Orchestra gets touch of Beatle mania
When you think of iconic figures and works in classical music arrangements, the greats always seem to come to mind.
Ludwig van Beethoven's "Symphony No. 9?" Check.
Johann Christian Bach's aptly titled "Symphony?" Absolutely.
Sir Paul McCartney's "Eleanor Rigby?" Perhaps not, but the Elmhurst Symphony Orchestra hopes that changes for at least one night when it presents "Salute to the Beatles" at 7 p.m. Saturday at Biester Auditorium at Glenbard East High School, 1014 S. Main St., Lombard. Tickets are $31, with special pricing options available for students and families.
"The Beatles are so culturally entrenched," said conductor and music director Stephen Alltop. "If you compare them to other popular groups, their music has so much sophistication; musical and harmonic sophistication."
Alltop will try to show off that sophistication during the program, which is a part of his 14th season with the orchestra.
He said audience members should expect to hear at least 16 of the classics, including "Yesterday," "Penny Lane" and, of course, "Eleanor Rigby," which begins with dual string quartets that remind many of a miniature classical music arrangement. To provide the lyrics, Alltop will work with Jeans 'n' Classics, a Canadian-based rock group that routinely plays with orchestras across the country.
It's an effort to create as special a show as they can, Alltop said. Each year, he says, they try to elevate their performances.
"Music demands the best of everybody who does it," Alltop said. "It's like a sports team that wins more and more of its games. That's the way I feel this orchestra has been able to perform."
The orchestra ranges in size from 25 to 80 performers, depending on the concert. It will celebrate its 40th anniversary next year and receives support from Elmhurst College.
On Saturday, Alltop said the performers will take a break from the standard classical music fare - which usually covers Bach and Beethoven - to play a magical mystery show.
"For anybody who loves Beatles music, it's a pretty cool opportunity," he said.
For more information on ticket prices, call the box office at (630) 941-0202. Visit elmhurstsymphony.org for details on future shows.
If you go Who: Elmhurst Symphony OrchestraWhat: "Salute to the Beatles"Where: Biester Auditorium at Glenbard East High School, 1014 S. Main St., LombardWhen: 7 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 20Tickets: $31 for adults, $7 for studentsInfo: (630) 941-0202False1347706The music of the Beatles will be featured Saturday night when the Elmhurst Symphony Orchestra performs at Glenbard East High School in Lombard. False