Evanston Symphony Orchestra

Although there is no doubt that the "New World" is the most popular of Antonin Dvořák's nine symphonies, most musicologists and Dvořák scholars are in agreement that his greatest symphony is the Seventh.

The Double Concerto for Violin and Cello in A Minor stands apart in the Brahms’ canon. It was his only double concerto, and his last work for orchestra.

Thank two trends of the 19th century for the high-spirited, rollicking dances on our June program. Dance-style pieces for piano four-hands (a single piano played by two pianists) and compositions inspired by Europe’s minority culture, particularly the Roma (Gypsy) culture, were all the rage.

What is there new to say about Beethoven’s Fifth Symphony? It is, after all, one of the greatest, best-known and frequently played orchestra pieces ever written. It was first performed on Dec. 22, 1808, at the Theater an der Wien in Vienna, along with the premieres of Beethoven’s Sixth Symphony and Fourth Piano Concerto, with Beethoven conducting and at the piano. Oh, for a time machine!

Ludwig van Beethoven realized he was losing his hearing when he entered one of the most prolific and creative periods of his professional life. It was during this period — named the middle period — that he composed the Third Piano Concerto. The Evanston Symphony Orchestra will perform this major work with pianist Inna Faliks at its concert on Sunday, April 10, at 2:30 p.m. at Pick-Staiger.

Our April concert starts off with one of Beethoven’s final “Heroic” works, the Overture to his incidental music for a production of Goethe’s play Egmont.

The Evanston Symphony Orchestra for its upcoming Valentine’s Day concert will perform two classic American works: selections from Porgy and Bess by George Gershwin and The Red Pony Suite by Aaron Copland.

Two great local musical institutions – the Evanston Symphony and Howard Levy – are teaming up for the first time! Levy will perform his wonderful Concerto for Diatonic Harmonica and Orchestra with the ESO on 2:30 p.m. Sunday, Feb. 14 at Pick-Staiger Hall in Evanston.

The three-movement piece was composed in 2000 on a commission from the Illinois Philharmonic. Each movement is written in a different church mode – Mixolydian, Dorian and Ionian – to give it a unique sound, and features improvisatory cadenzas for the soloist. Listen to the opening movement.