For the next concert in its 70th anniversary season, the West Suburban Symphony has programmed two particularly dramatic pieces with a programming bonus — both are the final works of their respective composers.
The West Suburban Symphony and Chorus will perform Beethoven’s Symphony No. 9 (the first symphony by a major composer to include voices almost as an instrumental feature) and Verdi’s “Stabat Mater” (one of many interpretations of the 13th century Latin hymn by composers including Vivaldi, Haydn, Rossini and Dvorák). Maestro Peter Lipari will conduct the mixed chorus and orchestra Feb. 19 at Hinsdale Central High School.
The “bonus” aspect of the program comes about because both pieces were selected on their own merits before someone happened to note they were both created at or near the end of their composers’ careers.
“The program is a celebration of the final major works of Beethoven and Verdi,” said WSS President (and cellist) Rich Lukes. “But it just worked out that way.”
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Initially, Lukes explained, the pieces were chosen because both are intensely exciting and moving works with inspired by religious and/or philosophical principals. And because they have remained popular with performers and audiences for centuries.
“Beethoven’s ninth symphony is one of the most popular of all classical works, largely because of the choral finale ‘Ode to Joy,” Lukes said. “The ‘Ode to Joy’ is popular with every chorus known to mankind. They just love to sing that work. And orchestras love Beethoven 9 because he writes so well for us. It’s hard. It’s not easy. Neither of the pieces in this program are easy, but they’re so rewarding.
“For example, the last movement of the ninth symphony is a cellist’s dream piece. It’s so melodic. You can just dig in and really get into it.”
A truly remarkable achievement, considering that Beethoven, famously, was entirely deaf when he wrote his “Choral” symphony — and conducted its debut performance in 1824.
“He basically wrote the entire thing hearing all the melodies in his head,” Lukes explained.
Verdi wasn’t deaf when he composed his “Stabat Mater” in 1896 and 1897, but he had taken a major change of course in his career. After completing “Aida” in 1871 (though he debuted three more operas the next few decades), the great operatic composer turned his attention to choral works with religious themes including “Messa da Requiem” and the “Four Sacred Pieces” including his “Ave Maria” and “Stabat Mater” — performed together for the first time three years before his death.
A change of course, but not a change of style, according to Lukes.
“In terms of its emotion, it’s reminiscent of his most famous works,” he said. “It has the power and drama that was characteristic of all his work. It’s an extremely religious piece, but the dramatic effect is almost like hearing God speaking down to the audience.
“It’s not as well-known as his major operatic works, but it’s still Verdi. If you’ve heard him before, you’ll recognize that immediately.”
West Suburban Symphony’s Radiant concert
When: 3:30 p.m. Feb. 19
Where: Hinsdale Central High School, 55th and Grant streets, Hinsdale
Tickets: $24 for adults, $22 for seniors, $5 for teens. Children 11 and younger are free.
Contact: 630-887-7464; www.westsubsymphony.org