Enjoy intimate classical concerts at The Morton Arboretum’s historic Thornhill Education Center. Monthly performances will be hosted November 2022 through March 2023.
All concerts begin at 2:15 p.m. on select Sundays in the Arbor Room at the Arboretum’s historic Thornhill Education Center. The room holds just 215 people. Attendees will be quite close to the artists—a unique opportunity to see, hear, and feel the music.
Admission to the chamber concerts can be purchased as a subscription (the entire five-concert series), or on a performance by performance basis. Purchasers wanting to buy multiple individual concerts are encouraged to call the Ticket Line at 630-725-2066 to make their purchase.
November 6, 2022 – Patrick Ball
Patrick Ball is one of the premier Celtic harp players in the world and a captivating spoken word artist. In Celtic Harp and Story, Patrick rekindles the fire and wonder of Irish music and storytelling. In playing the ancient, brass-strung harp of Ireland and telling the marvelous old tales of wit and enchantment, he not only carries on two of the richest traditions of Celtic culture, but blends them in concert to create “a warm and magical performance.”
December 4, 2022 – KAIA String Quartet
From the tango of the Rio de la Plata to the string quartets of Silvestre Revueltas, the KAIA String Quartet is an ensemble devoted to promoting the rich and colorful music of Latin America. In 2017, KAIA was the first ensemble in residence at Chicago’s classical radio station, WFMT. During this residency they explored the world of Latin classical music with audiences through daily radio segments, performances and broadcasts around the city and the production of KAIA Kids, a series of children’s education videos.
January 8, 2023 – Metropolis Oboe Quartet
“Something for everyone” is the Metropolis Oboe Quartet’s goal! Oboe, violin, viola and cello is a unique and amazing combination with a rich history of compositions to explore. Join these energetic musicians for a journey through musical time periods and styles that is sure to leave every audience member with something to smile about! No Metropolis experience is the same, with the close-knit group of musicians eager to share their extensive musical knowledge with audience members via playful conversations interspersed throughout the program. In this performance you will hear the works of familiar composers, you’ll meet some new composers – and you will hear music written for the quartet by a Chicago composer!
February 5, 2023 – Duo Kayo
Duo Kayo packs a punch with cellist Titilayo Ayangade and violist Edwin Kaplan. With over 15 years of combined professional experience as members of the Thalea and Tesla String Quartets, this new and unusual ensemble is here to make a statement. Passionate about commissioning new works as well as championing the unsung heroes of the classical repertoire, the duo regularly hosts private live streams and performs live across the Northeast corridor.
March 5, 2023 – Trevor Stephenson and James Waldo (fortepiano and cello)
Fortepianist Trevor Stephenson and cellist James Waldo perform this all-Beethoven program featuring the two thrilling sonatas of opus 5—Opus 5 No. 1 in F major and Opus 5 No. 2 in G minor. Beethoven composed these works in his middle twenties, in 1796, while visiting Berlin. They represent the expressive pinnacle of fortepiano and classical cello writing.
