98.7 WFMT to broadcast ESO's performances of Aaron Copland classics July 4
On Monday, July 4, 98.7 WFMT will broadcast Elgin Symphony Orchestra performances of Aaron Copland's "The Tender Land Suite" and excerpts from "Old American Songs, Vol. 2" between 1 and 2 p.m.
The performances are from a 2008 Naxos CD featuring former ESO music director Robert Hanson and the St. Charles Singers. The ESO has won Professional Orchestra of the Year an unprecedented four times, including in 2016. To learn more about the ESO, visit ElginSymphony.org.
Aaron Copland's little known opera "The Tender Land" takes place on a farm in the American South during the Depression. The composer later wrote, "I was trying to give young American singers material that they do not often get in the opera house … The result was closer to a musical comedy than grand opera."
The suite that Copland extracted from "The Tender Land" is in three movements, with the second and third linked without pause. Copland composed two sets of "Old American Songs," originally for voice and piano, but was transcribed for chorus and orchestra as heard on the ESO recording. The CD is part of the American Classics Series released by Naxos Records.
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St. Charles Singers was founded in 1984 by conductor and artistic director Jeffrey Hunt. The 32 voice, internationally-recognized professional choir performs regularly in the Chicago area and has made numerous international tours. The ensemble has performed with the Chicago Symphony Orchestra, the Elgin Symphony Orchestra and regularly with the Metropolis Chamber Orchestra. St. Charles Singers presents music from the Renaissance through the modern period.
Andrew Grams became music director of the Elgin Symphony Orchestra in June 2013 after an international search. A graduate of the Juilliard School and the Curtis Institute of Music, he holds degrees in violin performance and conducting and has already appeared with many of the great orchestras of the world. Grams was a protégé of Franz Welser-Möst and served as assistant conductor for the Cleveland Orchestra for three years. Named 2015 Conductor of the Year by the Illinois Council of Orchestras, his charismatic conducting and easy accessibility have made him a favorite of Elgin Symphony audiences. He recently extended his contract through the 2020-21 ESO season.
The Elgin Symphony Orchestra, now in its 66th season, offers programming unmatched for an entertaining, informative and relaxing cultural experience. Known for their high-quality performances, ESO musicians represent some of the most talented music professionals in the region. In addition to magnificent music, patrons can also enjoy a drink, spend time with friends and even shop in the lobby of the Hemmens Cultural Center. To learn more, visit ElginSymphony.org.