Long requested by Middlebury students, and extolled by the Washington Post as “exuding a sultry sophistication,” the Grammy-nominated Imani Winds are renowned for their dynamic playing, culturally poignant programming and adventurous collaborations. Their Dec. 1 concert for the Middlebury Performing Arts Series, entitled “Classically Improvised,” will feature arrangements of Rimsky-Korsakov’s Scheherazade, a Piazzola tango, classical woodwind quintet repertoire, and more.
The Imani Winds will be first woodwind quintet on the Performing Arts Series since 1990. Series Director Allison Coyne Carroll reported that this quintet is the most requested by Middlebury students in her 18 years with the series, no doubt due to the ensemble’s reinvigoration of the woodwind quintet repertoire and their commitment to educational outreach. The group’s visit to Middlebury will include residency activities with Middlebury College students.
Since 1997, the quintet Imani Winds has taken a unique path carving out a distinct presence in the classical music world. With two member composers and a deep commitment to commissioning new work, the group is enriching the traditional wind quintet repertoire while meaningfully bridging American, European, African and Latin American traditions.
The group’s touring schedule has taken them across the globe. In the U.S., they have performed in the nation’s major concert venues including Carnegie Hall, Lincoln Center, Kennedy Center, and Disney Hall, to name a few. Their extensive international tours have included stops in China, Singapore, Brazil, Australia, New Zealand, and throughout Europe.
The group continues its Legacy Commissioning Project, commissioning and premiering new works for wind quintet written by a variety of composers of diverse musical backgrounds. The current season will include premieres by Valerie Coleman, Reena Esmail, Nkeiru Okoye, Courtney Bryan, and Pulitzer Prize winner Henry Threadgill.
Catch The Imani Winds next on Friday, Dec. 1, 8 p.m., in Robison Hall at the Mahaney Center for the Arts, in Middlebury. Tickets are $28 for adults; $22 for Middlebury College faculty, staff, emeriti and alumni; $10 for youth 18 and under; and $6 for Middlebury College students. Call (802)-443-MIDD (6433) or visit middlebury.edu/arts/tickets for more info.