Purdue orchestras tackle a trio of composers in Homecoming Concert

Tuesday, November 24, 2009

From the galloping rhythms of Rossini’s famous “William Tell Overture” to  Mendelssohn’s Fifth Symphony which paraphrases the hymn tune “A Mighty Fortress is Our God” in its finale, the Purdue Orchestras will showcase a variety of classical music at its Homecoming Concert set for 8 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 3, in the Long Center, 111 N. Sixth St., Lafayette.

Admission is free.

Both Purdue orchestras will be featured under the baton of Andrew King. The Purdue Philharmonic will perform Edward Elgar’s “Enigma Variations.” The unique piece takes one melody and explores different ways of playing it, each way influenced by the preferences of a friend or, in one case, a dog close to the British composer. “Enigma Variations” secured Elgar’s reputation as a composer of national, even international, standing and remains one of the most popular works in the classical repertoire, King says.

Before tackling Mendelssohn’s Fifth or “Reformation” Symphony, the Purdue Symphony opens its portion of the program with a “Hi Ho Silver and Away.” Those words will leap to audience’s minds when they hear Rossini’s “William Tell Overture” which became famous in the 20th century as the theme to “The Long Ranger.”

Felix Mendelssohn’s Reformation Symphony, written in 1829, is a highly original piece of religious music depicting the triumph of Protestantism. In its fast stormy first movement, Mendelssohn musically depicts an intense spiritual struggle away from Catholicism. The finale, written as a celebration opens with the Lutheran chorale “A Mighty Fortress is Our God.”

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