The first performance of Ludwig van Beethoven’s Symphony No. 9 on May 7, 1824, in Vienna, will be celebrated during a 200th anniversary performance by Illinois Philharmonic Orchestra.
Joyful Voices: Shaw & Beethoven on May 18 at Trinity Christian College’s Ozinga Chapel in Palos Heights closes the performing arts organization’s 46th season.
“Beethoven 9 is one of the greatest works ever written. It is really a work that inspired so many future composers in many different ways. It’s really a groundbreaking piece,” said Stilian Kirov, Illinois Philharmonic Orchestra’s Gibb music director.
“We decided to close the season (with it) because we are celebrating the 200th anniversary actually this month and we thought this is a fabulous piece to celebrate.
“Every time I conduct this piece it’s an absolutely transcendent experience because of the music, because of everything the music conveys and everything embedded in the last movement in terms of message to everybody who hears this piece.”
Illinois Philharmonic Orchestra’s performance of Symphony No. 9 features soprano Kimberly E. Jones, mezzo-soprano Leah Dexter, tenor Ryan Townsend Strand, baritone Bill McMurray and Chicago Community Chorus during the final movement known as “Ode to Joy.”
“We have collaborated with many of them in the past so it’s always a joy to welcome them back. They are absolutely extraordinary talents. We are very lucky to have them,” said Kirov, conductor for Symphony No. 9.
“We’re just thrilled to present this piece because I think that it’s music that is probably most needed today than any other time in history because it calls for people to hug each other, be together, brothers and sisters to embrace themselves, really for us all to be human and family to each other.
“It’s a piece that has a very important message that is important in the world today as well. The music is absolutely stunning.”
Joyful Voices: Shaw & Beethoven also includes Caroline Shaw’s “Seven Joys” conducted by Keith “Doc” Hampton, artistic director and founder of Chicago Community Chorus.
“We really wanted to feature the chorus and for them to get a significant spotlight in this performance,” said Kirov of Florida.
“Also, Caroline Shaw’s piece is very much what we call a cappella so the voices are very prominent in this piece. The orchestra is actually only five musicians so it’s a very interesting piece. It’s a piece based on Native American chants and it’s also a piece about joy.”
Joyful Voices: Shaw & Beethoven is also a memorial concert honoring Patrick Coburn, the late brother of Timothy J. Coburn, an Illinois Philharmonic Orchestra board member and past board president.
“The Coburn family is a great supporter of our orchestra,” Kirov said.
“We really wanted to give (Patrick) the proper recognition. The Illinois Philharmonic Orchestra is like a family. We really feel very close to all our patrons and we felt that this is, of course, an important moment for us to commemorate this relationship.”
Joyful Voices: Shaw & Beethoven opens with musicians from Kenwood Academy High School in Chicago.
Prior to that, Homewood Flossmoor Trombone Ensemble plays at 7 p.m. in the lobby.
Jessi Virtusio is a freelance reporter for the Daily Southtown.
Joyful Voices: Shaw & Beethoven
When: 7:30 p.m. May 18
Where: Trinity Christian College’s Ozinga Chapel, 6601 W. College Drive, Palos Heights
Tickets: $15-$84; $37 We Pick (in advance only)
Information: 708-481-7774; ipomusic.org
