Out of Hibernation
Well, yes, it has been a goodly while since the last missive. There are some exciting happenings on the event horizon, so let’s get right to it.
Afore I forget, my “First Recital in Forever” will take place on Mother’s Day, May 10 at Roosevelt University’s famous Ganz Hall in Chicago at 430 S. Michigan Avenue, 7th floor. It’s free, at 3pm, and will feature not one but two world premieres. More on this below.
For anyone who is interested (and 4 out of 5 dentists are), my performance schedule for the the near future is:
Sunday, March 29, Red Line Tap, Chicago, IL, 4pm
Gunnelpumpers comes out of hibernation to share a Sunday matinee performance with whitewolfsonicprincess (WWSP) and other variety show acts. I’ve temporarily taken over bass playing duties with WWSP, so it’ll be a busily enjoyable afternoon.
https://www.facebook.com/events/767644876645928/
Sunday, April 12, North Shore Center for the Performing Arts, Skokie, IL, 3pm
Ars Viva Symphony performs Nielsen, Waxman, and Symphony No. 2 by Serge Rachmaninoff. I still remember performing the Rachmaninoff with Vilem Sokol and the Seattle Youth Symphony back in the day. Such a great piece, and will be performed by an outstanding group. Hit me up if you’re interested in attending.
http://arsviva.org/concerts/#4
Sunday, April 19, Pick Staiger Concert Hall, Evanston, IL, 7pm
Chicago Philharmonic performs great works of Spanish and French composers, including Debussy’s spellbinding La Mer (The Sea) and Ravel’s Piano Concerto for Left Hand. There has been a lot of speculation on what soloist Jorge Federico Osorio will be doing with his right hand during this performance, but twirling a drumstick is the odds-on favorite. This is a superb orchestra.
http://www.chicagophilharmonic.org/chicago-philharmonicscents-of-beautydebussy-de-falla-ravel/
Sunday, April 26, North Shore Center for the Performing Arts, Skokie, IL, 3pm
Skokie Valley Symphony Orchestra is presenting a concert of musical theater and opera works.
http://svso.org/april-2015-concert
Sunday, May 10, Ganz Hall, Chicago, IL, 3pm
May 10 is Mother’s Day, and what better way to celebrate it than with brunch and a bass recital (brunch not included). This is my first recital since, ahem, skinny ties were in vogue and nirvana meant only a blissful state, thus the “First Recital in Forever” moniker. This, presumably, will be my one and only First Recital in Forever, and forever is a very long time, especially in dog years.
It’s an ambitious and challenging project, but I am so excited about the beautiful 2006 Sergio Scaramelli bass acquired last fall that something had to be done about it. The first half will consist of two wonderfully lyrical works: Rossini’s Duet for ‘Cello and Bass with the inimitable Mark Lekas, and my first performance of Schubert’s “Arpeggione” Sonata in A minor with the supremely talented Michael Miller on piano. The second half will exclusively feature works by Michael Miller and myself, including the world premieres of Michael’s “Insomnia” for solo bass and my “Waltzscherzo” for six basses to be performed by an unnamed group. (Really, it doesn’t yet have a name.)
It’s free, it’s at the gorgeous and historic Ganz Hall downtown Chicago, both my mom and dad will be there are. Lots of fine music, new and old. Hope you can make it! https://www.facebook.com/events/586673501476044/
Sunday, May 17, North Shore Center for the Performing Arts, Skokie, IL, 3pm
Ars Viva Symphony final concert of the season consists of works inspired by the plays of Shakespeare. As always, let me know if you are interested in going. This is a superb orchestra. http://arsviva.org/concerts/#5
Friday, May 22, 27 Live, Evanston, IL, evening
whitewolfsoniceprincess opens for the The Rolling Clones, a great cover band of you know you. Percussionist and Gunnelpumpers co-founder Randy Farr will be jamming with both groups.
Sunday, May 31, Red Line Tap, Chicago, IL, 4pm
Gunnelpumpers comes out of hibernation AGAIN to share a Sunday matinee performance with whitewolfsonicprincess (WWSP) and other variety show acts. This could become a regular thang, so c’mon out and represent!
Saturday, June 13, Uncommon Ground (Devon), Chicago, IL, evening
Gunnelpumpers (no longer in hibernation) and WWSP will be sharing the bill at the wonderful Uncommon Ground on Devon.
Sunday, June 21, Bellingham High School Auditorium, Bellingham, WA, 3pm
Not only will I be doing a special concert on Mother’s Day, but Father’s Day as well, for which both of my wonderful parents will also be in attendance. I’m overjoyed to be participating in the Bellingham Music Club’s all-star Gala Concert with my brother Jeffrey (all the way from Spain) and many other dear friends and colleagues with whom I started making great music with way back in the day.
https://bellinghammusicclub.wordpress.com/centennial/
https://bellinghammusicclub.wordpress.com/gala-concert-tickets/
Sunday, September 27, St. Luke Church, Chicago, IL 4pm
Performing Bach’s Great Catholic Mass (aka Mass in B Minor), led by long-time friend Mark Bangert. Not to be missed. http://www.stlukechicago.org/church/music_bach.shtml
Well, that all’s for now. I hope you are well and see you somewhere soon!
Cheers,
Douglas “Doug” Johnson
http://gunnelpumpers.com/live