Songs of spring
Conductor Tim Sandford leads the final rehearsal for the Panhandle Symphony Orchestra's spring concert, which will be Tuesday evening in the Post Falls High School auditorium.
Courtesy photo
POST FALLS — The Panhandle Symphony Orchestra Spring Concert will be at 7 p.m. Tuesday in the Post Falls High School auditorium.
Conductor Tim Sandford has chosen familiar pieces for the audience to enjoy, including a medley of songs from the well-known musical “Chicago,” the longest-running American musical in Broadway history.
“Bacchanale” by Camille Saint-Saens was written for "Sampson and Delilah," a grand three-act opera based on the biblical story. It was first performed on Dec. 2, 1877. The Panhandle Symphony Orchestra will perform the instrumental arrangement of the piece.
Antonin Dvorak composed the beautiful “Symphony No. 9 in E minor." This symphony is more commonly known as the "New World Symphony," which was written in 1893. Dvorak was the director of the National Conservatory of Music of America and the piece was commissioned by the New York Philharmonic. It is influenced by Dvorak’s great interest in the history of America and American Indian music. The orchestra will perform the first movement.
One of the most familiar pieces to be performed is Beethoven’s “Symphony No. 5 — Sonata Allegro,” which is well known by most classical music lovers and first premiered in Vienna in 1808. Beethoven was in his mid-30s and struggling with increasing deafness at this time. According to Wikipedia, some 30 years after this piece was written, the rhythm of the opening phrase was used for the letter “V” in Morse code.
The Panhandle Symphony Orchestra is a nonprofit community orchestra with more than 50 experienced musicians, varying from school age to retirees.
The concert is free and open to all ages. Doors open at 6:30 p.m.
Post Falls High School is at 2832 E. Poleline Ave.