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The Hustle (Chicago Season Closer)

  • Constellation 3111 N Western Ave Chicago, IL 60618 (map)

We close out our 2016/17 Chicago Concert Season with a cyclone of a show orbiting around movement and dance.

We will be moving in perfect synchronicity for Simon Steen-Andersen's "Study for String Instrument #1." More performance art than a piece of music, this number has us all playing off the same score, our arms creating chain-reactions. Inhabiting a kind of “living statue” vibe is the world premiere of Charlie Sdraulig's "Scan," in which our individual actions are triggered by what we see our quartet-mates playing in a given moment.

Nothing less than the human life force, or "Chi," is the inspiration for Augusta Read Thomas's new Spektral commission (by the same title). It's a typically vivacious “Gusty” composition, and no doubt a compelling counterpart to Andrew McManus's exploration of the human brain through the lens of epilepsy, inspired by his own experience with a diagnosis of the same.

Like "Chi," "Neurosonics 2" was written for us just this season, and for it, McManus worked with neuroscientist Tahra Eissa (through the Reva and David Logan Center’s Arts|Science Collaboration Initiative) to mine musical material from the rich brain activity of rats. It's kinetic, as one might imagine, and it provides the electronic backdrop for Andrew's virtuosic string writing.

Ok, now for the most important part. At the end of the concert, we are going to unveil a very special surprise which will involve everyone in attendance. Trust us. You want to be there.