Nichols Concert Hall

The Chen String Quartet

Sunday, October 11 at 3 pm

The Nichols Concert Hall 2020-2021 season begins with a special live performance that brings together two Chicago institutions committed to cultivating and spotlighting classical music.  The Music Institute of Chicago, celebrating 90 years of excellence, innovation, and accessibility in music education and WFMT, celebrating 70 years in 2021 as one of the world’s most respected classical music radio stations, come together to recognize milestone anniversaries in the first in a series of collaborations.

The Chen String Quartet, comprised of Chicago Symphony Orchestra Concertmaster Robert Chen, his wife and violinist Laura Park Chen, and their children Beatrice Chen on viola, and Noah Chen on cello. The performance will air live on 98.7WFMT and wfmt.com. “WFMT has long been committed to providing a showcase for emerging local talent, through our Introductions series and other programs,” said WFMT General Manager George Preston. “We look forward to continuing to collaborate with the Music Institute throughout our respective special anniversary seasons.”

The free live concert from Nichols Concert Hall is a special culminating event of the Music Institute's "Families in Concert," a weekend of virtual performances to raise money for scholarships and financial aid October 9–11 at its historic Nichols Concert Hall. Music Institute President and CEO Mark George noted, “Quality music education should be accessible to everyone. An enormous number of families need scholarships and financial aid, and this fundraiser is a wonderful way to help. I am grateful to WFMT for their partnership and support and very pleased to be celebrating our anniversaries together.” 

Sponsors and ticket buyers at the $100+ level receive an exclusive pre-concert backstage pass to visit with CSO Concertmaster Robert Chenand his talented family of musicians at 2:25 pm.

More information about "Families in Concert", including tickets and sponsorships >>

PROGRAM
String Quartet in G, Op. 18/2...................Ludwig van Beethoven

Serenade for string trio, Op. 10................Ernst von Dohnányi

Intermission
A brief conversation with WFMT Vice President and General Manager and Music Institute of Chicago President and CEO Mark George

Sonata No. 3 for solo violin, “Ballade”.......Eugène Ysaÿe

String Quartet No. 1, “From My Life”.........Bedrich Smetana

More about the Chen String Quartet
The Chen String Quartet has been playing together for six years. Committed to community outreach, they regularly play at Chicago-area retirement homes and hospitals. Robert Chen has been concertmaster of the Chicago Symphony Orchestra since 1999. Laura Park Chen is a former member of the first violin section of both Lyric Opera and Grant Park Symphony. Beatrice Chen is a viola student at the Curtis Institute of Music. Noah Chen is a student of Clara Kim at Juilliard Pre-College.