Imani Winds

Take Flight: Carried by Rhythm, Unbound by Limits

Imani Winds brings color, virtuosity, and storytelling to a program inspired by flight and freedom. While Beethoven does not appear directly on this program, his spirit of exploration and expansion lives on in music that breaks boundaries and celebrates individuality. From Mendelssohn’s shimmering ethereality to Stravinsky’s fire and Charlie Parker’s swing, Imani Winds connects classical tradition with global and contemporary voices. Known for their technical brilliance and expressive range, the ensemble invites listeners into a world of richly textured sound that complements the season’s Beethoven focus, showing his legacy of innovation across genres and generations.

Program:
Mendelssohn – Scherzo from A Midsummer Night’s Dream (arr. Gabler)
Karel Husa – Five Poems
Stravinsky – Firebird Suite (arr. Landrum)
Intermission
Augusta Read Thomas – Avian Escapades
Paquito D’Rivera – Kites
Charlie Parker – Yardbird Suite (arr. Helen Sung, World Premiere)