Critic’s Choice

Wed Apr 03, 2019 at 2:23 pm

By Lawrence A. Johnson

“Musical Company” by Jan van Bijlert, c.1597.

The Newberry Consort is closing its season this weekend with a typically diverting and scrupulously researched program of early music. Titled “Le Jardin de Mélodies” these concerts will explore secular songs and dances from the French-speaking world, circa 1550-1600. Lutenists Paul O’Dette and Charles Weaver join the Newberrians in a lineup that avoids the usual Gallic suspects, featuring music by such names as Janequin, de Sermisy, Crequillon, Arcadelt and Phalèse.

“Le Jardin de Mélodies” will be presented 8 p.m. Friday at the Newberry Library, 8 p.m. Saturday at the Logan Center for the Arts and 3 p.m. Sunday at Northwestern University’s Galvin Recital Hall in Evanston. newberryconsort.org

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For those seeking more populist symphonic fare, the Chicago Philharmonic will offer an afternoon of Romantic favorites this weekend. Scott Speck leads the Philharmonic musicians in Tchaikovsky’s Romeo and Juliet Fantasy-Overture and Rimsky-Korsakov’s Scheherazade. The Philharmonic’s Robert Everson will be in the solo spotlight for Michael Daugherty’s aptly named timpani concerto, Raise the Roof.

Concert time is 3 p.m. Sunday at Northwestern’s Pick-Staiger Hall in Evanston. chicagophilharmonic.org

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