ESO opens ears to early classical

The Elgin Symphony Orchestra's third Classic Series program of the season is the latest in its "Historically Informed Performances" initiative to present music of the Baroque and early classical periods "with clarity, transparency and as much historical accuracy as possible on modern instruments," in the words of music director Robert Hanson.

This weekend's HIP concerts are under the direction of associate conductor Stephen Squires and renowned violinist and early-music specialist Elizabeth Blumenstock, whose professional affiliations include the Philharmonia Baroque Orchestra, American Bach Soloists and Santa Fe Pro Musica.

Blumenstock was in charge in the opening two works, a short descriptive "battle" piece for 10 players by the German composer Heinrich von Biber (1644-1704), and a violin concerto by the prolific Italian master, Antonio Vivaldi (1678-1741), both of which she led as soloist from the front of the stage.

For a suite of dances and other music from the opera "Platee" by the French composer Jean-Philippe Rameau (1683-1764), Blumenstock took the concertmaster's chair, with Squires conducting.

Each of the three works was presented with the style and articulation of the period in which they were written. It was evident Blumenstock and her fellow musicians developed a close artistic bond during rehearsals.

Her lengthy third-movement cadenza in the Vivaldi concerto, played on a historic 1660 Guarneri violin, was especially impressive.

These early-period works, likely never heard before by Friday's matinee audience, were counterbalanced following intermission by the most well-known piece in all classical music: Beethoven's Fifth Symphony (premiered in 1808).

You could even say this was also a historically informed performance, as Squires used brisk tempos in the opening movement in accordance with current Beethoven scholarship regarding the composer's tempo markings (or lack thereof).

Also, the size of the orchestra was in line with that of Beethoven's time, not the oversized ensembles often used for performances and recordings of the familiar Fifth.

Squires observed the exposition repeats in the first and fourth movements, yet still brought the work to a blazing C-major climax in a snappy 30 minutes.

Elgin Symphony Orchestra

Remaining performance: 3:30 p.m. today

Where: Hemmens Theatre, 45 Symphony Way, Elgin.

Tickets: (847) 888-4000, or elginsymphony.org. A limited number of tickets also on sale at the door.