By Jessi Virtusio
Daily Southtown
A different experience awaits at Illinois Philharmonic Orchestra’s summer series.
Featuring two outdoor concerts each evening, IPO Summer @ Olympia Fields Country Club opened June 14 with Four: Strings, People & Countries performed by IPO String Quartet featuring Linda Veleckis (violin), Kamen Vatchev (violin), Scott Gordon Dowd (viola) and Lisa Bressler (cello).
“It’s a chance for audiences to hear these members of the orchestra in a more intimate setting,” said Matt Lee, principal trumpet for Illinois Philharmonic Orchestra, and programmer of the June 28 Fire & Water concert.
“There’s more opportunity for rapport with the audience. When you give an orchestra concert, we’re up on the stage and the audience is way out there. This (series is) an environment where we can have more fun.
“We interact with the audience. We add a little humor to the program. Usually after the program there’s plenty of time to mingle with patrons so it’s very different in that sense.”
Fire & Water is performed by IPO Brass Quintet featuring Lee (trumpet) of Elmhurst, Greg Fudala (trumpet) of Forest Park, Brian Goodwin (horn) of Highland Park, Tom Stark (trombone) of Schaumburg and Sean Whitaker (principal tuba for Illinois Philharmonic Orchestra) of Glenview.
“All these people are really good with audiences. They’re really good with telling stories,” said Lee, who noted that some musicians have been with Illinois Philharmonic Orchestra for more than 30 years.
“The fact that we played together for so long, we know each other’s strengths and we’re comfortable working with each other always makes for better music-making.”
Fire & Water also features Simón Gómez Gallego (principal timpani for Illinois Philharmonic Orchestra), a Chicago resident originally from Colombia.
“There’s so much music that has been inspired by these elements (and goes) back centuries,” said Lee, who also is a principal trumpet for Chicago Sinfonietta and performs with Chicago Brass Quintet and Millar Brass Ensemble.
Fire & Water includes George Frideric Handel’s “La Réjouissance” from “Music for the Royal Fireworks” and a suite from “Water Music,” David Marlatt’s “Firescape,” Ralph Vaughan Williams’ “Sea Songs” and Samuel Coleridge-Taylor’s “Seadrift.”
“It’s a tip of the hat to all the composers who were inspired by fire and water and then a couple of lighter selections,” Lee said.
“We’re doing ‘Light My Fire’ by The Doors and ‘Smoke on the Water’ by Deep Purple — not standard fare for orchestral ensembles. In these arrangements is something that will be fun for the audience.”
Anthony DiLorenzo’s “Firedance” is what Lee said he is most looking forward to on Fire & Water.
“It’s one I’ve only performed once before but it’s a real technical showcase for all the players. Not only will it be exciting for the audience but it’s exciting to perform,” said Lee, who has played with Chicago Symphony Orchestra.
IPO Summer @ Olympia Fields Country Club also includes July 12’s Winds & Keys performed by IPO Quartet featuring Cynthia Fudala (flute), Naomi Bensdorf Frisch (oboe), Claire Werling (clarinet) and Matthew Hogan (bassoon) with Marilyn Bourgeois (piano).
The series concludes with July 26’s Jazz @ OFCC performed by Shout Section Big Band featuring Tatum Langley (vocals).
Fire & Water
When: 6:15 and 7:45 p.m. June 28
Where: Olympia Fields Country Club, 2800 Country Club Drive, Olympia Fields
Tickets: $39 adults; $12 students; $105 three-concert subscription
Information: 708-481-7774; ipomusic.org
Jessi Virtusio is a freelance reporter for the Daily Southtown.
