Elmhurst Symphony and Elmhurst Choral Union join in presenting 'Beethoven 9' May 6
On Saturday, May 6, the Elmhurst Symphony Orchestra will present "Beethoven 9" featuring Beethoven's awe-inspiring masterpiece, Symphony No. 9, along with the beautiful and technically-challenging Violin Concerto by Finnish composer Jean Sibelius.
Violinist Elinor Detmer, a Stanger Young Artist Competition winner, and the Elmhurst Choral Union will join the Elmhurst Symphony Orchestra and music director/conductor Stephen Alltop for a magnificent evening.
The popular pre-concert lecture with Ted Hatmaker will be held before the concert at 5:45 p.m. This will be Hatmaker's last lecture before his retirement.
The concert will begin at 7 p.m. at Elmhurst Symphony's home venue, Elmhurst Christian Reformed Church, 149 W. Brush Hill Road.
What's interesting about this concert?
Joy!
Ludwig van Beethoven's Ninth Symphony adapts the text of the "Ode to Joy," a poem by Friedrich Schiller (with some additional text thrown in there by Beethoven himself). If there was ever a piece to feed your soul, Beethoven's Ninth Symphony is it!
The very first symphony to ever employ a chorus (sung at this performance by the Elmhurst Choral Union), the work is considered Beethoven's greatest and one of the most significant pieces of music in history.
The program opens by featuring violinist Elinor Detmer, winner of the 2022 Stanger Competition, in a performance of the Violin Concerto by Finnish composer Jean Sibelius, widely considered one of the best (and most difficult) violin concertos ever written.
What's playing?
Sibelius: Violin Concerto - I. Allegro moderato
Beethoven: Symphony No. 9 in D minor, Op. 125
Who's performing?
Elmhurst Symphony Orchestra
Elmhurst Choral Union
Members of Apollo Chorus of Chicago
Stephen Alltop, music director and conductor
Elinor Detmer, violin, 2022 Stanger Competition winner
Michelle Areyzaga, soprano
Tetyana Vakhnovska, mezzo-soprano
Peder Reiff, tenor
Bill McMurray, bass-baritone
General admission tickets are $35, available online at ElmhurstSymphony.org/event/beethoven-9. Reduced fare tickets for students ($12) and seniors ($32).