Event Program: Chamber Music on the Fox Goes Baroque!

CMOTF Goes Baroque!

The Music of Bach, Frescobaldi, and Handel

Program

Praeludium, Chorale, Variations and Fugue…… Johann Immanuel Müller (1774–1839)

Gloria in excelsis Deo…… George Frideric Händel (1685–1759)

Gloria in excelsis Deo
Et in terra pax
Laudamus te
Domine Deus, Rex coelestis
Qui tollis pecata mundi
Quoniam tu solus sanctus

–– INTERMISSION ––

Canzona per bass solo IV…… Girolamo Frescobaldi (1583–1643)

Brandenburg Concerto No. 5 in D major, BWV 1050…… Johann Sebastian Bach (1685–1750)

Allegro
Affettuoso
Allegro

Guest Artists

Jeremy Attanaseo, bass
Christine Chon, violin
Mark Fry, bass trombone
Scott Metlicka, flute
Kathleen Monson, soprano
Eric Pidluski, violin
Christopher Powell, harpsichord and organ
Bruno Silva, viola
Sara Sitzer, cello

Many thanks to the Baker Memorial United Methodist Church for welcoming us into their beautiful space this season!

Program Notes

(click title below to read)

German organist Johann Müller was a multifaceted musician, serving as not only an organist but also a cantor, choral director, and composer. While this piece is not from the Baroque period, it demonstrates many Baroque qualities, belying Müller’s likely inspiration of earlier composers. He started his career in Erfurt as a cantor and organist at the Kaufmannskirche, or Merchants Church before being appointed to music director in 1810. This piece, written for organ and bass, beautifully showcases both instruments using Baroque-inspired techniques such as the fugue. Each instrument has its own independent line which weaves beautifully with the other, making it reminiscent of earlier works by JS Bach. It’s probable that Müller, born nearly 100 years after Bach, took much inspiration from that master of German liturgical music.

A name synonymous with the Baroque era, Händel has contributed many beloved works of the classical music world, perhaps none so famous as his Messiah. However, one piece almost never came to light, until it was discovered at the Royal Academy of Music’s library in 2001: this Gloria in excelsis Deo for soprano, two violins, and continuo. Händel scholars believe he may have composed this piece during his early years in Germany prior to living in Italy, and listeners can hear the demanding runs and coloratura passages for the soprano which invoke feelings similar to passages in his Messiah which he would complete in 1741 – likely thirty or more years after this piece was originally composed. This piece is identified by its catalogue HWV (Händel-Werke-Verzieichnis or Handel’s Works Catalogue) and deest meaning “lost work”.

As a virtuosic keyboard player and influential composer, Girolamo Frescobaldi was one of the most notable musicians in his home region of Italy, and was organist of St Peter’s Basilica for a total of 29 years. This canzona, or song, is part of a larger set of canzoni which he wrote for keyboard and other instruments. This piece beautifully showcases not only the harpsichord but also the bass solo instrument, which could have been played by many different instruments at the time, including a sackbut (a Baroque instrument similar to today’s trombone).

J.S. Bach, one of the most prolific composers of Western classical music, wrote some of the most recognizable pieces in the Baroque era which are widely performed today. His Brandenburg Concertos, a group of six separate works were all written in honor of the Margrave of Brandenburg. Most agree that Bach did so in order to secure a position at his court as a musician. Even though he failed in this mission, the pieces are now treasured installments of his massive catalogue of works. This concerto is especially remarkable in its featured harpsichord solo, and its extended cadenza is an opportunity for keyboardists to display their virtuosity and dexterity.

Guest Artist Biography

(click each title below to read)

Jeremy Attanaseo

Jeremy Attanaseo is the assistant principal Bass of the Elgin Symphony Orchestra and an alternate for the Chicago Symphony Orchestra. He is also principal bass of Camerata Chicago, International Chamber Artists, and New Millennium Symphony Orchestra. He was previously principal bass of the Dubuque Symphony Orchestra and a member of the South Bend Symphony as well as the Civic Orchestra of Chicago.

Jeremy is orchestra librarian and bass faculty of the Birch Creek Summer Festival in Door County, WI. During this Symphony Session, students participate in a side by side orchestral experience with some of the best musicians and pedagogues in the country.

Jeremy received his Bachelor of Music and Master of Music in bass performance from DePaul University where he studied with Rob Kassinger.

Christine Chon

Originally from California, Christine Chon moved to Chicago to study at DePaul with Robert Waters and Janet Sung. She later left to continue her studies at the Eastman School of Music with Mikhail Kopelman, serving as the teaching assistant to the studio. Upon graduation, Christine returned to Chicago as a freelance violinist. She currently subs with various groups in the area such as Elgin Symphony, Chicago Sinfonietta, Illinois Philharmonic Orchestra, Lyric Opera Orchestra, and the Joffrey Ballet.

Mark Fry

Mark Fry has been one of the leading freelance musicians in Chicago for over two decades. He is currently the bass trombonist for 3rd Coast Brass, the Elgin Symphony Orchestra, and Trio de Chats Noirs. From 2018 to 2024, he served as the acting bass trombonist of the Lyric Opera of Chicago.

Mr. Fry has performed with numerous orchestras across the United States, including the Chicago Symphony Orchestra, Houston Symphony Orchestra, Grant Park Orchestra, Milwaukee Symphony Orchestra, Chicago Sinfonietta, Music of the Baroque – Chicago, Colorado Symphony Orchestra, San Antonio Symphony, Charleston Symphony Orchestra, Britt Festival Orchestra (Oregon), Sarasota Opera, Des Moines Metro Opera, and the Spoleto Festival in Italy. Notably, he performed with the Chicago Symphony at Carnegie Hall in the fall of 2001 and with the Houston Symphony during their 2010 tour of England and Scotland. Before moving to Chicago, he was the bass trombonist of the Hawaii Symphony Orchestra in Honolulu.

In addition to his performing career, Mark Fry served as the Artistic Director of Chamber Music on the Fox for over ten years, an organization he co-founded in 2015 with cellist Sara Sitzer. Chamber Music on the Fox is a vibrant chamber music series serving Aurora, Elgin, and the greater Fox Valley area. In the fall of 2023, a partnership was announced with the Woodstock Opera House to bring Chamber Music on the Fox’s concerts to this historic venue.

As a versatile musician, Mr. Fry frequently doubles on euphonium and bass trumpet. He has appeared with the Chicago Symphony Orchestra, performing the tenor tuba part in Richard Strauss’ Ein Heldenleben, as well as performing euphonium in the annual CSO Brass concert. He also frequently performs euphonium with 3rd Coast Brass and with Trio de Chats Noirs, alongside Rachel Velvikis on horn and Liang-yu Wang on piano.

Mr. Fry has been a guest clinician and has performed solo recitals across the United States. He recently recorded an album of solo and chamber works for the bass trombone, all premier recordings, entitled Flaming Angel. Mr. Fry was recently appointed to the faculty of Northern Illinois University – School of Music as Instructor of Euphonium.

He appears on recordings with the Houston Symphony Orchestra, Lyric Opera of Chicago, Mannheim Steamroller, New Black Music Repertory Ensemble, and the Spoleto Festival Orchestra. His principal teachers were Allen Barnhill, Jay Friedman, and David Waters.

For more information: https://www.frybone.com/

Scott Metlicka

scott meticka - flute — Scott Metlicka, flute

Scott Metlicka enjoys a versatile career as a performer, pedagogue, piano accompanist, and promoter of live music. He grew up in Batavia, IL and received his B. M. (performance) degree from Northern Illinois University. While at NIU, he secured a position with the Rockford Symphony Orchestra and after graduation, the Elgin Symphony. He earned a master’s degree in music from Northwestern University in 2002. Noteworthy engagements include playing bass flute at the 2014 National Flute Association Convention and piccolo, flute, alto flute and recorder for the shows Wicked and Beauty and the Beast. Mr. Metlicka has performed as soloist for Bach’s Brandenburg Concerto #5 with the Rockford Symphony Orchestra, Ibert’s Flute Concerto with the Wisconsin Philharmonic and Rockford Symphony, Liebermann’s Piccolo Concerto with the South Bend Symphony, and Dexter Morrill’s Piccolo Concerto with the Mendelssohn Chamber Orchestra (Rockford). Additional engagements include the Grant Park Symphony, Chicago Philharmonic Orchestra, Chicago Opera Theater, Joffrey Ballet Orchestra, Fulcrum Point New Music Project, Present Music Milwaukee, Madison Symphony, and Wisconsin Chamber Orchestra. During the summer, he has played with the Peninsula Music Festival in Door County, WI and the Pine Mountain Music Festival in Michigan’s Upper Peninsula. He currently is a member of the Rockford, Elgin, and South Bend Symphonies, and Milwaukee’s Skylight Theater Orchestra. He is also a proud alumnus of the Elgin Youth Symphony Orchestra.
A passionate music educator, Mr. Metlicka has a highly regarded private studio in the Chicago area, with many of his students receiving music education and flute performance degrees. He is the Flute Instructor at Northern Illinois University and Adjunct Faculty at Elgin Community College. As an advocate for live music, his chamber music group, Apollo Trio, presents recitals at local libraries and with Chamber Music on the Fox in Elgin. Mr. Metlicka is an avid bicyclist and pedals from his home in Elgin to his family’s cabin in Wisconsin’s Northwoods, where he is currently developing a chamber music series.

Kathleen Monson

Soprano Kathleen Monson continues to delight crowds with her clear tone and confident stage presence. Recently, Kathleen was seen as a soloist with the Hidalgo Street festival in Munich Germany, and performing with Broadway in Chicago, Summer Concert Series.
Striking out as an innovator and entrepreneur Kathleen has created multiple musical concerts and productions. After the successful launch of the musical trio Canto Zenzero, Kathleen collaborated with fellow pianist Riko Higuma and production manager Jordan Monson to create KJR Studio Productions in 2020. Through this boutique style studio she has developed and produced multiple diverse concerts over the past several years and performed throughout the midwest including venues, Fourth Presbyterian Church, Chicago, Los Alamos Arts Council, New Mexico and Saint Johns on the Lake in Milwaukee Wisconsin.
Due to the worldwide pandemic Kathleen experienced many canceled opportunities including performances with Palm Beach Opera, The Bristol Cathedral and Virginia Baroque Academy. However the pandemic proved to be a time of creativity and Kathleen produced several virtual concerts i ncluding, An Evening of Classical music, Night of Italian Opera and more. Additionally she performed the role of Roselinde in Die Fledermaus in KJR Studios virtual production of Die Fledermaus.
I n 2019 Kathleen performed the role of Lauretta in Gianni Schicchi with NOIO, and toured in New York, North Carolina and Illinois with her well known ensemble “Canto Zenzero, The Singing Gingers”.
I n 2018 Kathleen sang the role of Kate Pinkerton in Madama Butterfly at the Princeton Festival under the direction of Richard Tang Yuk, as well as being a featured soloist in Vivaldi’s Gloria with the choir at St. Mark’s Episcopal Church, Glen Elynn. Kathleen was seen as an Emerging Artist in Residence with The Fort Wayne Philharmonic and was invited as a vocal fellow to Opernfest Prague, under the direction of Maestro Richard Hein.
Previous credits include; Rosalinde, Die Fledermaus; Suor Genoveffa, Suor Angelica; Susanna, Le Nozze Di Figaro; Micaëla, Carmen; Just Jeannette, Too Many Sopranos; Alma Hicks, The Music Man; Agatha, Guys and Dolls; Nicemis, Thespis; Emily, A Christmas Carol and Barbarina, Le Nozze Di Figaro. She has performed throughout the United States with the New York Philharmonic, Princeton Festival, Utah Lyric Opera, Opera West, Connecticut Lyric Opera, Golden Rose Opera (NYC), Utopia Opera, (NYC), and Chelsea Opera. International collaborations include appearances with JK Music Productions for performances in Singapore, and Resorts World Genting, in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. Kathleen received her Masters of Music from the Manhattan School of Music, Bachelors of Music from the University of Montana, and a performing arts diploma from Lamont School of Music in Denver, Colorado. Kathleen currently resides with her husband in Chicago Il, and can often be seen with her classical trio of redheaded sopranos, Canto Zenzero. More information can be found at www.kathleenmonsonsoprano.com

Eric Pidluski, violin

Eric Pidluski is a native of Fairfield, CT, where he began playing the violin at age 9. He is currently a member of the first violin sections of Elgin and Rockford Symphonies. In recent seasons, he has performed with Lyric Opera of Chicago, Chicago Opera Theater, Chamber Opera Chicago, Chicago Sinfonietta, Lake Forest Symphony, and Ensemble Dal Niente. He can be heard on the Grammy Award-winning album, Coloring Book, by Chance the Rapper. He attended the DePaul University School of Music, where he received a bachelor’s degree, a master’s degree, and a certificate in violin performance.

Christopher Powell

Christopher Powell is a Chicago area based musician specializing in composition, sacred music, collaborative piano, and jazz. Christopher is the Director of Sacred Music and Organist at the National Shrine of St. Maximilian Kolbe at Marytown in Libertyville, IL, and the Organist of North Shore Congregation Israel in Glencoe, IL. From 2014 to 2021, Christopher served as Music Director and Organist at Christ Church Cathedral in Mobile, AL, and from 2009 to 2014, he was Director of Music Ministries at St. Paul Catholic Church in Pensacola, Florida. Also active in the world of Jewish music, Christopher served as the Anthony and Alma Fisher Music Director at Springhill Avenue Temple in Mobile, AL from 2018 until 2022.  

Christopher studied organ performance at The Juilliard School with Grammy Award-winning organist, Paul Jacobs, and at the University of West Florida with Lynne Lauderdale. He has also performed in masterclasses and studied with Alan Morrison, Ken Cowan, Wilma Jensen, Cameron Carpenter, and Stephen Roberts. Also a composer, Christopher holds a diploma with honors in harmony from the European American Musical Alliance’s Nadia Boulanger Summer Institute in Paris, where he was a student of David Conte. Christopher is also the recipient of silver and bronze medals in composition from the Global Music Awards competition. His work ranges from opera and chamber music to functional liturgical music.  

As a collaborative pianist, Christopher has worked with singers and instrumentalists in rehearsal and recital and served on faculty at Oakwood University in Huntsville, AL. His experience also includes serving as répétiteur for professional and university productions, and working as a staff pianist for the University of Mobile and Mobile Opera in Mobile, AL, as well as répétiteur for Opera Huntsville in Huntsville, AL. Christopher has also served as a staff pianist for the National Association of Teachers of Singing (NATS). He is also becoming popular as a jazz pianist and duo performer with his wife, Demi.

Bruno Silva, viola

Bruno Silva – Began studying viola in 2004 in his native Brazil at the Escola de Musica de Brasilia. After one year, he placed in a solo competition and had the opportunity to perform with the Orquestra Sinfonica da Escola de Musica de Brasilia, performing the G Major Viola Concerto by Telemann. He graduated from the conservatory in two and a half years, a program which normally takes eight years, and then enrolled in the University of Brasilia.

Bruno has gained much experience as an orchestral and chamber musician. He has worked with the Hawaii Symphony Orchestra, Civic Orchestra of Chicago, Chicago Sinfonietta, Quad City Symphony Orchestra, Northwest Indiana Symphony, Elgin Symphony Orchestra, among others. Bruno worked under conductors such as Cliff Colnot, Ricardo Muti, Susanna Malkki, Alastair Willis, Michael Tilson Thomas, Sir Mark Elder, Sir Andrew Davis, Jaap Van Zweden, Mei-Ann Chen, Alex Klein, Harry Bicket, among others. With the Civic Orchestra of Chicago, he had the opportunity of working with Yo-Yo Ma. Bruno was a founding member of the YOURS (Youth Orchestra Urban Rita Simon) Project Chicago, which is an El Sistema music program for unprivileged students, where he worked until 2012. Bruno Completed his undergraduate in music performance at North Park University where he studied with Charles Pikler, Chicago Symphony principal viola and his MM at DePaul University, studying with Rami Solomonow, Lyric Opera of Chicago former viola principal. Bruno has judged many competitions such as solo and ensemble and ILMEA.

Today, Bruno is a freelancer in the Chicago area performing concerts with several orchestras, teaching private lessons, writing arrangements, and performing with the Cloud Gate String Quartet for weddings and events.

For more information: https://brunoviolist.com/

https://brunoviolist.com

Sara Sitzer

Sara Sitzer, whose playing has been described as “rich” and “lustrous” by the Chicago Classical Review, leads a varied life as an orchestral, chamber, and solo cellist, as well as entrepreneur, administrator, and music writer. She has performed recitals all over the world, from Frank Gehry’s New World Center in Miami Beach to the Hermitage Museum in Saint Petersburg, Russia. Her performing career has taken her to Israel, Japan, England, Australia, as well as throughout the United States

Ms. Sitzer’s dedication to connecting with communities through live chamber music performance led her to found both the Gesher Music Festival in St. Louis, Missouri (2011), as well as Chamber Music on the Fox in Elgin, Illinois (2014). She presently serves as founding Executive and Artistic Director for Chamber Music on the Fox. Additionally, as a writer, she has been published in the St. Louis Beacon and NewMusicBox (the blog of New Music USA). 

Ms. Sitzer is a member of the Elgin Symphony Orchestra and regularly performs with the Milwaukee Symphony Orchestra and Chicago Opera Theater, among other ensembles. Ms. Sitzer has had the opportunity to perform alongside the Boston Symphony Orchestra and the Cleveland Orchestra, as well as with the YouTube Symphony Orchestra in Sydney, Australia. Additionally, she travels to the Blue Ridge Mountains of Virginia each summer to perform and to serve as cello and chamber music faculty at the Wintergreen Summer Music Festival. Other festivals she has attended include Tanglewood Music Center, Pacific Music Festival, and the Aspen Music Festival. 

A champion of chamber music and new music in Chicago, Ms. Sitzer is a former member of Chicago Q Ensemble, with whom she recorded two albums, gave a TEDx presentation, and was presented by organizations including the Chicago Loop Alliance, Frequency Series, (Un)Familiar Music Series, Chicago Home Theater Festival, City of Chicago, and American Music Project. 

Ms. Sitzer holds a Master of Music Degree from the University of Wisconsin, where she attended on a Collins Fellowship. She received her Bachelor of Music degree from Boston University as a Trustee Scholar. She also completed a 3-year fellowship with the New World Symphony in Miami under the direction of Michael Tilson Thomas.

Upcoming Concerts & Events

Music for Horns, Piano and Strings

Featuring Matthew Oliphant and Rachel Velvikis

Sunday, January 12, 2025 – 2:30pm
New England Congregational Church, 406 W. Galena Blvd., Aurora, IL
$25 / $15 Students

Monday, January 13, 2025 – 7:30pm
First Congregational Church of Elgin, 256 E. Chicago St., Elgin, IL
$25 / $15 Students

Woodstock Opera House
January 11, 2025 – 2:00 PM
121 Van Buren Street, Woodstock, IL
$30 A Seats / $25 B Seats
(Woodstock Opera House is not included with CMOTF Season Subscription)

Buy Tickets (Elgin Area)Buy Tickets (Aurora)Buy Tickets (Woodstock)

American Stories

Featuring the Zodiac Trio

Sunday, February 23, 2025 – 2:30pm
New England Congregational Church, 406 W. Galena Blvd., Aurora, IL
$25 / $15 Students

Monday, February 24, 2025 – 7:30pm
First Congregational Church of Dundee, 900 S. 8th St., West Dundee, IL
$25 / $15 Students

Woodstock Opera House
February 22, 2025 – 2:00 PM
121 Van Buren Street, Woodstock, IL
$30 A Seats / $25 B Seats
(Woodstock Opera House is not included with CMOTF Season Subscription)

Buy Tickets (Elgin Area)Buy Tickets (Aurora)Buy Tickets (Woodstock)

Capriccio

featuring Liang-yu Wang, piano
Mark Fisher, conductor

Sunday, March 23, 2025 – 2:30pm
New England Congregational Church, 406 W. Galena Blvd., Aurora, IL
$25 / $15 Students

Monday, March 24, 2025 – 7:30pm
First Congregational Church of Dundee, 900 S. 8th St., West Dundee, IL
$25 / $15 Students

Woodstock Opera House
March 16, 2025 – 2:00 PM
121 Van Buren Street, Woodstock, IL
$30 A Seats / $25 B Seats
(Woodstock Opera House is not included with CMOTF Season Subscription)

Buy Tickets (Elgin Area)Buy Tickets (Aurora)Buy Tickets (Woodstock)