CHAMPAIGN, Ill. - Sinfonia da Camera, the professional chamber orchestra of the University of Illinois, will end its season April 9 (Tuesday ) with a concert aptly titled "Rush Hour Romance."
Beginning at 5:30 p.m. at Krannert Center for the Performing Arts, the hourlong concert opens with Sarasate's "Fantasy on Bizet's 'Carmen,' " Op. 25. This iconic showpiece will be performed by Stefan Milenkovich, a professor of violin and a former child prodigy, who won his first international competition at age 7.
Ronald M. Romm, another child prodigy turned professor, will pay tribute to legendary trumpet virtuoso Rafael Mendez, who recorded Paganini's violin challenge, "Moto Perpetuo," by circular breathing for more than four minutes. Romm has performed as a soloist since age 10, and played with the Canadian Brass for almost 30 years.
Ian Hobson, Sinfonia music director and a professor emeritus of piano, will play and conduct from the keyboard Chopin's "Grande Polonaise Brillante," Op. 22, the piece Chopin was said to have composed for showmanship, now perhaps best known as the ending of the 2002 film "The Pianist." The concert will conclude with Tchaikovsky's Overture 1812, Op. 49.
After the concert, audience members get complimentary pizza, served in the Krannert lobby, where Rick Murphy will be playing jazz piano. Tickets are $10 for adults (children 18 and under get in free), and are available through the Krannert Center ticket office, 217-3336280 or online.