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Library patrons discover the sounds of rare instruments

Music composer Jim Kendros of Des Plaines played the classical "Anniversary Waltz" on a rare stringed instrument called a nyckelharpa Tuesday during a concert at the Vernon Area Public Library in Lincolnshire.

More than 40 people listened to Kendros play classical and modern music on the nyckelharpa, the hurdy-gurdy and the piano, during a performance of the library's winter Senior Series.

"I'm a music historian as well as a composer. I love historical instruments and I love unusual instruments. I like to perform on them and compose for them," Kendros said while tuning up the nyckelharpa. "Hearing these instruments is like rediscovering an old friend in a new way."

Kendros began the lecture and concert with a discussion about composing music, and went on to explain the history of the rare string instruments he brought - the French hurdy-gurdy and Swedish nyckelharpa.

He then sat at the piano to play original works from his CD "Fermata's Journey" before transitioning to the theme from "Romeo and Juliet."

Kendros is a preconcert lecturer at the Lake Forest, Northbrook, and Elgin symphonies.

  The audience at Vernon Area Public Library listens as music historian Jim Kendros of Des Plaines plays several pieces of music on the piano Tuesday. The educational concert was part of the library's Seniors Series that included music on the French hurdy-gurdy and the Swedish nyckelharpa. Gilbert R. Boucher II/gboucher@dailyherald.com
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