Ithaca College

Two well-known Russian works will be joined by two unfamiliar ones on an upcoming Ithaca College Symphony and Chamber Orchestras concert. The free performance will be conducted by Jeffery Meyer on Tuesday, December 5 at 8:15 p.m. in Ford Hall at Ithaca College. Rimsky-Korsakov’s “Sheherazade” and Prokofiev’s “Classical Symphony” will be joined by Prokofiev’s “Overture on Hebrew Themes” and Schnittke’s “Polyphonic Tango.”

Conductor Meyer observed: “The program covers an amazingly diverse set of compositional styles and inspirations. The Classical Symphony represents the neo-classical side of Russian output, while the Rimsky-Korsakov arguably represents the pinnacle of the group of Russian nationalist composers called "The Five.” The “Overture on Hebrew Themes” was written while the composer was in the United States and evokes the music and spirit of the Klezmorim, the Jewish musicians of Eastern Europe. Schnittke's "Polyphonic Tango," was composed in 1979 on tango rhythms and humorous and crunchy polyphonic tonalities."