Springfield Symphony Orchestra honors Scandinavian composers

Date: 2/4/2016

SPRINGFIELD – On Feb. 6, Maestro Kevin Rhodes and the Springfield Symphony Orchestra (SSO) will be joined by three renowned soloists as they explore three remarkable works by Scandinavian and Finnish composers, specifically, Jean Sibelius, Edvard Grieg and Carl Nielsen.

The evening’s performance at Springfield Symphony Hall, 34 Court St., begins at 7:30 p.m. with doors open at 6 p.m. and Classical Conversations Pre-Concert discussion with host John Nowacki, NEPR, free to ticket holders.

Adult tickets start at $22, and children’s (ages 4 to 17) and college student tickets are always just $10 for any section of Springfield Symphony Hall.

For more information and to order tickets, call the SSO Box Office Monday to Friday 9:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. at 733-2291, visit the SSO Box Office, 350 Main St., or order online at www.springfieldsymphony.org.

First on the program is Jean Sibelius’ Finlandia, composed in 1899 as a turbulent and epic response to Russian censorship and oppression.

More recently, Finlandia enjoyed a place in Finnish director Renny Harlin’s 1990 film, Die Hard 2.

Also on the program is Edvard Grieg’s Piano Concerto in A Minor, featuring renowned guest pianist Claire Huangci. Premiered in 1869, echoes of this Norwegian work can be heard in many notable compositions from decades since, including George Gershwin’s “Rhapsody in Blue.”

Rhodes noted, “It’s easy to understand why this was once a favorite piece for Hollywood to use anytime a character went to a concert in a movie; this work lingers in the mind long after leaving the concert hall.”

The evening’s final piece is Danish composer Carl Nielsen’s 1912 work, Symphony No. 3, Sinfonia Espansiva. Rhodes describes this composition as “romantic, broad, lush, and exciting.” Baritone John Salvi, and Soprano Dana Lynne Varga will lend their voices to Nielsen’s sunny composition.

Free concert-night parking is available at the I-91 South and I-91 North Springfield Parking Authority (SPA) garages, as well as the Tower Square/Marriott garage.

“We have plenty of free, secure parking, all very close to Springfield Symphony Hall,” Marketing Director Ann Rasmussen said. “Even during the I-91 viaduct and MGM construction work, ticket holders will find it easy and convenient to park. And our website also includes updated information on downtown construction detours.”

Also in February, the SSO welcomes Steve Lippia on Feb. 13 for Centennial Sinatra: Celebrating the Music of Ol’ Blue Eyes; and on Feb. 27, the SSO presents Gershwin’s “Porgy and Bess,” Copland, Schwantner & Ellington featuring narration by renowned actor Avery Brooks, 4 dynamic vocalists, and the Springfield Symphony Chorus.

For more information on the 2015-2016 concert season, call the SSO Box Office at 733-2291 or visit their website at www.SpringfieldSymphony.org.