Music@Bethel Opens 14th Season with Chamber Music Featuring Cellist Jocelyn Butler

An intimate afternoon of beautiful music awaits when cellist Jocelyn Butler, violinist Sharon Chang and pianist Jeffrey Panko join together to perform music by jazz composer Fred Hersch as well as Romantic gems by Brahms, Franck and Rachmaninoff on Sunday, Oct. 14 at 3 p.m. at Bethel United Church of Christ, 315 East St. Charles Road in Elmhurst.

The program opens with a Lyric Piece by Fred Hersch, an aptly named composition, very melodic with lush chords and a jazzy texture, providing an interesting contrast to the rest of the program.

Two of the most popular sonatas in the chamber repertoire will also be presented. Cesar Franck’s Sonata in A major was originally written for piano and violin, but cellists have claimed it for their repertoire, here being performed by one of Chicagoland’s premier cellists, Jocelyn Butler.

Sharon Chang, recently completing her masters at Julliard in violin performance, along with Music@Bethel’s artistic director Jeffrey Panko on piano, will tackle the Brahms Sonata in D minor for violin and piano.

Lastly, the beautiful and passionate Rachmaninoff Trio Elegiaque in G minor will bring all three of these talented musicians together to end the program.

Music@Bethel offers a flexpass to be used in any combination for season concerts. Parking is free and the church is handicapped-accessible. 

Upcoming performances for Music at Bethel include the world-acclaimed Chicago Children’s Choir in two performances Saturday, Dec. 1, at 3:30 and 7 p.m., “Heisenberg Uncertainty Players” presenting big band and swing music Sunday, March 10, 2013 at 3 p.m., and “Jeffrey Panko” on piano Sunday April 28, 2013 at 3 p.m.