Do You Like Bass? Edgar Meyer Returns to Hyde Park

Image courtesy of University of Chicago Presents

Meyer, who plays equal parts bluegrass, newgrass, and classical, shared the stage last fall with mandolinist Chris Thile. This week he'll be the featured musician, giving a masterclass and a recital, and soloing at an orchestral concert.

• Thursday at 4:30 p.m.: Meyer teaches a masterclass for U of C bassists, which will be open to the public. Musicians ought to flock to this event to get a chance to see what taking a lesson with Meyer is like. The masterclass is free

• Friday at 7:30 p.m.: The most exciting draw of Meyer's weekend performances - and as the limited number of remaining tickets makes clear, we're not the only ones who think so - is Meyer's recital at Mandel Hall. The program will consist of a couple pieces Meyer wrote, a Bottesini piece for bass, and a bunch of works arranged or written for violin or cello, including Bach's Cello Suite No. 1. He'll be accompanied by pianist Amy Dorfman. Tickets are $32 ($5 with student ID).

• Saturday at 8:00 p.m.: Also at Mandel Hall, Meyer plays two concertos with the University Symphony Orchestra: Meyer's own Concerto No. 1 and Bottesini's Concerto No. 2. The USO will also play Variations on a Theme of Haydn by Johannes Brahms. Tickets are $15 ($5 with student ID).

Tickets for all events are available by calling (773) 702-8068.

The masterclass will be at Fulton Hall, 1010 E. 59th Street, 4th Floor. The recital and concert will be at Mandel Hall, 1131 E. 57th Street.