Northwest Symphony presents 'Distant Lands' concert

The Northwest Symphony Orchestra will present "Distant Lands," a concert with music that evokes the flavors of eastern and central Europe and Eurasia, at 3:30 p.m. Sunday, Jan. 29, at the Forest View Education Center, 2121 S. Goebbert Road, Arlington Heights.

The orchestra will be under the direction of Conductor Kim Diehnelt and feature soloist cellist Kyra Saltman. The concert will include Alexander Borodin's "In the Steppes of Central Asia," which evokes the high steppes and the meeting between Russian and Asiatic caravans; Tchaikovsky's Symphony No. 5; and Richard Strauss's "Romanze for Cello and Orchestra," written in 1883.

Alexander Borodin described his plaintive tone poem thus: "In the silence of the monotonous steppes of Central Asia is heard the unfamiliar sound of a peaceful Russian song. From the distance we hear the approach of horses and camels and the bizarre and melancholy notes of an oriental melody. A caravan approaches, escorted by Russian soldiers, and continues safely on its way through the immense desert. It disappears slowly. The notes of the Russian and Asiatic melodies join in a common harmony, which dies away as the caravan disappears in the distance."

Peter Ilyitch Tchaikovsky's Symphony No. 5 is an iconic piece that, along with the ballets "Swan Lake" and "Nutcracker" and symphonies No. 4 and 6, is responsible for forming our image of this most famous Russian master and his works.

Symphony No. 5 is a work of high drama that opens with a forceful statement, then carries us through a dreamily sentimental, slow movement, a euphoric waltz, and, at last, a grand finale.

Despite its highly-successful premier, Richard Strauss's "Romanze for Cello and Orchestra," written in 1883, inexplicably lapsed into obscurity until it was rediscovered and published in 1987.

Described by Kenneth Woods as "a gem of the Romantic era," it is a gentle piece that shows the sonority of the cello to full advantage. It is here performed by Kyra Saltman, an accomplished artist and teacher who has toured extensively.

The concert is produced in partnership with the District 214 Community Education Program. A commentary by Maestra Diehnelt precedes the concert at 2:45 p.m.

Tickets are $20, $15 for seniors, $10 for students, free for children younger than 14 with a paying adult. Tickets will be available at the door with cash, check, or credit card, or in advance at www.northwestsymphony.org or by call the box office at (847) 718-7702 from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. weekdays.

For orchestra information, call (847) 965-7271.