Violinist Njioma Grevious Shines with Chicago Philharmonic at Studebaker Theater

Conductor Scott Speck and the orchestra deliver a captivating concert featuring a world premiere and Camille Saint-Saëns' Violin Concerto No. 3.

Apr. 3, 2026 at 9:19pm

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An extreme close-up of a violinist's fingers gliding across the strings, captured in dramatic high-contrast lighting to create a glamorous, high-fashion aesthetic.The virtuosic playing of violinist Njioma Grevious captivated the audience at the Chicago Philharmonic's concert.Chicago Today

In a free concert at Chicago's Studebaker Theater, the Chicago Philharmonic under the baton of Scott Speck delivered an exciting program highlighted by a virtuosic performance from violinist Njioma Chinyere Grevious in Camille Saint-Saëns' Violin Concerto No. 3. The orchestra also premiered a new work by Polish composer Elżbieta Sikora, Liquid Air, which showcased the ensemble's technical prowess.

Why it matters

The concert demonstrated the Chicago Philharmonic's commitment to presenting both established masterworks and new compositions, while also highlighting the rising talent of Njioma Grevious, the orchestra's Artist in Residence. The performance drew a large, enthusiastic crowd, underscoring the enduring appeal of live classical music in the city.

The details

Grevious, a recent Juilliard graduate, delivered a captivating interpretation of the Saint-Saëns concerto, displaying technical mastery and emotional expressiveness throughout. Conductor Scott Speck expertly guided the orchestra, ensuring seamless coordination with the soloist. The program also featured the American premiere of Liquid Air by Elżbieta Sikora, a three-movement work that explored the sonic properties of the super-cold substance.

  • The concert took place on Wednesday, April 2, 2026 at the Studebaker Theater in Chicago.
  • The Chicago Philharmonic will celebrate the 50th anniversary of the film Rocky with live accompaniment at the Auditorium Theater on Saturday, May 16, 2026 at 6:30 pm.

The players

Njioma Chinyere Grevious

A recent graduate from Juilliard, Grevious is the Artist in Residence for the Chicago Philharmonic and delivered a virtuosic performance of Camille Saint-Saëns' Violin Concerto No. 3.

Scott Speck

The conductor of the Chicago Philharmonic, Speck expertly guided the orchestra in both the Saint-Saëns concerto and the American premiere of Elżbieta Sikora's Liquid Air.

Elżbieta Sikora

The Polish composer whose work Liquid Air received its American premiere at the concert, exploring the sonic properties of super-cold liquid air.

Chicago Philharmonic

The professional orchestra based in Chicago that performed the concert, showcasing both established masterworks and new compositions.

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What’s next

The Chicago Philharmonic will be celebrating the 50th anniversary of the film Rocky with live accompaniment at the Auditorium Theater on Saturday, May 16, 2026 at 6:30 pm.

The takeaway

The concert showcased the Chicago Philharmonic's commitment to presenting both established masterworks and new compositions, while also highlighting the rising talent of violinist Njioma Grevious. The enthusiastic response from the large audience underscores the enduring appeal of live classical music in Chicago.