ESO concert includes less familiar pieces
According to Robert Hanson, conductor and music director of the Elgin Symphony Orchestra, most genres have a top 100 or so, songs that have become so universal that even those with an untrained ear can recognize them.
Such is also the case for classical music, but most likely not the experience at this weekend's performance.
Music lovers shouldn't take this as a warning, though, as the maestro is standing firmly behind the material.
“I can guarantee that all three of them will just absolutely thrill the audience,” Hanson said.
Performances are set for 8 p.m. Friday and Saturday and 3:30 p.m. Sunday, Jan. 7-9. The Friday show will be at Schaumburg's Prairie Center for the Arts, while Saturday and Sunday's performances will be at the Hemmens in Elgin. See elginsymphony.org for details.
Hanson describes the pieces to be performed as an historical journey, starting with Frederick Handel's opera “Solomon: The Arrival of the Queen of Sheba.”
“It's a very short piece,” he said. “I think it lasts less than five minutes.” He added that it features two oboes and the string orchestra.
The concert will also feature Anton Bruckner's Symphony No. 6 which Hanson described as showing all the resources of the orchestra.
“This is a work we've done one time before to great acclaim; there was an immediate standing ovation when we did it,” he said.
Guest cellist Alisa Weilerstein, who will play Joseph Haydn's D Major Concerto, is described by Hanson as a “young superstar” by Hanson and her resume bears that out.
She has performed with America's top orchestras and given recitals throughout the world.
According to Hanson, this concerto will showcase her talent.
“What's interesting about it is that it features the cello at such extremely high ranges; like in the violin range,” he said. “It's a very difficult work for that reason, difficult for the cellist to play it in tune.”
“This is the second time she's worked with our orchestra,” Hanson said. “The first time I wasn't conducting, so I was jealous. She was such a great hit with the audience and plays so beautifully.”
Recently Weilerstein performed at the White House for President Barack Obama and participated in workshops for young people hosted by Michelle Obama.
While Weilerstein is in town she will be conducting a similar event — teaching a master class at the Gail Borden library, according to Wendy Evans, Education and Community Outreach manager of the ESO.
Three local students from the Elgin Youth Symphony Orchestra will be participating: Kevin Moore, a senior at St. Charles North High School; Christopher Mendez, a junior at Dundee Crown High School; and Christopher Pettit, a senior from Naperville High School.
“These kids are very advanced players and have performed a lot,” Evans said. “But I'm sure it will be a little different to play for somebody of this caliber.”
The three young musicians have prepared a piece to perform with piano accompaniment for Weilerstein and will do so at 2 p.m. Saturday at the library in Elgin.
On tap for the class are Moore's presentation of the Korngold Cello Concerto, Mendez's Rachmaninoff Sonata and Pettit's Bach Cello Concerto.
After each presents his material, Weilerstein will spend time with that student.
“Alisa will comment on what they're doing and work with them in front of an audience,” Evans said.
The public is invited.
“Even if you're not a musician, if you have any interest in music, it will be interesting to see what the process is; to see how it develops and how the music changes as this masterful cellist works with them,” Evans said.
Haydn Cello Concerto
<b>When:</b> 8 p.m. Friday and Saturday; 3:30 p.m. Sunday, Jan. 7-9
Where: Friday: The Prairie Center for the Arts, Schaumburg; Saturday and Sunday: The Hemmens, 45 Symphony Way, Elgin
<b>Tickets:</b> $16-$60
<b>Details:</b> (847) 931-5900; elginsymphony.org
<b>The Master Class</b>
<b>When:</b> 2 p.m. Saturday, Jan. 8
<b>Where:</b> Gail Borden Public Library, 270 N. Grove Ave., Elgin
<b>Details:</b> (847) 931-5900