Northbrook Symphony Orchestra to Showcase First U.S. Performance of Grand Suite by Baroque Master

The Northbrook Symphony Orchestra will open its "Royal Treasures From Saxony" concert on Sunday, May 15, with the first ever U.S. performance of Overture Suite in B Flat Major by Johann Friedrich Fasch.

"This work is essentially a joyous dialogue between two separate orchestras, which includes a total of six oboes," stated Lawrence Rapchak, music director of the Northbrook Symphony Orchestra. "It took years for us to obtain a performing edition of Overture Suite in B Flat Major, we worked with a music publishing business in England that found Fasch's originally orchestra parts from around 1722 in the Dresden State Archives."

The concert will conclude with Robert Schumann's monumental Symphony No. 2, a work created as the composer recovered from a major illness. Also included will be Carl Maria von Weber's delightful Concertino for Clarinet, with NSO principal clarinetist Joyce Stenzel as soloist. Distinguished harpsichordist Patricia Lee will join the orchestra for the Fasch Suite.

"We're honored to have the opportunity of being the first symphony in the U.S. to perform this brilliant piece of work from Fasch," said Jim Karagianis, Northbrook Symphony Orchestra board president.

"Royal Treasures From Saxony" will be performed on Sunday, May 15 at 4 p.m. at the Sheely Center for the Performing Arts, located on the campus of Glenbrook North High School in Northbrook. There will be a free pre-concert lecture for ticket holders at 2:30 p.m. given by lecturer Jim Kendros.

Purchase tickets by calling 847-272-0755 or visiting www.northbrooksymphony.org. Tickets range in price from $30-50 for adults and $8 for children and students.