The Ukrainian Symphony

What’s Interesting About This Program

• Carl Maria von Weber, a contemporary of Beethoven, was one of the founders of musical Romanticism (music which favors powerful expressions of emotion, often the emotions of the composer themselves). As a kind of musical father figure, von Weber inspired and influenced an entire generation of composers — including the other composers featured on this program.
• Principal Trumpeter of the Chicago Symphony Orchestra Esteban Batallán makes his solo debut with the Elmhurst Symphony!
• Tchaikovsky’s 2nd Symphony is one of the composer’s most joyful works and earned high praise right from its premiere in 1872. Tchaikovsky used three Ukrainian folk songs throughout the symphony and, as Ukraine was known as “Little Russia” at the time, the piece was originally nicknamed the “Little Russian.” In April 2022, the work was retitled “Ukrainian” to more accurately reflect the musical inspiration for the work.

What’s Playing

Carl Maria von Weber: Der Freischütz Overture
Alexander Arutiunian: Concerto for Trumpet and Orchestra
Camille Saint-Saëns: Violin Concerto No. 3: I. Allegro non troppo
Pyotr Ilych Tchaikovsky: Symphony No. 2 (“Ukrainian”)

Who’s Performing

Elmhurst Symphony Orchestra
Stephen Alltop Music Director and Conductor
Esteban Batallán Trumpet
Cecilia O’Malley Violin, Winner of the 2023 Stanger Young Artist Competition