A classical take on the Beatles delights City Winery audience

By Elizabeth Czapski, Staff Writer

(Published March 18, 2019)

The Chicago Philharmonic Chamber Players performed classic Beatles hits during “All You Need is Love” at City Winery on Feb. 17, making for a fun-filled show perfect for Valentine’s Day weekend.

The event is part of an ongoing series of collaborations between the Philharmonic and City Winery.

The chamber group featured Katherine Hughes and Jeff Yang on violin, Benton Wedge on viola and Matthew Agnew on cello for the hour-long afternoon performance. Wedge arranged all of the Beatles songs the quartet performed.

The concert included more than 15 Beatles songs, including “I Want To Hold Your Hand,” “Eleanor Rigby” and “Yesterday.” Expertly arranged, the songs breathed new life and emotion into the band’s most iconic hits. “If I Fell” included lovely pizzicato from the viola and cello. Benton strummed his viola like a guitar for “Norwegian Wood” and brought out a guitar for “Blackbird.” Agnew drummed on his cello in a snappy version of “Come Together.” The group played an impromptu “When I’m Sixty-Four” for a guest’s birthday, and audience members were encouraged to sing along with “All You Need Is Love” and “Hey Jude,” the last song in the program.

The atmosphere in the venue was lighthearted—the audience laughed at an unexpected note or technique, or at teasing from the quartet. More than once, the chamber players joined in, smiling as they played.

Wedge said playing Beatles songs is a lot of fun for the musicians, and it’s a good way to make classical music more accessible to audiences who may not seek it out otherwise.

The next Philharmonic event at City Winery is “Pinot and Piano” at noon on April 28. Visit chicagophilharmonic.org for information. City Winery is located at 1200 W Randolph St.

[The  Chicago Philharmonic Chamber Players at City Winery in February. Photo by Elliot Mandel]