In Tuesday’s (4/8) Courier-News (Illinois), Annie Alleman writes that the New Philharmonic, based in Glen Ellyn, “returns to its home at The Mac with a tribute to the bad boy of baroque: Ludwig Van Beethoven. ‘The Ultimate Rebel—Ludwig Van!’ will be performed April 12 and 13 at the McAninch Arts Center.… The New Philharmonic will present Beethoven’s Symphony No. 5, op. 67, C minor; and Beethoven’s Symphony No. 7, op. 92, A major, directed by Kirk Muspratt. ‘They say that Beethoven’s 5 is the most famous piece of music in the world,’ Muspratt said. ‘You could play it in the middle of Nepal and people would know those four notes. It’s a monumental piece of music. It changed music history forever—the drama of it, the expression of it, the power of it, the use of instruments in it.’ Before the Philharmonic begins the show, Muspratt stages ‘Kirk’s Klassical Bootcamp’ for the audience, where he will discuss the inspirations and influences behind two of Beethoven’s greatest achievements.” Muspratt comments, “I don’t want people just to come and have a concert. I want them to come and really have a tremendous experience.”
Posted April 10, 2014
