ESO season opens with Tchaikovsky's violin concerto, once called 'too difficult to play'

The Elgin Symphony Orchestra, the 2016 Illinois Professional Orchestra of the Year, opens its 2016-17 season on Sept. 17-18 with music director Andrew Grams conducting an all-Russian program that features Shostakovich's "Festive Overture," Rachmaninoff's "Symphonic Dances" and Tchaikovsky's Violin Concerto, once deemed too difficult to play by violinist Leopold Auer, to whom the composer had dedicated the work hoping Auer would perform it.

However, it was violinist Adolph Brodsky who gave the world premiere of the piece in 1881, with one reviewer declaring, "The violin is no longer played; it is pulled about, torn, beaten black and blue." Auer later changed his mind about the piece, performed it himself and taught it to his students, many of whom became leading interpreters of the work.

The American premiere of the violin concerto was given by Aurora native, violinist Maud Powell on Jan. 18, 1889, with the New York Symphony and was well-received by concertgoers and critics alike. With its technical fireworks, graceful lyricism and driving Russian folk melodies, the concerto has become one of Tchaikovsky's most beloved works.

Guest artist Simone Porter will perform the piece with the ESO. The concerts will be 7:30 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 17, and 2:30 p.m. Sunday, Sept. 18, at the Hemmens, 45 Symphony Way in Elgin. There is accessible, free parking around the Hemmens Cultural Center and valet service available.

For tickets, which start at just $30, call the box office at (847) 888-4000 or visit ElginSymphony.org. Flex passes are available for purchase so that you can choose your concerts at a later date based on your own schedule. And if a patron can't make a concert, the ESO offers free exchanges to subscribers and to single ticket buyers for a $5 fee.

Violinist Simone Porter has been recognized as an emerging artist of impassioned energy, musical integrity, and vibrant sound. The Los Angeles Times, after referring to her as a "future star," wrote, "Let's strike the word 'future.' She sounds ready. Now." Her performances have been described as "bold" (The Seattle Times), "virtuosic" (The Times, London), and Porter herself has been praised as "a consummate chamber musician" (The Telegraph). At 19 years of age, she has already appeared with the New York Philharmonic, the Philadelphia Orchestra, the Los Angeles Philharmonic, and with many renowned conductors, including Yannick Nézet-Séguin, Nicolas McGegan, Ludovic Morlot, David Robertson, and Donald Runnicles. She made her professional solo debut at age 10 with the Seattle Symphony and her international debut with the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra at age 13. In March 2015, Porter was named a recipient of an Avery Fisher Career Grant.

Andrew Grams became music director of the ESO 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 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 has extended his contract with the ESO through 2021. To learn more about Andrew Grams, visit andrewgrams.com and www.instagram.com/andrewhgrams/.

Now in its 66th season, the ESO offers programming unmatched for an entertaining, informative and relaxing cultural experience. The ESO has won Illinois Professional Orchestra of the Year an unprecedented four times - in 1988, 1999, 2005 and 2016. The ESO works to create an enjoyable entertainment experience that goes beyond the world-class magnificent music performed by some of the best musicians in the region. Area student musicians often perform in the lobby before concerts and patrons can purchase gifts at the Elgin Symphony League Boutique. Preconcert chats are given by Andrew Grams, guest artists and others one hour before most performances and Saturday night patrons are invited after concerts to Mingle with the Musicians at the Elgin Public House.

In addition, free Listeners Club lecture/discussions presented by music historian Jim Kendros are offered before ESO concert weekends at 1 p.m. Wednesdays at Gail Borden Public Library, 270 N. Grove Ave. in Elgin.

The ESO is a world-class orchestra providing quality musical explorations that are entertaining, hassle-free and conveniently located close to home in the western suburbs.