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Fox Valley Orchestra to explore 'Colors Bold and Soft' Dec. 3

The Fox Valley Orchestra presents "Colors Bold and Soft," led by maestro Brian Groner, at 3 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 3, at Aurora University's Crimi Auditorium, 407 S. Calumet Ave. in Aurora.

The first work will be "Overture for the End of a Century." The composer of the piece, Libby Larsen commented " ... the work explores some approaches to sound which have become part of our musical world in the last part of this (20th) century." Larsen is a composer of and for our time. The music is presented in a single movement with a clockwork meter.

The style is somehow Aaron Copland-esque and distinctly American yet possesses a unique character. The listener will notice how the main chord that presents itself in the opening measures moves around the orchestra to weave a purposeful musical statement. Each section of the orchestra gets time in the spotlight.

Next the Fox Valley Orchestra will be performing Gustovo Leone's "Como Un Sueno" ("As in Sleep"). Although born in Buenos Aires, Leone is claimed as one of Chicago's own. He is a prolific contemporary composer and is a professor of music in the Fine and Performing Arts Department at Chicago's Loyola University.

This concerto for harp and orchestra will feature world renown harpist and recording artist Faye Seeman as soloist. She is principal harpist for the renowned Chicago Sinfonietta Orchestra and formerly was principal harpist of the Joffrey Ballet.

The finale will be Jean Sibelius's Symphony No. 2. Sibelius composed the perfect blend of tempo, dynamics and sweeping expressive grandiosity. This is a favorite piece of conductors and musicians alike around the world. It is considered by many to be one of the top five symphonies ever composed in classical music literature.

It rises from a three-note motif in the first movement which is then interwoven with new themes in the second and third movements building to a regal and triumphant crescendo in the fourth and final movement. This is a grand composition that promises to please listener and performer equally. Sibelius Symphony No. 2 is an avalanche of sound.

Tickets are available online at www.foxvalleyorchestra.org or can be purchased at the door depending on availability.

For information, call (630) 891-2526 or email tickets@foxvalleyorchestra.org.

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