Hungry for some music?
The Fox Valley Orchestra serves up “Mozart, Glazunov and Schumann” 7:30 p.m. March 11 at the Batavia Fine Arts Centre as well as at 3 p.m. March 12 at the Crimi Auditorium at Aurora University.
“From my perspective, an orchestra concert is much like fine dining,” guest conductor Brian Groner said. “We will be presenting three exceptional pieces in this concert.”
On the menu is Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart’s “Overture to The Abduction from the Seraglio,” Alexander Glazunov’s “Violin Concerto” and Robert Schumann’s “Symphony No. 2.”
“The Mozart starts the concert with great unbridled enthusiasm,” Groner said. “It acts as an aperitif to the rest of the program.”
Appetites whetted.
“We then move to the Glazunov with its rich melodies and its exploration of the violinist’s technique,” he said. “One could view this piece, with its distinct sections flowing one into the other, as a serious main course.”
Guest violinist Masha Lakisova joins the orchestra for this darkly lyrical “Violin Concerto in A minor.”
“Although she, of course, has complete technical command of the instrument, she transcends the instrument and brings her listeners directly into contact with the music,” Groner said.
Ready for dessert?
“The Schumann is a tour de force for the orchestra,” Groner said. “It explores so many characters, from the energetic first movement to the virtuoso scherzo movement (one of the most difficult movements in all of the orchestral literature) to the transcendently beautiful, nearly spiritual, third movement and then capped off with a triumphant finale.”
As conductor, Groner said the greatest challenge for him on this program will be the Schumann symphony.
“Throughout the piece there are extreme technical demands placed on the musicians of the orchestra,” he said. “With that, it is of greatest importance for me to keep their attention focused on the fantastic characters the music presents, not just on the notes.”
All in all, the program makes for a fine musical meal.
“I sincerely hope that the audience experiences the wonderful sense of camaraderie and service to the art of music-making that the Fox Valley Orchestra has,” Groner said. “It is a fine group of people and serves the community so well.”
Concert tickets purchased online are $14 for adults, $12 for students and seniors and $9 for kids 8 and under. Tickets purchased at the door are $16.50 for adults, $14.50 for students and seniors, and $10 for kids 8 and under. Subscriptions and group discounts also are available.
Jen Banowetz is a freelance reporter for The Beacon-News.
‘Mozart, Glazunov and Schumann’
When: 7:30 p.m. March 11 and 3 p.m. March 12
Where: Batavia Fine Arts Centre, 1201 Main St., and Crimi Auditorium, 407 S. Calumet Ave., at Aurora University
Tickets: $9-$16.50
Information: 630-891-2525 or www.foxvalleyorchestra.org
