PeoriaStory

Vivaldi in Peoria

PEORIA, IL -- In this time of political despondency, what better distraction than a hard core classical music concert. It happened on Nov. 15 at the lovely St. Mary's Cathedral. The Peoria Symphony Orchestra, playing for a sold-out audience, dived into the Baroque, 17th and 18th century music, Bach, Vivaldi and more.

The Bach piece was the familiar Orchestra Suite No. 2 in B minor. The Vivaldi was the Four Seasons, lush, thrilling. The sound in the cathedral was terrific, the soloists and orchestra were flawless.  And the concert is repeated on Nov. 16 at 3 pm.

The concert was accompanied by a fine 40-page program, filled with information, photographs, thorough notes on the music, even a poem by music director and conductor George Stelluto.

There were no requirements to enter with clear plastic bags or walk through metal detectors, as occurs at the Peoria Civic Center. 

Apparently many in the audience were not that familiar with classical music, as they clapped between movements. But that can be forgiven, as this was a lovely event.

 -- Elaine Hopkins

Heartland Festical Orchestra plays to silent films

EAST PEORIA, IL -- In one of the oddest events yet, the Heartland Festival Orchestra's November 9 concert featured the music to two classic silent films, presented in a new venue, the Illinois Central College's auditorium.

The music was lovely and well played.  The films, on large screens, were strange and dated, with  lots of fighting and pratfalls that were supposed to be funny but failed at humor.

The films were Charlie Chaplin's "The Kid," (1921) a 60 minute film, and "The Count," (1916) a 30 minute film. The orchestra accompanied both films, with the hour-long, non-stop "Kid" likely an ordeal for the players.

The program demonstrated how music is timeless but films like these are dated. Still, they are a window into the past in acting, costumes, sets and even plots. 

The "Kid" was written, directed, produced and acted by Chaplin. It was the better of the two films, showing how Chaplin matured as an artist from the "Count" with its endless pratfalls. Chaplin also wrote, directed   and acted in it. The music was by Craig Safan  from the original score. 

Music for "Count" was by Erich Korngold from Suite from "Much Ado About Nothing."

Thus an interesting concert was pulled together. It wasn't Mozart but something different.

 -- Elaine Hopkins