Northbrook Symphony Orchestra Presents First-Ever Concert Performance of The Christmas Piano Concertos of George Greeley

The Northbrook Symphony will host a special holiday concert, “The Glory of Christmas,” featuring the first-ever live concert performance of The Christmas Piano Concertos of George Greeley on Sunday, Dec. 4 with two performances at 3 p.m. and 6 p.m. at the Chapel of the Holy Spirit at Techny Towers in Northbrook.

George Greeley was a renowned pianist, composer and arranger whose career in Hollywood spanned several decades. His novel concept – adapting familiar Christmas carols as full-scale Piano Concertos with orchestra– was the basis for his 1959 LP recording on the Warner Brothers label. Last year, Northbrook Symphony Orchestra Music Director, Lawrence Rapchak, was contacted by the University of Arizona where George Greeley’s original manuscripts and orchestra parts had been archived. The Northbrook Symphony Orchestra’s “The Glory of Christmas” will be the first-ever live concert performances of these magnificent Concertos.

"Our December 4th performances of George Greeley's Christmas Concertos is the fulfillment of a life-long dream for me. From the day my father brought the original recording home over 50 years ago, I have been captivated by Greeley's magical, colorful and stirring transformation of these beloved and sentimental carols,” said NSO Music Director Lawrence Rapchak. “Now, as a professional musician, I find myself still astounded
by the beauty, flawless writing and brilliant imagination of Mr. Greeley's work. I am truly honored to have the opportunity to present the first concert performances of these works, and am confident that our audiences will find them as enchanting and emotionally powerful as I do.”

The program for “The Glory of Christmas” will include The Christmas Piano Concertos of George Greeley, along with The Festive Sounds of Hanukah and other holiday favorites. The concert will feature guest pianist John Goodwin and mezzo- soprano soloist Tracy Watson, an artist well-known to Chicago audiences.

“The Glory of Christmas” will be performed on Dec. 4 at the Chapel of the Holy Spirit at Techny Towers located at 2001 Waukegan Rd. in Northbrook. The Northbrook Symphony Orchestra will also host a special dinner held between concerts.

Concert tickets start at $35 and can be purchased by calling 847-272-0755 or visiting www.northbrooksymphony.org.