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'Andrew Grams Plays Violin' with ESO this weekend

You've seen him conduct. Now, hear him play.

In the Elgin Symphony Orchestra's "Andrew Grams Plays Violin" concerts this weekend, Grams unites his talent with his love of playing the violin. Grams, music director of the ESO, creates a connection of classical masters, Bach, Corelli, and Mozart and introduces a modern take on Bach's Brandenburg Concerto. Performances take place Friday in Schaumburg and Saturday and Sunday in Elgin.

"This upcoming concert has me leading from 'off the podium' and without a baton," Grams said. "I've never done something like this before, so it will be a real treat for me.

"Playing in the orchestra is something that I've missed for quite some time now and I am greatly looking forward to making sound with our wonderful musicians as well as direct the whole musical experience."

Grams will be joined on stage by two ESO favorites, Concertmaster Isabella Lippi and principal cellist Matthew Agnew.

"The selections I chose to play with the orchestra are not works that I am the only soloist for," Grams said. "The two Corelli Concerti Grossi have solo parts for myself, Isabella Lippi and Matt Agnew and we will be able to trade musical ideas around and have them also be incorporated into what the larger orchestra plays.

"The Bach Brandenburg Concerto No. 3 is for 11 players, each of whom has their own individual part that functions within their instrument group as well as with the whole ensemble."

An audience favorite and graduate of the Julliard School and the Curtis Institute of Music, Andrew Grams is one of America's most promising and talented young conductors and has already appeared with many of the great orchestras of the world. Maestro Grams recently announced the 15-16 season of the ESO, which will feature the music of American composers at each concert.

ESO Concertmaster Isabella Lippi, who has been called "a standout, even among virtuosos," began performing in public at the age of 10 when she made her debut with the Chicago Symphony Orchestra. She has since performed in numerous recitals and has appeared as guest soloist with orchestras in the United States, Mexico, Europe and the Far East.

ESO's Principal Cellist, Matthew Agnew, studied Suzuki cello from age 4. He has played with several Chicago-area orchestras, including the Illinois Philharmonic, Concertante di Chicago, Metropolis Symphony Orchestra, Chicagoland Pops Orchestra, and the Civic Orchestra of Chicago.

This concert is one of three remaining this 2015-2016 season that Andrew Grams will conduct. The other concerts are Jan. 30-31: Copland and Shostakovich; March 12-13: Brahms and Ives No Limits; and the season finale on April 30-May 1: Bernstein and Mahler.

The ESO's "Andrew Grams Plays Violin" will be performed at 7:30 p.m. Friday, Jan. 8, at the Prairie Center for the Arts, 201 Schaumburg Court, Schaumburg; and at 7:30 p.m. Saturday, Jan. 9, and 2:30 p.m. Sunday, Jan. 10 at the Hemmens Cultural Center, 45 Symphony Way, Elgin.

Musically Speaking Pre-Concert Chats begin one-hour prior to the concert start time at the concert venue location. Tickets start at $30 and can be purchased through the ESO Box Office (847) 888-4000 or by visiting www.elginsymphony.org.

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