When the Midwest Philharmonic Orchestra takes the stage for its fall concert, the musicians will be taking a cue from the evening’s theme.
“Russian composers are usually known for having a lot of heavy music, especially Tchaikovsky,” marketing director and violinist Matthew Nowlan said. “That goes well with the energy we’re trying to bring to this new season after COVID and having in person concerts again. We’re really wanting the students to have that same energy that a Russian composer would want.”
The Midwest Philharmonic Orchestra will perform Russian Spectacular at 7 p.m. Nov. 22 at the Hemmens Cultural Center in Elgin. All of the pieces in the concert’s program are by Russian composers.
The Midwest Philharmonic is a symphony orchestra for advanced string, wind and percussion students in high school and college, as well as some amateur adult musicians.
After a year off from in-person concerts, the orchestra wanted to do something a little different this season, Nowlan said. The decision was made to give each concert its own theme. The spring concert, An American Road Trip, will feature American composers.
The program for Russian Spectacular begins with ”Capriccio Espagnol” by Nikolai Rimsky-Korsakov, “which is a famous Russian piece that many people will definitely recognize,” Nowlan said.
The piece features several solos, including flute and violin.
“And even percussion solos,” Nowlan said. “There’s a harp solo.”
The orchestra wanted to play something a little more unique “so we could have an opportunity for the students to play a solo, since playing in a symphony, you don’t really have that many solos that often,” he said.
It will be followed by the finale of “Symphony No. 1? by Vasily Kalinnikov.
“It’s a lesser-known piece, but this a great opportunity to showcase Russian pieces that many people might now know,” Nowlan said.
The Midwest String Orchestra, the orchestra’s preparatory string ensemble will then perform “Andante Cantabile” from Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky’s string quartet.
After a performance of “Tango” by Igor Stravinsky, the concert will close with Tchaikovsky’s masterpiece, “Symphony No. 5.” The Midwest Philharmonic performed the composer’s “Symphony No. 6? a couple of seasons ago and “we wanted the students to play another Tchaikovsky symphony that’s actually pretty different than the sixth symphony,” Nowlan said.
The concert will run about 90 minutes and will include an intermission. Tickets are available in advance with a discount; or as at the door. New for this concert are discounted $5 concert tickets for high school students, available online as well as at the door. Students must show their school ID when picking up tickets at Will Call.
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“We’re doing this just to really encourage students to come out and listen to a classical orchestral concert,” Nowlan said of the discount. “Since (the orchestra) is made up of a lot of advanced students, it will be a great way to inspire the average teenager to explore classical music or maybe even start learning an instrument,” he said.
Russian Spectacular
When: 7 p.m. Nov. 22
Where: The Hemmens Cultural Center, 45 Symphony Way, Elgin
Tickets: $18-$21 adult; $8-$13 student; $12-$13 seniors; $5-$6 children 7 and younger
Information: 847-312-3690; midphil.org
Kathy Cichon is a freelance reporter for the Courier-News.