DANVILLE — The battle of the conductors continues to heat up as the Danville Symphony Orchestra performed its third major concert of the season on March 9.
Maestro Richard Zielinski, who inaugurated the 2023-24 season in October, returned to the Dick Van Dyke Auditorium to lead the orchestra in a program featuring works inspired by the Hispanic world.
“If you have not traveled to Spain, this concert will take you there,” Maestro Zielinski said prior to the concert.
The orchestra opened their program with two impressionistic pieces that depicted the scenes of Spain, which included Iberia by Claude Debussy and Noches en los jardines de España (Nights in the Gardens of Spain) by Manuel de Falla, the later featuring renowned pianist and scholar Rochelle Sennet. Following intermission, the orchestra performed familiar Hispanic inspired music, including Bizet’s Carmen Suite No. 1, Márquez’s Danzón no. 2, and Bernstein’s “Mambo” from West Side Story.
Based on the loud and sustained ovation that Maestro Zielinski and the orchestra received at the conclusion of the concert, the audience seemed pleased with the performance. Several community members were also impressed after Maestro Zielinski made several visits to schools and community organizations around Vermilion County.
With one concert left in the season, audience members will have one more chance to share their feedback regarding the two competing maestros before the final decision is made in May.
Maestro Matthew Sheppard, who received praises for leading the Symphony in December for “Nothin’ but the Blues Christmas,” will return to conduct “Bach and Beatles” on May 4, featuring trumpet master Brandon Ridenour.
Tickets to the May 4 concert are available through the DSO website at danvillesymphony.org, or by calling 217-443-5300. Tickets also are available at the DSO office at 715 W. Fairchild St., Danville. Hours 1 p.m. – 5 p.m., Monday through Friday.
The DSO is a 501c3 organization with a 57-year tradition of bringing outstanding orchestral performances to the City of Danville, Vermilion County, and the East Central Illinois region. Performances are supported in part by the Illinois Arts Council and by the John P. Cadle Foundation. For more information or for a four-concert season subscription, contact Kay Welch or Maddi Julian at 217-443-5300 or go to www.danvillesymphony.org or visit the DSO office.