The Missouri Philharmonic is a local civic orchestra made up of professional, amateur and student musicians. Music Director Amy Andreassen joined us on KSMU Arts News to talk about their fall concert next week.
"Be Careful What You Wish For" features music by Johann Sebastian Bach, Sergei Rachmaninoff and Hector Berlioz, and takes place Thursday, October 26 at 7:30 p.m. at the orchestra's regular venue, Barley House at Moontown Crossing, 3060 North Kentwood Avenue, near the Glenstone/I-44 interchange in north Springfield.
The concert will include Leopold Stokowski's famous orchestral arrangement of the Bach "Toccata & Fugue in D minor;" Rachmaninoff's eerie tone poem "Isle of the Dead," inspired by the equally eerie painting of the same name by Swiss Symbolist artist Arnold Böcklin.
Also on the program is the work that inspired this concert's nickname: the "March to the Scaffold" movement from the "Symphonie fantastique" by Hector Berlioz. In it, the French composer musically depicts a musician — himself — taking opium and falling into a nightmarish dream about him and the woman he loves, who he feels has rejected him. Berlioz at the time was trying to court hard-to-get Irish actress Harriet Smithson. Eventually he married her... and ended up wishing he hadn't. Thus, "Be Careful What You Wish For!"
And just for fun, the evening will also include an orchestral version of the early 1960s novelty song "Monster Mash."
Tickets for the October 26 concert are $10 for adults, $5 for students, children free. Tickets will be available at the door.
Sensory-friendly performance offered free
In addition to the ticketed performance, Andreassen said the orchestra will once again offer a special free concert the night before, Wednesday, October 25 at 6:30 p.m. at Barley House. This will be a special "sensory-friendly" performance for those who are challenged with difficulty sitting still and quietly during a regular concert. The last time the Missouri Philharmonic offered such a performance, there were 45 attendees — including couples with babies and toddlers, Andreassen added. They are also welcome to attend the October 25 performance. It's free, no ticket required.
For information, call Amy Andreassen at 417-849-5930 or visit the Missouri Philharmonic Orchestra Facebook page. Their website is missouriphilharmonic.org.
