Even if you don't recognize the title, you'll know most of the music in
"Barnburners," the title for Saturday's Evansville Philharmonic Orchestra
concert, says Alfred Savia.
Savia, the orchestra's music director, predicts lots of "Oh, that's what that
is!" moments in The Victory.
Those who don't recognize the title for Amilcare Ponchielli's "Dance of the
Hours" from "La Gioconda" likely will remember the melody from other sources -
Allan Sherman's "Hello Mudda, Hello Faddah" or Disney's animated classic,
"Fantasia."
If you don't think you know Aleksandr Borodin's "Polovetsian Dances" from
"Prince Igor," think "Stranger in Paradise," the most popular song from Robert
Wright and George Forrest's "Kismet," a musical that drew all its music from
Borodin.
And anyone who's ever been to a wedding knows the Bridal Chorus from Act III
of Richard Wagner's "Lohengrin." They probably think of it, however, as "Here
Comes the Bride."
"It's the first time we've taken this many pieces that are real well-known
repertoire -orchestral barn burners - and put them on the same program," says
Savia.
The concert will feature the orchestra and Philharmonic Chorus performing
nine pieces, including works by Otto Nicolai, Edvard Grieg, Andre Gretry, Peter
Ilich Tchaikovsky and Giuseppe Verdi.
Expect some unusual visual elements for the finale. Herald trumpets - long,
uncoiled instruments used for ceremonial occasions - will flank both sides of
the stage for the "Triumphal March" from Verdi's "Aida," the concert's big,
brassy ending.
http://www.courierpress.com/news/2006/nov/16/barnburners-brings-familiar-tunes-to-stage/
