An Evening of Musical Exploration Featuring Works by Claude Debussy and More 

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.

Audiences are invited to attend a pre-concert lecture by Assistant Conductor Eli Chen beginning at 5:45 PM in the Upper Gathering Area of ECRC.

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.

Buy Tickets and Learn More About This Concert

Tickets may be ordered online, by phone, or at the box office the day of the event. Senior and student ticket prices are available.

To purchase tickets visit ElmhurstSymphony.org or call the ESA office (Monday through Friday, 10AM-3PM) at 630-941-0202.

To hear the concert pieces ahead of time visit ElmhurstSymphony.org.

Elmhurst Christian Reformed Church is located at 149 W Brush Hill Road, Elmhurst, IL 60126.