The Elmhurst Symphony Association (ESA)  announces its upcoming concert, La Mer, set to enchant audiences on Saturday, May 4, 2024, at 7:00 PM. The performance will take place at the Elmhurst Christian Reformed Church (ECRC) in Elmhurst.

What’s Playing

Claude Debussy Ibéria (from Images pour orchestre)
Camille Saint-Saëns Cello Concerto No. 1 in A minor
Claude Debussy La mer

Who’s Performing

Elmhurst Symphony Orchestra
Stephen Alltop Music Director and Conductor
Alexander Hersh Cello

What’s Interesting

Like many of his contemporaries, French composer Claude Debussy often found musical revelations in the sights and sounds of far-off and foreign locales. Spain proved to be a veritable fountain of such exotic inspiration: Debussy’s Ibéria is full of flamenco-flavored tunes and brilliant colors, and pairs best with a bottle of Tempranillo — cheers!

Cellist Alexander Hersh has quickly established himself as one of the most exciting and creative talents of his generation. Having made solo appearances with the Boston Pops and Houston Symphony, Hersh makes his Elmhurst Symphony debut with this performance.

Debussy’s La mer is not merely the composer’s magnum opus, but also one of the strongest connections between music and visual art. The score to La mer was first published in 1905 and featured Japanese artist Katsushika Hokusai’s The Great Wave off Kanagawa on its cover. Since then the two works, La mer and The Great Wave, have become a nearly inseparable pair.