A lover of music his whole life, Louis Harris has written extensively from the early days of punk and alternative rock. More recently he has focused on classical music, especially chamber ensembles. He has reviewed concerts, festivals, and recordings and has interviewed composers and performers. He has paid special attention to Chicago’s rich and robust contemporary art music scene. He occasionally writes poetry and has a published novel to his credit, 32 Variations on a Theme by Basil II in the Key of Washington, DC. He now lives on the north side of Chicago, which he considers to be the greatest city in the country, if not the world. Member of the Music Critics Association of North America.
Under the direction of Jaap van Zweden, the Chicago Symphony Orchestra gave an engrossing performance of a symphony that is challenging to all involved: Gustav Mahler’s Symphony No. 7. In […]
As part of its efforts to mix music with an art exhibit currently on display, the Driehaus Museum hosted members of the Chicago Symphony Orchestra for an evening of chamber […]
Before returning to their homes in Berlin, the Leonkoro Quartet finished their North American tour with an entertaining concert at Logan Center in Hyde Park on Friday night. Formed in […]
Under the nuanced direction of conductor Manfred Honeck, the Chicago Symphony Orchestra and Chorus gave a spirited performance at Symphony Center on Thursday night. The first half of the program […]
The Miró Quartet from Austin, Texas, entertained a large audience to end the Northwestern Winter Chamber Music Festival on Sunday. In performing a program of classics by Franz Joseph Haydn […]
In 2024 Chicago’s Cedille Records released several CDs featuring vocal music, continuing a trend from 2023. Several include world premier recordings of works by Chicago composers. Others resurrect long-ignored songs […]
Under the direction of Christoph Eschenbach, the Chicago Symphony Orchestra gave a lovely performance of music by Richard Strauss, Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart, and Ludwig van Beethoven on Friday afternoon. Joining […]
The sounds of the first viola ever made by Antonio Stradivarius wafted through the rafters of Symphony Center on Thursday as French-born Antoine Tamestit performed William Walton’s concerto for that […]
Over a two-evening span, Dame Jane Glover and Music of the Baroque Orchestra and Chorus provided a once-in-a-lifetime musical experience. On Tuesday, with the help of soprano Joélle Harvey, tenor […]
Under the direction of Dame Jane Glover, Music of the Baroque Orchestra gave a spirited performance of musical chestnuts at Ravinia’s Martin Theater on Tuesday night. In doing so, it […]
A Chicago audience got its first taste of a new musical organization at the PianoForte Studios on Saturday evening. The American Chamber Music Society introduced itself in a dramatic fashion […]
Under the lively leadership of Jonathan Rush, the Chicago Symphony Orchestra completed a residency at Ravinia in an amazing fashion on Sunday evening. Joined by violinist Rachel Barton Pine, the […]