Warren Philharmonic will welcome spring

Staff report

WARREN

The Warren Philharmonic Orchestra will end its season Sunday with “Sweets of Spring!,” a concert filled with mystery, exotic landscapes and alluring dances.

The concert begins at 3 p.m. at Christ Episcopal Church, 2627 Atlantic St. NE. Tickets are $25 ($15 for students and free for children 12 and under with parent); call 330-399-3606 for reservations. Tickets also will be sold at the door.

The program will include Euryanthe Overture by Carl Maria von Weber‚ã; Symphony No. 8 in C major (Unfinished) by Franz Schubert; “Postcards From China” by Bright Sheng; “Orpheus” Overture by Jacques Offenbach; and three Strauss favorites: “Blue Danube Waltz,” “Tritsch Tratsch Polka” and “Radetzky March.”

Susan Davenny Wyner, music director and conductor, said the April concert will appeal to several musical tastes.

“‘Sweets of Spring’ puts our 50 magical musicians front and center with glorious orchestral transformations,” she said. “A dramatic overture by Weber, Schubert’s unfinished symphony, Offenbach’s high-spirited romp with its famous Can Can, and – this is a real surprise – Bright Sheng’s ‘Postcards From China,’ a fascinating kaleidoscope of colors and sonorities.

“And for the grand finale? Great Strauss waltzes, marches and polkas, just to keep us on our toes.”

Wyner said the compositions are unique.

“What excites me about this program is its range,” she said. “How differently and personally these composers use the orchestra’s 60 instruments to allure, tease, surprise, draw us into deep emotions or strange exotic landscapes. Totally fascinating and not to be missed – especially in the gorgeous acoustics of the church.”

Now in its 51st season, the Warren Philharmonic Orchestra is composed of some of the area’s finest professional musicians. In addition to two concerts for the public, the orchestra performs free school concerts for thousands of area school children each year.

The WPO sponsors an Art in Music contest each year for Trumbull County students, and the current winners’ artwork will be on display soon at Trumbull Art Gallery.

Television personalities Big Chuck and Lil’ John will headline the WPO’s fundraiser at Greene Eagle Winery on May 20. Big Chuck and Lil’ John will perform from 3 to 5 p.m., followed by the Take II Band. Ticket sales help underwrite WPO concerts and youth projects.