Role

:

Ensemble

Period

:

Modern

Genre

:

Chamber

 

Chicago Pro Musica is a classical music ensemble that was founded in 1978 by three musicians who shared a passion for chamber music. The founding members were Larry Combs, a clarinetist who was the principal clarinetist of the Chicago Symphony Orchestra at the time, Richard Kanter, a bassoonist who was also a member of the Chicago Symphony Orchestra, and pianist Bruce Saylor. The ensemble's mission was to perform chamber music of the highest quality, with a focus on contemporary works. They quickly gained a reputation for their innovative programming and virtuosic performances, and became one of the most respected chamber ensembles in the United States. Over the years, the ensemble has had a number of different members, but the core group has remained relatively stable. In addition to Combs, Kanter, and Saylor, the ensemble has included flutist Susan Levitin, oboist Michael Henoch, horn player Gail Williams, and cellist Christopher Costanza, among others. One of the highlights of the ensemble's early years was their performance at the 1980 Olympic Arts Festival in Lake Placid, New York. They performed a program of contemporary works by American composers, including Elliott Carter, George Crumb, and Milton Babbitt, to critical acclaim. In 1982, the ensemble released their first album, titled "Chicago Pro Musica," which featured works by Mozart, Beethoven, and Brahms. The album was well-received and helped to establish the ensemble as a major force in the chamber music world. Throughout the 1980s and 1990s, the ensemble continued to perform and record, with a focus on contemporary works. They premiered numerous pieces by American composers, including John Harbison, William Bolcom, and Joan Tower. One of the ensemble's most notable performances was their 1990 performance of Olivier Messiaen's "Quartet for the End of Time" at the Ravinia Festival in Highland Park, Illinois. The piece, which was written while Messiaen was a prisoner of war during World War II, is considered one of the most important works of the 20th century. The ensemble's performance was widely praised for its sensitivity and emotional depth. In 1995, the ensemble released their album "American Music for Clarinet and Strings," which featured works by Aaron Copland, Leonard Bernstein, and Samuel Barber, among others. The album was nominated for a Grammy Award in the Best Chamber Music Performance category. In addition to their performances and recordings, the ensemble has also been involved in education and outreach programs. They have worked with students at the Chicago High School for the Arts and have performed for audiences at the Chicago Cultural Center and the Ravinia Festival. Today, Chicago Pro Musica continues to be one of the most respected chamber ensembles in the United States. They have performed at major venues throughout the country, including Carnegie Hall in New York City and the Kennedy Center in Washington, D.C. They have also continued to record, with their most recent album, "The Chicago Pro Musica Plays Mozart," released in 2019. Throughout their history, Chicago Pro Musica has remained committed to their mission of performing chamber music of the highest quality, with a focus on contemporary works. They have inspired countless musicians and audiences with their virtuosic performances and innovative programming, and have helped to establish chamber music as a vital and important art form in the United States.

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