Thunder & Light: A World Premiere and Chamber Classics
From the lush, movie-like melodies of Nino Rota to the colorful, shimmering sounds of Maurice Ravel and the light, graceful style of Philippe Gaubert, this program moves through music that feels both comfortingly familiar and excitingly new. At its core, it’s the kind of mix Lakeshore Rush loves most: beloved chamber classics alongside fresh, modern pieces full of personality.
A cornerstone of the evening is music by Chicago composer Amos Gillespie, whose works Maloik, Soul Food, and The Entertainment of Being showcase his distinctive voice—groove-driven, colorful, and deeply expressive. Gillespie’s music bridges classical precision with improvisatory spirit, reflecting the creative pulse of the city Lakeshore Rush calls home.
The highlight of the concert is the WORLD PREMIERE of Thunder Dragon by Larry Axelrod, written especially for Lakeshore Rush. This electrifying new work unleashes bold sonorities, dramatic contrasts, and vivid musical storytelling. As the first-ever performance of the piece, this premiere represents Lakeshore Rush’s ongoing commitment to championing living composers and bringing brand-new music into the world.
Rooted in Chicago and dedicated to presenting music by living composers alongside overlooked chamber masterpieces, Lakeshore Rush brings curiosity, virtuosity, and heart to every performance. Join them for an evening of radiant classics, dynamic contemporary works, and the excitement of a world premiere—music that moves, surprises, and sparks the imagination.
Program:
Nino Rota – Trio for clarinet, cello and piano, mvts II
Amos Gillespie – Maloik (vc, pn)
Ravel – Trio for violin, cello and piano, mvts I and II
Philippe Gaubert – Médailles antiques, for flute, violin and piano, mvt II – Danses
Nicola Resanovic – Trio for violin, alto sax and piano, mvts I and III
Larry Axelrod – Thunder Dragon (cl, fl, vn, vc, pn)
Amos Gillespie – Soul Food, flute, clarinet, alto sax, cello
Amos Gillespie – The Entertainment of Being for flute, clarinet, violin, cello, alto sax and piano
Erin Kendall Murphy, flute
Laura McLaughlin Lingle, clarinet
Amos Gillespie, saxophone
Janice Lee, violin (guest artist)
Christopher Ferrer, cello
Elena Doubovitskaya, piano
