Symphony on the Prairie with ISO presents Tchaikovsky's 5

Tchaikovsky 5 at Marsh Symphony on the Prairie, Indianapolis, Indiana

The Marsh Symphony on the Prairie series has offered Indianapolis music a range of experience this Summer. Nothing beats an outdoor concert in a beautiful and serene setting like Conner Prairie Living History Park in Fishers, Indiana. The Indianapolis Symphony Orchestra teams with Conner Prairie once more to present Tchaikovsky 5, an evening of music from Russian composers. Friday, July 30 and Saturday, July 31 at 8:00 pm, the music of Russia’s finest composers will fill the grounds of Conner Prairie with that sweet melancholy sound that instantly transports listeners to the Motherland. Don’t miss this Indianapolis music event as the Indianapolis Symphony Orchestra shares some of the most profound music ever composed.

Dynamic Russian conductor Andrey Boreyko leads the Indianapolis Symphony Orchestra for two evening of purely classical repertoire. Featuring solos from the rising star cellist Zuill Bailey, these Indianapolis concerts take a tour of Mother Russia through the eyes of its most beloved composers. Nikolai Rimsky Korsakov’s Russian Easter Overture, Camille Saint Saens’ Cello Concerto Number One and Piotr Ilych Tchaikovsky’s Symphony Number Five are on the musical menu this weekend as Conner Prairie’s Symphony on the Prairie continues.

Based on Russian Orthodox liturgy, Korsakov’s Russian Easter Overture was first performed in St. Petersburg in 1888. In his overture, the composers is eager to, in his words, reproduce “the legendary and heathen aspect of the holiday, and the transition from the solemnity and mystery of the evening of Passion Saturday to the unbridled pagen religious celebrations of Easter Sunday morning.” Though Korsakov was a non believer himself, his music always expressed a genuine interest in and enjoyment of liturgical themes and music.

Camille Saint Saens composed his Cello Concerto Number 1 in 1872 when he was thirty seven yeas old. This French born composer spent years attempting to break into the French musical establishment. When he composed this piece for the well known Belgian cellist Auguste Tolbeque, Saint Saens cleverly leveraged the piece and Tolbeque’s ties with France’s leading concert society to produce his invitation to the table. Sir Donald Francis Tovey later said of the piece, “Here, for once, is a violoncello concerto in which the solo instrument displays every register without the slightest difficulty penetrating the orchestra.” Many composers consider this to be the greatest of all cello concertos.

Tchaikovsky’s Symphony Number Five has become one of his most famous works despite his own outlook on the piece: “I have come to the conclusion that it is a failure.” The symphony was extremely popular through World War II, with its themes of “ultimate victory through strife.” However, the piece was first performed in St. Petersburg in 1888. Though his contemporaries were more likely to agree with the composer about his efforts in this piece, they nonetheless recognize his innate talent. One critic wrote, “The Fifth Symphony is the weakest of Tchaikovlsy’s symphonies, but nevertheless it is a striking work taking a prominent place not only among the composer’s output but among Russian works in general. . . the entire symphony seems to spring from some dark spiritual experience.”

Experience these works for yourself at the Marsh Symphony on the Prairie presented by the Indianapolis Symphony Orchestra and Conner Prairie. Pack a picnic, a blanket or some chairs and enjoy a night of purely classical music. Tickets to this Indianapolis performing arts event are $21.00 for adults and $10.00 for Indianapolis kids. Tables of ten are available for purchase for $49.00, but each member of your party must also purchase an individual ticket.

Balloon Ride at Marsh Symphony on the Prairie, Indianapolis, Indiana Don’t miss another spectacular experience at Conner Prairie’s Symphony on the Praire. Arrive early to peruse the grounds of this living piece of Indianapolis history. Take an 1859 Balloon Voyage before or during the concert for a bird’s eye view of all the action. No time to pack a picnic? Grab take out from any of these delectable Indianapolis restaurants or Fishers restaurants. After the concert, enjoy a night cap at any of these refreshing Indianapolis bars and Fishers bars.