The Orion Ensemble showcases its core musicians—Kathryne Pirtle, clarinet; Florentina Ramniceanu, violin; Diana Schmück, piano; and Judy Stone, cello—on the third concert program of its 33rd season. Performances take place at three venues: New England Congregational Church in Aurora, including a post-performance Spring Benefit (March 8), PianoForte Studios in Chicago (March 9) and Nichols Concert Hall in Evanston (March 15), where Orion is a Resident Ensemble.
(L–R) Florentina Ramniceanu, Diana Schmück, Kathryne Pirtle and Judy Stone. Photo by Cornelia Babbitt.
The program features a world premiere Orion commission, its first work by young Chicago composer Ephraim Champion (below). His compositions, which span stage and screen, have been heard in Asia, Europe and the U.S. Highlights include “Scenes from South Shore, Chicago,” premiered by Gaudete Brass; “All Things Sublime and Colossal” for the vocal ensemble La Caccina; “A Stone of Hope (Martin’s Song)” for the Music Institute of Chicago; and music for two short films: “Girls in the Back of the Club” and “Rejection is God’s Protection.” He recently completed his first symphonic sketch, “Sonder and Ozurie,” premiered by the Chicago Composers Orchestra.
Beethoven’s Trio in B-flat Major for Clarinet, Cello and Piano, Op. 11 is a favorite of Orion audiences, as well as audiences during his lifetime. One of the earliest works for this combination of voices, this trio highlights the strengths of each instrument while exploring new possibilities as the three different sonorities come together. The first movement, in typical sonata form, is full of energy; the second is beautifully lyrical; and the third is a lively set of variations on an opera tune from The Corsair by Joseph Weigel.
At age 33, Anton Arensky composed one of his most monumental efforts, Piano Trio in D Minor, Op. 32, in memory of the cellist Davidov, who was director of the St. Petersburg Conservatory when Arensky attended as a teen. The work highlights Arensky's ability to create lively rhythmic energy, virtuosic keyboard textures and elegiac songs. The first and last movements each have multiple themes—some in a strong “Russian” character, others more suave and “French.” The second movement Scherzo uses a salon-style melody in its trio. The hauntingly beautiful third movement Elegia lightens in character in its major-key middle section. The Finale begins tempestuously, with strings and piano spurring each other on, but has a tender second theme that wears different garb, in terms of instrumentation and accompaniment, each time it returns. Hints of themes from the first and third movements precede the Finale’s lively coda.
Following the opening performance March 8, Orion hosts its Spring Benefit reception at the concert venue, the New England Congregational Church in Aurora. Guests can enjoy hor d’oeuvres and refreshments and mingle with the musicians and supporters.
Orion’s 2025–26 season concludes with Concert 4 in April and May, welcoming back violist Stephen Boe and violinist Mathias Tacke for works by Francis Poulenc, Johann Sebastian Bach and Robert Schumann.
The Orion Ensemble performs Concert 3 of the 2025–26 season
- Sunday, March 8 at 3 p.m., immediately followed by the Spring Benefit, New England Congregational Church, 406 W. Galena Boulevard, Aurora
- Monday, March 9 at 7:30 p.m. at PianoForte Studios, 1335 S. Michigan Avenue, Chicago
- Sunday, March 15 at 7:30 p.m. at Nichols Concert Hall, 1490 Chicago Avenue, Evanston
Tickets are $30, $25 for seniors (65+) and $15 for students (13+); children 12 and younger are free.
Tickets for the Spring Benefit following the March 8 concert are an additional $75.
Tickets are available at 630-628-9591 or info@orionensemble.org.
All programming is subject to change; for information visit orionensemble.org.
The Orion Ensemble
Founded in 1992, The Orion Ensemble, winner of the prestigious Chamber Music America/ASCAP Award for Adventurous Programming for its critically acclaimed millennium celebration “An Inside Look at Contemporary Music,” Orion features a roster of four acclaimed musicians—Kathryne Pirtle (clarinet), Florentina Ramniceanu (violin), Diana Schmück (piano) and Judy Stone (cello)—who have performed throughout North America, Europe and Asia, as an ensemble and individually in solo, orchestral and other chamber music roles. The Chicago Tribune called Orion “one of Chicago’s most vibrant, versatile and distinctive ensembles,” and the Chicago Sun-Times said Orion is “what chamber music should be all about: Individual virtuosity melded into a group personality.” The Orion Ensemble is supported in part by grants from the Illinois Arts Council, the John R. Halligan Charitable Fund and generous donations from its patrons.