in a co-presentation as part of the 44th annual Bach Week festival, May 5 at Nichols Concert Hall, 1490 Chicago Avenue, Evanston.

On a program featuring the Bach Week Festival Orchestra under the baton of Music Director Richard Webster, Babayan performs Bach's Concerto in E Major BWF 1053 and Concerto for Two Keyboards in C minor, BWV 1062, joined on the latter by pianist Grace Fong. Other soloists include Chicago Symphony Orchestra cellist Katinka Kleijn, performing Suite No. 2 in D minor for Unaccompanied Cello, MWV 1008, and Chicago Symphony Orchestra flutist Jennifer Gunn, performing Partita in A minor for Unaccompanied Flute, BWV 1013.

A pre-concert lecture with Carl Grapentine, morning program host on Chicago's classical music station WFMT, takes place at 6:30 p.m.

Sergei Babayan
Hailed for his emotional intensity, bold energy, and remarkable levels of color, Sergei Babayan brings a deep understanding and insight to a stylistically diverse repertoire, which includes a performance history of 54 concertos. Le Figaro has praised his "unequaled touch, perfectly harmonious phrasing and breathtaking virtuosity." Highlights of the 2016-17 season, in addition to this concert, include recitals in Montreal; Vancouver; Lawrence, Kansas; St. Paul, Minnesota; Durham, North Carolina; and Charleston, South Carolina; duo recitals with Daniil Trifonov in Princeton, New Jersey, and Sarasota, Florida; chamber music performances in Los Angeles and Fort Worth; and a return to the Verbier Festival for a recital in August 2017.

Music Institute of Chicago
The Music Institute of Chicago is dedicated to transforming lives through music education. Founded in 1931, the Music Institute has grown to become one of the largest and most respected community music schools in the nation. Offering musical excellence built on the strength of its distinguished faculty, commitment to quality, and breadth of programs and services, the Music Institute is a member of the National Guild for Community Arts Education and accredited by the Accrediting Commission for Community and Pre-collegiate Arts Schools (ACCPAS). Each year, the Music Institute's teachers reach thousands of students of all ages and levels of experience through private lessons; its early childhood program, Musikgarten®; and its Suzuki Education, Musical Theater, Jazz Studies and Adult Studies programs. Music Institute campuses include two Chicago locations (Fourth Presbyterian Church's Gratz Center and St. James Cathedral), Evanston, Winnetka, Lincolnshire, Lake Forest, and Downers Grove. In addition, the Music Institute is proud of its longstanding partnership with the Chicago Public Schools through its Arts Link program. The Music Institute offers lessons and classes, and concerts through its Community Music School, Academy, and Nichols Concert Hall.

The Music Institute of Chicago presents Sergei Babayan Friday, May 5 at 7:30 p.m. at Nichols Concert Hall, 1490 Chicago Avenue in Evanston. Tickets are $30 for adults, $20 for seniors and $10 for students, available at musicinst.org/faculty-guest-artist-series or 847.905.1500. All programming is subject to change. For more information, visit musicinst.org.
###

Photo of Sergei Babayan by Marco Borggreve.