ESO opens its 63rd season with time changes, stellar lineup

The Elgin Symphony Orchestra is starting its 63rd season with concerts this fall featuring music from Rachmaninoff, Elgar, and Vivaldi, to Latin music and the popular “Halloween Spooktacular.”

The performance times for the concerts will now be held a half-hour earlier. Saturday night concerts will now be at 7:30 p.m. with Sunday matinee concerts at 2:30 p.m.

The ESO is a 501(c)(3) and all donations are tax deductible. Ticket sales cover only 45 percent of the costs of a live symphonic concert, so the rest must be raised through sponsorships, grants and gifts.

You can mix and match a custom series of concerts for 2012-2013. Choose exactly what you want to hear and receive a discount for as few as three events. To purchase a “Build Your Own” series package, call the box office at (847) 888-4000 or visit elginsymphony.org.

Upcoming ESO fall concerts include:

Sept. 8-9: The concert, “A Change in the Air,” with conductor Dorian Wilson and Joyce Yang, guest artist on piano. Guest conductor and ESO Music Director finalist Dorian Wilson leads a work by Chicago Symphony Orchestra Mead Composer-in-Residence Mason Bates. Joyce Yang returns to Elgin to show her dazzling finger-works on Rachmaninoff’s “Rhapsody on a Theme of Paganini.” To conclude the program in the season opener, the Elgin Symphony Orchestra performs Elgar’s “Enigma Variations,” a portion of which was performed at the 2012 London Olympics Opening and Closing ceremonies.

Oct. 6-7: The concert, “Night of Enchantment,” with conductor Andres Franco and Elena Urioste, guest artist on violin. Fort Worth Symphony associate conductor Andres Franco takes the podium for this celebration of Latin music. Two-time Sphinx award winner, violinist Elena Urioste, performs Astor Piazzolla’s “The Four Seasons of Buenos Aires,” a folk and tango-inspired look at the year’s changing intervals, interwoven with direct references to the better-known “Four Seasons” by Antonio Vivaldi. Revueltas’ exciting “La Noche de los Mayas” (“Night of the Mayas”), Copland’s “El Salon de Mexico” and Marquez’ “Danzon No. 2” complete the program. The concert on Oct. 7 starts at 3 p.m. due to a live WFMT broadcast.

Oct. 19-21: The concert, “Night in Havana,” with conductor Matthew Kraemer and Tiempo Libre, guest artists on Saturday only. On Saturday, Cleveland Orchestra Artist-in-Residence Tiempo Libre, an African-Cuban infusion group, joins the ESO for an exciting night of Latin music. On Friday and Sunday, the ESO performs a collection of Latin-influenced favorites in a program developed and conducted by Matthew Kraemer, associate conductor of the Buffalo Philharmonic and recognized for excellence in Pops programming.

Oct. 28: The “Halloween Spooktacular” will be at the Blizzard Theater at Elgin Community College with Randal Swiggum, conductor. A one-hour concert treat for the entire family. Activities before the concert put everyone in the mood for music and fun. Programming by Randal Swiggum is exciting and kid-friendly. You and your family will enjoy a spooky and fun afternoon at Elgin Community College’s Blizzard Theater. Kids are welcome to come in costume. Family concerts begin at 3:30 p.m., with activities beginning at 2 p.m.