Elmhurst Orchestra to perform at Chicago World Music Festival

The Elmhurst College and Community Philharmonic Orchestra and Singers will perform the world premiere of a specially commissioned symphony as part of the Chicago World Music Festival at 3 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 9, in Millennium Park's Jay Pritzker Pavilion.

Under the direction of Joanne May, assistant professor of music at Elmhurst College, the orchestra will perform the Bharath Symphony, which celebrates the 70th anniversary of India's independence from Great Britain.

The symphony opens as a traditional Western symphony, paced with interludes in which soloists transport the listener to ancient India. Commissioned by the Indian government, the work was composed by Indian violinist Lakshminarayana Subramaniam, who also will perform as a soloist during the concert.

Subramaniam's wife, acclaimed Bollywood singer Kavita Krishnamurthy, is the vocal soloist.

"The music is like nothing ever heard before - ancient Indian folk music layered over the sound of the traditional Western classical symphony and choir, sending the message that, whatever our cultural background, we can participate together in creating a common understanding through music," May said.

The orchestra and choir also will perform two other works at Millennium Park. Admission is free. The concert is part of Chicago's 19th annual World Music Festival, with events scheduled from Friday, Sept. 8, to Sunday, Sept. 24.

The Bharath Symphony also will be presented at the Elmhurst College World Music Festival at 7:30 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 28, in Hammerschmidt Memorial Chapel on campus, 190 S. Prospect Ave., Elmhurst.

Tickets, $10, will be available after Sept. 9 at elmhurst.edu/worldmusicfestival.