Concert Tribute to composer Felis Mendelssohn a Success!
Photo Caption: State Representative Bob Pritchard and KSO Music Director Linc Smelser conferred over the "Star Spangled Banner" before the concert opening the 2009-2010 Season.
The Kishwaukee Symphony Orchestra welcomed two impressive guests to celebrate"Happy 200th Birthday Felix Mendelssohn!" on Saturday, October 3, 2009 in the Boutell Memorial Concert Hall of the Music Building at Northern Illinois University.
Illinois General Assembly Representative Bob Pritchard opened the program, and the KSO’s 2009-2010 season, as guest conductor of the "Star Spangled Banner".
Then the internationally renowned violinist Mathias Tacke gave a dazzling solo performance with the orchestra on Concerto in E Minor for Violin, Op. 64, bringing the audience to their feet at the conclusion of the stirring piece. A violin professor in the Northern Illinois University School of Music faculty, and violinist with the Vermeer Quartet, Tacke is originally from Bremen, Germany. Formerly with the Ensemble Modern, a group specializing in 20th century music, he has performed countless premieres of works leading composers and made numerous recordings.
The orchestra, under the baton of Linc Smelser (the Illinois Council of Orchestra’s 2009 Conductor of the Year, Small Orchestra) also performed two other Mendelssohn favorites: Hebrides Overture, Op. 26 and Symphony No. 5, Op. 107 "Reformation."
