WASHINGTON, IL -- The Heartland Festival Orchestra's final concert of the season on May 20 was called "New World." European folk-based classical pieces made up the program.
The sort-of star of the evening was an electric cello. Guest artist Patrice Jackson played a jazz-type number, 24K Magic by Bruno Mars, adapted by Jackson. Artistic director/conductor David Commanday termed it modern folk music.
The piece was well played though the electric cello had to be elaborately tuned on stage and seemed to be somewhat temperamental. Still, the Mars piece was interesting and lively, and the encore "moved from Bach to jazz," according to music expert Ellie Hansen. "Her technique was wonderful," Hansen added.
The grand event of the program was Symphony No. 9, Opus 95, the New World Symphony by Antonin Dvorak. It's a glorious piece, and the orchestra carried it off beautifully.
A brief and amusing surprise was the display of two beautiful, hand made ethnic European dresses from Commanday's wife's family. They would be worn on special occasions, Commanday said.
The orchestra's board president, Jim Kidder, received an award from the Illinois Council of Orchestras. He was named 2017 'Board President of the Year.' He was congratulated on stage, and praised for his leadership of the orchestra.
-- Elaine Hopkins
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