Three giants of the orchestral repertoire are showcased when the Elmhurst Symphony Orchestra concludes its Season of Celebration on Saturday, May 7 at 7:00 p.m. with a concert of friendship and spectacular music-making. Rika Seko, celebrating her 20th anniversary as concertmaster of the ESO, performs Mozart’s Sinfonia Concertante in E-flat with her longtime friend, Venezuelan-born violist Anibal Dos Santos, the principal violist of the Bogota Philharmonic Orchestra and professor at the National University of Colombia. Also on the program are bold and compelling works by Beethoven and Tchaikovsky, two composers who greatly admired Mozart. Beethoven’s Overture to Egmont is an audience favorite, and Tchaikovsky’s Symphony No. 4 offers beloved melodies and a high-octane orchestra finale. The concert, under the baton of Musical Director and Conductor Stephen Alltop, also celebrating his 20th season with the orchestra, takes place at the ESO’s home, Elmhurst Christian Reformed Church in Elmhurst.
Seko and Dos Santos met in Colombia in 1987, when they were both aspiring young musicians. ”Soon after we met,” recalls Seko, “we got together to read some music, and I still remember the opening unison of Mozart’s duo (B flat major, k.424) sounded perfectly uniform at our first try. We had big smiles on our faces as we continued. We immediately became friends of confidence, and after that we gave numerous concerts together until I left Colombia in 1994.”
“Strangely,” Seko continued, “this is our first time to play Sinfonia Concertante together. Even though it’s been a decade since we played together last time, I have an absolute trust in his musical integrity, and I know he trusts me, as well. I really look forward to this opportunity and to be inspired by him again.”
A generous gift from Loretta Kalina underwrites Overture to Egmont and Tchaikovsky’s Symphony No. 4.
Elmhurst Christian Reformed Church is located at 149 W. Brush Hill Rd. in Elmhurst. The church has accessible parking and facilities; parking is free. The concert experience at ECRC is enhanced by the informative and lively discussion, Behind the Music Stand, led by audience favorite Dr. Ted Hatmaker, which takes place at 5:45 p.m. prior to the concert.
Tickets, which can be purchased on the ESO web site at www.elmhurstsymphony.org or by calling the ESO Box Office at 630-941-0202, are $32 for adults, $30 for seniors, and $9 for students. There is an additional $5 per ticket charge for tickets purchased at the door. Group and family rates are also available. Subscriptions for the ESO’s exciting 2016-17 season can be purchased at the concert. For information visit the web site or call the ESO Box Office.
The 55th season of the Elmhurst Symphony Orchestra is made possible in part by grants from the City of Elmhurst, the Illinois Arts Council (a state agency), the Gaylord and Dorothy Donnelley Foundation, and 90.9FM WDCB, Chicago’s Home for Jazz.
