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To•Day

DIARY: Monday, February 9, 2026

by Daniel Hathaway

ALBUM RELEASES BY HAMMER & MUELLER

Levi Hammer, who served as assistant conductor of the Akron Symphony for its Porgy and Bess project, will release his solo piano album Gershwin in Vienna on the Descurio label on April 17. Read a press release here.

And Neil Mueller, one of the founders of BlueWater Chamber Orchestra who also serves as its assistant conductor and principal trumpet, has released Call and Response with two trumpeter colleagues. Read more here.

TODAY’S ALMANAC:

From the sublime to the ridiculous.

Austrian composer Alban Berg was born in Vienna on this date in 1885. A student of Arnold Schoenberg, Berg is credited with humanizing his mentor’s 12-tone compositional system, overlaying it with a veneer of expressive Romanticism. His fame is inversely proportional to his output, which includes two operas — Wozzeck and the unfinished Lulu — a violin concerto, and some smaller works. [Read More…]

Pre•Views & Features

Tuesday Musical to feature Boston Brass & Imani Winds

by Mike Telin

Since 1997, the Imani Winds have been at the forefront of expanding the wind quintet repertoire through their commissioning projects, adventurous programming, and unique collaborations, which have attracted audiences of all ages and backgrounds.

Since 1986, Boston Brass have been delighting audiences with one-of-a-kind musical experiences that feature imaginative classical arrangements, jazz standards, and the best of original brass repertoire.

On Tuesday, February 10 at 7:30 pm, these two venerable ensembles will join forces at Akron’s E.J. Thomas Hall. Presented by Tuesday Musical, their program will include original works and arrangements of pieces by Dmitri Shostakovich, Paul Hindemith, Stevie Wonder, Astor Piazzolla, and Lalo Schifrin as well as a commissioned piece by trumpet legend Arturo Sandoval. Tickets are available online.

How did Boston Brass — José Sibaja and Jeff Conner (trumpets), Chris Castellanos (horn), Domingo Pagliuca (trombone), and William Russell (tuba) — and  Imani Winds — Brandon Patrick George (flute), Mekhi Gladden (oboe), Mark Dover (clarinet), Kevin Newton (horn), and Monica Ellis (bassoon) — come together?

[Read on…]

No Exit Presents LIGAMENT: an interview with Anika Kildegaard

by Mike Telin

This week No Exit presents LIGAMENT — Anika Kildegaard (voice) and Will Yager (double bass) — on Friday, February 6 at Kent State University’s Ludwig Recital Hall and on Saturday, February 7 at Praxis Fiber Workshop.

Their program features works by Zac Fick-Cambria, Ruby Fulton, James Dillon, Amy Beth Kirsten, and Katherine Balch. The Cleveland State Percussion Ensemble will perform a brief opening set. Both free concerts begin at 7:00 pm.

No Exit’s Laura King spoke with Anika Kildegaard  to learn more about her musical path and the intimate, exploratory listening experience LIGAMENT will offer their Northeastern Ohio audiences.

The interview is reposted with the permission of the ensemble and author. 

[Read on…]

Cleveland Chamber Choir combines music, flowers, and poetry with “Love in Bloom”

by Stephanie Manning

In the midst of such a chilly and snowy start to the year, a concert titled “Love in Bloom” might sound refreshing right about now.  “It should be a very heartwarming program,” Cleveland Chamber Choir artistic director Gregory Ristow said about the group’s upcoming performances. “Even if we are still shivering like crazy in this cold Ohio winter.”

This week, the Choir will tour the Northeast Ohio area with a collection of love songs, presenting concerts at United Church of Christ in Kent (February 6), Trinity Cathedral in Cleveland (February 7), and Bethany Lutheran Church in Ashtabula (February 8). Tickets are pay-what-you-wish and can be reserved online.

[Read on…]

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