Symphony concert entitled 'Americana' at Forest View in Arlington Heights
Northwest Symphony, under the direction of Maestra Kim Diehnelt, will present a concert at 3:30 p.m. Sunday, April 3 in Arlington Heights.
Entitled "Americana," it features perhaps the most classically American of symphonies, as well as works from Scandinavia and Czechoslovakia - for America is a celebration of nationalities.
The grand finale of the concert is Symphony No. 2, by Charles Ives. Written between 1897 and 1901 by an outstanding composer who made his fortune as an insurance salesman, the symphony frequently quotes hymn tunes, spirituals, and songs by Steven Foster, as well as works by Bach, Beethoven and Brahms, weaving a game of "name that tune" into a seamless work of grandeur.
The concert opens with the "Holbergiana Suite" by Niels Gade, a Danish composer of the romantic era. This charming piece in four movements depicts four comic plays by Ludvig Holberg. The lighthearted nature of the plays is reflected in music with easy melodies and lilting rhythms, punctuated by occasional titters of musical laughter.
The second piece, Antonin Dvorak's "Romance" for violin and orchestra, features concertmaster John Schindler as soloist. The pensive melody of singular beauty that begins and ends the work is a perfect showcase for the exquisite tonal quality of the violin in the hands of this violinist.
Members of the Northwest Symphony Orchestra represent a wide spectrum of interests and backgrounds, including financial analysts, real estate agents, engineers, physicians, music performers and educators, students, and retirees. The orchestra, founded in 1951, numbers more than 70 instrumentalists, ranging from students to music professionals. Orchestra members, chosen by audition, meet weekly to rehearse and perform great symphonic orchestral music.
The concert will be at the Forest View Education Center, 2121 S. Goebbert Road, Arlington Heights, in partnership with the District 214 Community Education program. A commentary by Diehnelt precedes the concert at 2:45 p.m.
Tickets, available at the door, are $20, $15 for seniors, $10 for students. Children under age 14 are admitted free when accompanied by a paying adult. Tickets also are at www.northwestsymphony.org, or call the Forest View Box Office at (847) 718-7702.