By Tom Ganser
Correspondent
The Lake Geneva Symphony Orchestra presented its second concert of the 2013-14 “Horizons” season at Elkhorn Area High School on Feb. 15.
The LGSO is dedicated to involving people of diverse ages, talents and backgrounds in performing and enjoying great music. The orchestra has performed regularly since 2001 in Walworth County, Wisconsin.
David Anderson, music director for the orchestra, led the group in performances of Beethoven’s Symphony No. 7 and the Academic Festival Overture by Brahms.
As a special treat, Christopher Martin, principal trumpet of the Chicago Symphony Orchestra since 2005, joined the orchestra for a performance of the Trumpet Concerto by Alexander Arutunian, a “virtuoso showpiece” composed in 1949-1950.
Martin’s performance also included the world premiere of a cadenza for the concerto composed by Martin’s brother.
Prior to the start of the concert, Anderson conducted an interview with Martin on stage, including an opportunity for questions from the audience.
Aiming to enhance the listeners’ appreciation and enjoyment of the musical selections for the evening, before each composition Anderson gave the audience a taste of what was to come, including themes in the Beethoven symphony, a sing-a-long of four college songs echoed in Brahms’ Academic Festival Overture and a few selections from Arutunian’s concerto showcasing its range from rapid fire to meditative.
The LGSO’s next performance is on March 22 at the Riviera Ballroom in Lake Geneva.
For information on the Mar. 22 concert visit www.lakegenevaorchestra.org.
