The orchestra's concert kicks off with a fanfare, "an incredible brass work, Canzon by Gabrieli," says the orchestra's VP of Artistic Planning, Jeremy Rothman. "These were written for large churches with brass sections playing at different ends of the church."
And it feature's Verizon Hall's Fred J. Cooper Memorial organ, the largest mechanical-action concert hall organ in America, in an action-packed program that includes 6 pieces of music in all-from an organ solo piece to works infused with Brazilian folk music and Gregorian motets.
"This is one of my favorite programs. The combination of this repertoire is so unique," says Rothman, "it's going to be really surprising. This is not your traditional orchestra concert where you expect to come in and see the full orchestra in its traditional array."
And that's just the first half of the show. Faure's Requiem is the 2nd. Rothman describes it as "an incredible and beautiful lyrical masterpiece where the organ, the chorus, the soloist in the orchestra are all going to come together to create a complete experience."
The concert will be led by a guest conductor making his orchestra debut.
"Alain Altinoglu is a fantastic young conductor who really specializes in French repertoire, especially the Faure," says Rothman. "It's a piece that he is going to bring a really fresh and energetic approach to the Faure and to the program as a whole."
The orchestra will stage 3 performances of Faure's Requiem March 13th through the 15th.
For tickets and show times visit theartsinphilly.org .
