The American Music Project is a nonprofit organization dedicated to supporting and underwriting performances of American classical music of the past as well as selectively commissioning new works from American composers.

Gordon Clarinet Quintet enjoys critical success in Chicago premiere

Photo: Max Anisimov
Photo: Max Anisimov

The Chicago premiere of Geoffrey Gordon’s Clarinet Quintet enjoyed great success at the American Music Project concert March 6 at Ganz Hall. Performed by JACK Quartet and Anthony McGill, the event encored the program performed by the same artists in New York last November, featuring works by Earle Brown, John Cage and John Luther Adams, as well as the AMP-commissioned Gordon quintet.

Writing in the Chicago Tribune, John von Rhein praised McGill’s “liquid grace and electric vitality” in the quintet as well as the New York-based quartet: “Bravo to the JACK ensemble for bringing these works our way, and for doing such a deft job of it.”

In Chicago Classical Review, John Y. Lawrence praised the “emotionally generous” Gordon quintet, stating, “If future performances of this piece bring the same energy and commitment, it should become a welcome addition to the clarinet quintet repertoire.”

Read both reviews below.

http://www.chicagotribune.com/entertainment/music/vonrhein/ct-classical-montreal-symphony-ent-0309-20160308-column.html (scroll to end)

http://chicagoclassicalreview.com/2016/03/jack-quartet-and-mcgill-bring-fire-to-edgy-american-music-project-program/