The benefit performance lecture will feature avant-garde composer and pianist, George Flynn, with special guest Joanna Wernette, mezzo soprano. 

Proceeds from this evening of live performance, recorded music, and talk-back with the audience will go toward the production of a documentary film of the April 11th event in New York City, “On the Publication of BAsics, a Celebration of Revolution and the Vision of a New World.” This was an evening of revolutionary culture—jazz, funk, soul, rock, theater, dance, poetry, visual arts and film—all giving voice to the possibility of a radically different world and celebrating the publication of BAsics, from the talks and writings of Bob Avakian, a comprehensive yet succinct new  book of quotations and short essays. Performers included jazz musicians Maggie Brown, David Murray, William Parker, and Matthew Shipp, as well as the band Outernational, and poet Abiodun Oyewole from The Last Poets, to name a few.

On the heels of the highly successful program featuring Greg Kot and Jim DeRogatis on The Beatles vs. The Rolling Stones: Sound Opinions on the Great Rock 'n' Roll Rivalry, Chopin Theatre and Revolution Books are proud to present another collaboration, “Music with a Conscience, the Protest Music of George Flynn.”

George Flynn taught composition at Columbia University in the mid-1960s and spent his time experimenting and performing in SoHo lofts with John Cage, Dick Higgins, and artists of the avant-garde Fluxus Movement. This was the time of the Vietnam War and the 1968 student revolts and it was during this heady time in history that George’s musical and political ideas have their roots.

Since then George has composed over 150 works in all media, including six hours of piano solo music, and has recorded for Turnabout, ATCO, Finnadar, Wounded Bird, and Southport records. Several CD’s of his music are available, most notably on the Southport Composers label, which recently released Flynn’s American City, including works for orchestra, large wind ensemble and chorus. Fredrik Ullén’s BIS recording of Flynn’s 114-minute piano solo, Trinity, is available, with the entire score (154 pages) included (pdf format) on the second disk.. The Music and Arts label has just released pianist Carlo Grante’s performzance of Flynn’s Glimpses of Our Inner lives along with works by Busoni, Bloch and Finnissy. The Boston Globe called Flynn’s Tanglewood performance this summer of Pieces of Night, “a furiously virtuosic, brilliantly chiseled 50-minute monument to Vietnam-era insomnia, turbulence both historic and timely.”

Flynn received his academic degrees from Columbia University, New York City, and taught at Columbia and DePaul Universities as well as Lehmann College (CUNY). He has been visiting lecturer/composer at many music institutions throughout the country and Canada, and has contributed articles to several American publications. As a pianist Flynn has performed and recorded new music for many years in the US and Europe. He is the recipient of awards from many individuals and organizations, is a member of ASCAP, and is entered in The New Groves Dictionary of Music and Musicians, Baker's Biographical Dictionary, and Maurice Hinson‘s Guide to the Piano Repertory.

George Flynn will celebrate his 75th year in 2012.

Joanna Wernette, mezzo-soprano, is a native of Hinsdale, Illinois. Joanna has enjoyed extensive performing success throughout Chicago, making her professional Operatic Debut as Lucretia in Britten’s “The Rape of Lucretia” with the Millennium Chamber Players with whom she also sang the role of Popova in Walton’s The Bear. She has been a vocalist for performances including a WFMT broadcast and recording of Schoenberg’s Pierre Lunaire as well as two solo cantatas by J.S. Bach. With the American Opera Group, Joanna recently performed the roles of Carmen in Peter Brook’s version of Bizet’s La Tragedie de Carmen as well as Rosina in Rossini’s Il Barbiere di Siviglia.  Joanna completed her undergraduate studies at the Chicago College of Performing Arts where she performed the roles of Nancy in Britten’s Albert Herring, Beppe in Mascagni’s L’Amico Fritz and Mrs. Peachum in John Gay’s A Beggar’s Opera. Last year Joanna completed her MM at DePaul University’s School of Music, where she sang the roles of Gertrude in Humperdinck’s Hansel and Gretel, Ericlea in Monteverdi’s The Return of Ulysses, Prince Orlofsky in Die Flederamaus, and Mrs. Soames in the Chicago premier of Our Town. On the concert stage, Joanna has been a featured soloist with the Downers Grove Choral Society in their performances of Handel’s Messiah, Mozart’s Requiem, and Beethoven’s Choral Fantasy, and performed Mahler’s Kindertotenlieder with the Milwaukee Summer Philharmonic. Also an avid performer of contemporary music, Joanna has premiered works by Chicago composers George Flynn, Eric Malmquist, and Jacob Bancks.

Donations suggested $10/$5 students and seniors with advance tickets available 773-489-0930.

Chopin Salon events are supported in part by Wspolnota Polska, Zywiec Beer, Kasia Deli and Oakmill Bakery .  To have your own Salon event please contact us at 773-278-1500.