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.
In keeping with its practice of promoting diversity, equity, and inclusion in classical music, the Chicago Sinfonietta will be celebrating composers and performers from the lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgendered, and […]
Chicago’s Orion Ensemble continued its Miniatures and Masterworks season at the PianoForte Studios on Wednesday evening with a program of modern and contemporary works tailored to its unusual lineup of […]
In his Chicago debut on Sunday afternoon, British pianist Benjamin Grosvenor wowed a Symphony Center audience with intensely passionate, yet wonderfully delicate playing. Hailed as a youthful sensation, this 24-year-old […]
In keeping with its long-term efforts to leverage different styles of new music, the Fulcrum Point New Music Project will convene its second Black Composer Speaks concerts and discussions this […]
Chamber music continued to flow out of Evanston’s Pick-Staiger Hall on Sunday night as Northwestern’s 21st annual Winter Chamber Music Festival presented guest artists and Bienen School of Music faculty. […]
The Northwestern Winter Chamber Music Festival kicked off its 21st season Sunday night with a performance by the up-and-coming Canadian group, the New Orford String Quartet, at the Pick-Staiger Concert Hall […]
Since joining the team at Third Coast Review last winter, I have had the privilege of seeing and reviewing several excellent concerts. While 2016 was unpleasant and disappointing in many […]
Holiday vocal concerts always give me trepidation. While choral concerts often include popular songs that crowd out the classical repertoire, during the holidays, any manner of music, classical and popular, […]
At the end of a frenzied day of performances across the city, the Civic Orchestra of Chicago concluded Wednesday’s Bach Marathon with a free concert of all six Brandenburg Concertos […]
In a program entitled Autumnal Reflections, a trio from the 11-member Fifth House Ensemble gave a rousing performance of three romantic era works at the Driehaus Museum on Wednesday night. […]
Violinist Isabelle Faust and Pianist Alexander Melnikov gave a charming and clean, if occasionally restrained, performance of Beethoven sonatas on Friday night at Mandel Hall at the University of Chicago […]
In its second offering of the 2016-17 season, the Orion Ensemble goes back to its roots with three of its founding members playing music from the 20th century. Serenade by […]