The Chicago Sinfonietta: Big Ideas

Under the baton of guest conductor Leslie B. Dunner, the second program of the Chicago Sinfonietta’s 2008-2009 season is filled with symphonic classics as the orchestra celebrates Big Ideas. As part of this concert, the Sinfonietta is proud to perform two winning works from a world-wide Internet poll that asked the question, "What are the classical works that changed the rules and affected everything that came after?" A list of eleven works was chosen by a panel of music experts and posted on the website to be voted on by the general public. Thousands of classical music lovers were able to vote for the works that they felt had most impacted classical music today, in addition to adding their own suggestions to the list. From this polling process two scores were chosen as the key works that inspired what is classical music today. These poll winners are revealed to the public for the first time at the concert on November 10.

Also on the concert’s bill is Maurice Ravel’s lively and evocative Introduction and Allegro featuring Sinfonietta harpist Faye Seeman. A work that has gone somewhat unnoticed in today’s classical arena, this stunning piece was commissioned in 1905 by the Maison Érard, the maker of harps and pianos, just in time for the company’s launch of the pedal harp. Though one of Ravel’s least favorite, this composition was the first piece to explore and exploit the full resources of the solo instrument.

The Chicago Sinfonietta, joined on stage by the Chicago Youth Symphony Orchestras, will start the second half of the Big Ideas program with Aaron Copland’s Fanfare for the Common Man. One of the most recognized pieces of American classical music in the 20th century, Fanfare for the Common Man was written in 1942 for the Cincinnati Symphony Orchestra under conductor Eugène Goossens and has been further popularized by alternative versions from rock musicians such as Bob Dylan, the Rolling Stones, and Emerson, Lake, & Palmer. The evening will conclude with two of Ottorino Respighi’s expressive masterpieces, Fontane di Roma (Fountains of Rome) and Pini di Roma (Pines of Rome), accompanied by members of Chicago Youth Symphony Orchestras. Each of the four movements in Fontane di Roma is dedicated to one of Rome’s fountains during different periods of the day and night. Disliked by critics during its premiere Fontane di Roma later becomes one of the most eminent examples of the symphonic poem. The other of Respighi’s most well-known works, Pini di Roma is considered one of the masterpieces of his Roman Trilogy of symphonic poems as each movement portrays the location of pine trees in distinct areas of the city during different parts of the day.