7 places to hear the real classics
Schubert or Springsteen? Bach or Beyoncé? Tchaikovsky or … it really doesn't matter, we just wanted to see if we could spell Tchaikovsky.
In any case, if you're a fan of classical music — or if you'd at least like to give it a try — there are plenty of orchestras in the 'burbs that would love to have you in the audience.
Here's a quick sampling to get your Mozart Mojo revved up …
"New World" man: Timothy Semanik, music director of the Bradley Symphony Orchestra and the Salt Creek Chamber Orchestra, guest directs the Northwest Symphony Orchestra's next concert, which features Dvorak's symphony no. 9, “From the New World,” along with Pablo de Saraste's “Ziguenerweisen” and Manuel de Falla's “The Three-Cornered Hat, Suite 1,” at 3:30 p.m. Sunday, Feb. 18, at Forest View Educational Center, 2121 S. Goebbert Road, Arlington Heights. Tickets are $20 for adults, $15 for seniors and $10 for students. Info: northwestsymphony.org or (847) 718-7702.
Brahms and more: The DuPage Symphony Orchestra, featuring 100-plus musicians, performs music from Johannes Brahms and Randall Thompson at 8 p.m. Saturday, Feb, 10, at North Central College's Wentz Concert Hall, 171 E. Chicago Ave., Naperville. There's a preconcert lecture at 7 p.m. Tickets: $33-$38. Info: dupagesymphony.org or (630) 637-7469.
E.T. phone home: It's not always classical music, as the Elgin Symphony Orchestra demonstrates when it performs John Williams' film scores from Steven Spielberg movies such as “E.T.,” “Jaws” and all those Indiana Jones flicks. Showtimes are 7:30 p.m. Saturday, Jan. 27, and 2:30 p.m. Sunday, Jan. 28, at the Hemmens Cultural Center, 45 Symphony Way, Elgin. Tickets: $30-$65. Don't worry, classical buffs, the orchestra is performing Mozart in February. Info: elginsymphony.org or (847) 888-4000.
"Timeless Classic": The Lake County Symphony Orchestra presents “Timeless Classics,” in this case music by Shostakovich (another fun name to spell!) at 7:30 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 17, at Village Church of Gurnee, 1319 Hunt Club Road, Gurnee. Tickets: $15 in advance and $18 at the door. Info: lakecountysymphonyorchestra.com or (847) 746-3472.
Winter, spring and more: In the mood for a little Vivaldi? The Elmhurst Symphony Orchestra performs his “Four Seasons” as part of a concert at 3 p.m., Sunday, Jan. 28, at Elmhurst Christian Reformed Church, 149 W. Brush Hill Road, Elmhurst. Tickets: $35 for adults, $32 for seniors and $12 for students. Info: boxoffice@elmhurstsymphony.org.
Youth orchestra: Some young musicians tackle some familiar music when the Schaumburg Youth Concert Orchestra and the Schaumburg Youth Sinfonia Strings take the stage at 3 p.m. Sunday, Feb. 11, at the Al Larson Center for the Arts, 201 Schaumburg Court. The concert orchestra will perform Schubert, Britten and Tchaikovsky while the strings do a little Vivaldi and Percy Grainger. Tickets: $7 in advance for adults and $3 for those 18 and younger; $9 and $5 at the door. Info: schaumburgyouthorchestra.org.
A place for us: If you missed the Fox Valley Orchestra's performances of Brahms and Dvorak on Sunday, don't fret. Selections from “West Side Story” will highlight the orchestra's next “Landscape of Visions” concert at 3 p.m. Sunday, March 11, at the Crimi Auditorium, 407 S. Calumet Ave., Aurora. Tickets are available online for $14 for adults, $12 for seniors and students and $9 for kids 8 and younger. Info: (630) 891-2526 or foxvalleyorchestra.org.