April 02, 2021

SISO to feature works by Glière, Martinu and Strauss

CARBONDALE, Ill. — Chamber ensembles featuring the 20th century works of three celebrated composers will close out the Southern Illinois Symphony Orchestra season on Thursday, April 8, at Shryock Auditorium.

The three chamber ensembles will perform two octets and a nonet. The performance is at 7:30 p.m.

The ensembles will feature the works of Czech composer Bohuslav Martinu; Russian composer Reinhold Glière, and German composer Richard Strauss. Ensemble members include SIU graduate and undergraduate music majors and local professionals.

The concert opens with a mid-20th century work by Martinu (1890-1959) written in the composer’s last year. The nonet for five winds and four strings is a “charming three-movement composition utilizing the varied colors of solo strings and winds and was last performed in Southern Illinois in 1999,” said Edward Benyas, professor of oboe in the SIU School of Music.

Next on the program are the final two movements of a string octet by Glière (1874-1956), performed by the combined SISO and Hyink family string quartets. Glière, who wrote in the Romantic style, composed his octet for strings in 1902. The concert concludes with Strauss’ (1864-1949) famous tone poem, “Till Eulenspiegel’s Merry Pranks,” in a “terrific arrangement” for eight players, Benyas said.

Jace Kim, a graduate conducting student in the School of Music, will conduct the Martinu and Strauss works; the Glière octet will not be conducted, said Benyas, who is the symphony’s music director and coordinator of its chamber ensembles.

Safety protocols in place

Benyas emphasized the performances will comply with the state’s Restore Illinois plan and SIU Carbondale health and safety guidelines.

Safety protocols include:

  • Concert attendance will be limited to 40 patrons each night, with advance reservations only.
  • All staff, artists and audience members must wear masks while in attendance.
  • Audience members who are not part of the same household will be seated at least 6 feet apart.
  • All artists will perform at least 6 feet apart.
  • Staggered entry times will be provided to patrons when reservations are confirmed, to ensure social distancing.

Tickets available now

Tickets for the April 8 performance are $20 for general admission and $10 for students of any age. Reservations must be made by email before Wednesday, April 7. For tickets, email Benyas at benyas@siu.edu, indicating the number of tickets needed and whether it is for general admission or student.