Under the direction of Dr. Colin Holman,
take a trip to the exotic sounds of southwest China with the
Tribal Dance of Yao by Mao Yuen. The
work premiered in 1953 in Beijing, but gained worldwide attention in 1954 when
it was arranged for traditional Chinese Instruments. The Fox Valley Orchestra performs this
haunting work with western instruments. From
China the orchestra journeys to Spain with Rimsky-Korsakov’s Capriccio Espagnol. Composed in 1887, this masterpiece was
hailed by critics as “a brilliant composition for orchestra.” The change of timber and melodic design,
interspersed with virtuoso cadenzas for solo instruments, thrills audiences
every time it is played. The Spanish themes
and dance character help to make it a favorite with audiences everywhere. On to
Italy with Tchaikovsky’s Capriccio Italien, Op. 45, which was inspired by a trip
Tchaikovsky took to Rome. There he
experienced an Italian Carnival and used the folk music freely in this fantasy
for orchestra. The introductory bugle
call comes directly from an Italian cavalry, which was stationed outside
Tchaikovsky’s hotel window. Another audience
favorite, this one is sure to please.
Also featured on the program is principal percussionist Dan
Heffner performing Mayuzumi’s contemporary work, Concertino for Xylophone and
Orchestra. Mayuzumi, a prolific Japanese
composer, is also known for his hundreds of works for movies. Heffner is a graduate of Northwestern
University. He has performed in numerous
groups in the area including the Wheaton Band, Chicago Brass Band, and the Fox
Valley Concert Band, Lake Shore Symphony Orchestra, Chicago Metropolitan
Symphony Orchestra, Symphony of Oak Park and River Forest. He was
an inaugural member of the rhythmic performance ensemble Be The Groove.
Don’t miss the “Exotic!” concert on Saturday, October 26,
7:30 p.m. at Batavia Fine Arts Center, Batavia, and Sunday, October 27, 3:00
p.m. at Crimi Auditorium at Aurora University in Aurora. Tickets are $13 adults, $11 for students and
seniors. Advanced tickets are $12 or $10
for students and seniors. Call or email
to inquire about group discounts. 630-891-2526
or tickets@foxvalleyorchestra.org
