2011–2012 Season

A Season of Discovery
Featuring Hershey Felder & Amit Peled

Maestro Heatherington

Ars Viva! gives five Sunday afternoon concerts (3:00 p.m.) at the North Shore Center for the Performing Arts in Skokie, Illinois with the programming for which Maestro Heatherington is famous.

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“With about 20 current and former members of the Chicago Symphony Orchestra forming the core of his orchestra, the performances bespeak a high degree of professional polish. Sunday’s concert reflected well on the close rapport these players enjoy with Heatherington.” “He inspired an alert and bracingperformance from his orchestra. Telling details such as the soft, floating chords for flutes and bassoons, the strings’ running eighth-note patterns, the wild build- ups of brass and the chillingly detached ending were integrated into a coherent, convincing whole.”
—John von Rhein, Chicago Tribune

“It was touching that one of Mozart’s greatest hits, Eine Kleine Nachtmusik, opened the program. This overly familiar work for string orchestra can be a humdrum affair for music lovers who have heard it countless times. But with the children [from the Music for Life program] happily applauding after each movement, it was impossible not to hear the music with fresh ears. Mozart’s melodies bristled with color and energy.”
—Wynne Delacoma, Chicago Classical Review

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Gala Opening Concert
Aliyah Chicago Premiere

Hershey Felder
Hershey Felder

Sunday, September 25 • 3:00 p.m.
Monday, September 26 • 7:30 p.m. *


Music of a PeopleUS Premiere
Drawn from the spectacular London recordings, these brilliant and beloved orchestrations of favorite Jewish melodies have never before been heard in the US in live performances.

An English Landscape with Amit Peled

Amit Peled
Amit Peled

Sunday, October 23 • 3:00 p.m.

If you think all English music is excessively “pastoral,” DISCOVER these masterpieces that range from youthful exuberance to mature passion. And our brilliant Israeli cellist will win you over with the extraordinary warmth and intensity that he brings to this great concerto.

Four Great Romantic Nationalists

Alan Heatherington

Sunday, November 13 • 3:00 p.m.

DISCOVER the romantic heights and depths of four favorite works: the dreamily atmospheric children’s prayer of Humperdinck, the fiendishly gleeful Liszt waltz, the broadly majestic Wagner overture and the vividly nationalistic first symphony of Sibelius. Captivating!

A Sunday Serenade

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Sunday, January 8 • 3:00 p.m.

DISCOVER how three of the greatest masters sidestep their symphonic seriousness to bring you spirited, sensuous, soul-soothing Sunday serenades. Truth be told, all three works represent these composers at their inspired and inspiring best.

Youthful Virutosity

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Sunday, March 11 • 3:00 p.m.

The DISCOVERY of astonishingly gifted young virtuosi is a hallmark of the exciting partnerships between Ars Viva, the Emilio Del Rosario Piano Concerto Competition and the Music Institute of Chicago. Toss in the energetic overture to Prince Igor and one of the most engaging symphonies of Dvorák, and this will be an afternoon to treasure.

A Rising Star

Sunday, May 1, 4:30 pm

High on the list of discoveries at Ars Viva has always been the identification of amazing performers on the rise, here the winner of the second annual Music Institute of Chicago Competition, Alexandra Switala, violin. Also discover a wonderfully engaging work by a Chicago-based composer, and find out where Hindemith got the inspiration for his brilliant homage to Weber. What a great way to cap off a season that is both incredible and indelible! That’s Ars Viva!

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Music for Life

Music for Life

Share your love of music with the children in your life. Learn about our Music for Life program…

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Twice named professional “Orchestra of the Year” by the Illinois Council of Orchestras, Ars Viva is distinguished by performances of very high quality. Led by Music Director Alan Heatherington, Ars Viva is composed of many of the finest players in the Chicago area, including members of the world-renowned Chicago Symphony Orchestra. Founded in 1995, Ars Viva quickly took its place among the finest orchestras in metropolitan Chicago.