Illinois Philharmonic to spotlight 4 musicians

Four principal Illinois Philharmonic Orchestra musicians will share center stage for the Illinois Philharmonic Orchestra's Symphonic Spotlight Concert on April 26.

The concert begins at 8 p.m. at The Center for Performing Arts, Governors State University.

Tickets are $28, $38 or $48 for adults and $15 for students (18 and younger). Tickets are available by calling (708) 235-2222.

Illinois Philharmonic Orchestra concertmaster Hal Grossman, principal oboe Naomi Bensdorf Frisch, principal bassoon Erin Kozakis and principal cello Emily Mantell will share the spotlight to perform Haydn's 18th century classic Sinfonia Concertante.

"The Haydn Sinfonia Concertante is a classical jewel," said philharmonic orchestra director Carmon DeLeone. "And it provides a wonderful opportunity to showcase the talents of four of our gifted Illinois Philharmonic Orchestra musicians," he added.

The concert opens with Sergei Prokofiev's March in Bb Major and closes with one of Prokofiev's greatest orchestral works, his Symphony No. 5.

Written in the summer of 1944, this symphony is often described as capturing the "greatness of the human spirit."

Prokofiev conducted the premiere of it on Jan. 13, 1945, in Moscow, on the eve of the Allied victory in the war. The Symphony No. 5 was an instant hit and was performed world-wide.

"Prokofiev is certainly one my favorite composers," said DeLeone.

"His symphony No. 5 represents the apex of his art -- a masterwork of the 20th century which will last an eternity," he added.

Concert-goers are invited to arrive at 7:15 p.m. for a free pre-concert discussion about the composers and their music presented by Martha Horst, assistant professor at Illinois State University's School of Music.