Mary Woodmansee Green conducting the Kennett Symphony Orchestra.
The Kennett Symphony Orchestra travels north this Saturday, April 25, to perform Beethoven's powerful "Eroica" Symphony in an 8 p.m. concert at the Westminster Presbyterian Church in West Chester.
Beethoven's third symphony is considered a landmark in musical history because of the range and depth of the emotions it conveys. And these days there's even more interest than usual in the program, according to Ginna Goodall, the symphony's executive director. Goodall says the many references to the composer in the book (and soon-to-be movie) The Soloist have boosted the general public's awareness of Beethoven and classical music.
Even without the recent publicity, Beethoven is one of the most recognized names in music. The program also includes a piece by another composer, Sir Edward Elgar, more familiar to classical buffs than to the general public. Elgar is one of England's most famous composers, and those unfamiliar with his work may be pleasantly surprised by its stately, lyrical beauty. The symphony will perform his Variation No. 9 ("Nimrod") on an Original Theme for orchestra, Op. 36 ("Enigma").
The program will open with a remembrance of the late Calvin Bourgeault, music director of the symphony from 1970 to 1975, and an exhibit of Wyeth family art as a tribute to the recently deceased artist Andrew Wyeth.
Tickets are $35 for adults and $10 for students, with discounts available for subscribers and groups. Westminster Presbyterian Church is located at 10 W. Pleasant Grove Rd., West Chester.
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