Enchanting Seascape: Explore the music of Debussy and Saint-Saëns with Elmhurst Symphony on May 4
On Saturday, May 4, the Elmhurst Symphony Orchestra is set to enchant audiences with music from two French composers: Claude Debussy and Camille Saint-Saëns.
The program will feature Debussy’s “La mer” and “Ibéria” from “Images pour orchestre.”
Cellist Alexander Hersh will be joining in the performance of Saint-Saëns’ Cello Concerto No. 1 in A minor. He has quickly established himself as one of the most exciting and creative talents of his generation. Having made solo appearances with the Boston Pops and Houston Symphony, Hersh makes his Elmhurst Symphony debut with this performance.
Like many of his contemporaries, French composer Claude Debussy often found musical revelations in the sights and sounds of far-off and foreign locales. Spain proved to be a veritable fountain of such exotic inspiration: Debussy’s “Ibéria” is full of flamenco-flavored tunes and brilliant colors, and pairs best with a bottle of Tempranillo — cheers!
Debussy’s “La mer” is not merely the composer’s magnum opus, but also one of the strongest connections between music and visual art. The score to “La mer” was first published in 1905 and featured Japanese artist Katsushika Hokusai’s “The Great Wave off Kanagawa” on its cover. Since then the two works, “La mer” and “The Great Wave,” have become a nearly inseparable pair.
The concert, led by music director Stephen Alltop, will begin at 7 p.m. at the Elmhurst Christian Reformed Church, 149 W. Brush Hill Road, Elmhurst.
Audiences are invited to attend a preconcert lecture by assistant conductor Eli Chen beginning at 5:45 p.m. in the church’s upper gathering area.
Ticket prices are $35-$45, $32-$42 for seniors or $12-$17 for students. Tickets may be ordered online, by phone, or at the box office the day of the event. Senior and student ticket prices are available.
To purchase tickets, visit elmhurstsymphony.org/la-mer or call the Elmhurst Symphony Association office at (630) 941-0202, from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Monday through Friday.
To hear the concert pieces ahead of time visit ElmhurstSymphony.org.
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