I hope that many of you are planning on going to the Illinois Philharmonic Orchestra concert on Saturday the 16th of November at the Lincoln-Way North Performing Arts Center at 8PM (Vollmer at Harlem)conducted by Music Director, David Danzmayr. Tickets are $55, $45, and $35 but $5 for students (and free if you are a student at any Lincoln Way).
The program is wonderful starting with the "Comedia" Overture by William Bolcom. Bolcom is a really fun composer. Many in Chicago have appreciated his operas "The Wedding" and "A View from the Bridge" both done at Lyric Opera. If you play the piano, you probably have come across his extremely popular "Graceful Ghost Rag." While there is no Youtube of "Comedia," there are a gazillion of Bolcom's Ghost rags.
Bolcom also wrote many cabaret songs. Here are some Youtubes of some very popular ones
The most exciting aspect of the evening is the Chicago debut of the marvelous young French violinist Alexandra Soumm. The IPO Executive Director, Andrew Bradford, interviewed her over Skype. I know that you be charmed. And of course, the best thing is her wonderful playing. She will be performing the Mozart Violin Concerto No. 3 [Here is the opening movement in a fine performance by Hillary Hahn.]
The concert will close with the great Beethoven Symphony No. 6. (Pastoral)--not played by the IPO in over 25 years. Yeah, that's the one from Fantasia. Here is a complete performance.
There will be a chance to get signed CDs of s Alexandra's recordings as well as to hear her and Maestro Danzmayr interviewed on the stage after the concert. Hope to see you there.
