Symphony dabbles in colorful sounds Nov. 6-7

Thu, Oct 29, 2009    to del.icio.us

GRAND RAPIDS — By the 19th century, composers began to play with sounds in the orchestra the way painters play with colors on their palate.

The Grand Rapids Symphony will perform three examples of this "sound play" at its next DeVos Classical concerts at 8 p.m. Friday and Saturday, Nov. 6-7, at DeVos Performance Hall.

The orchestra, led by Hungarian-born guest conductor Gregory Vajda, will perform a Hungarian-inspired program. The evening will feature three passionate and colorful masterpieces by Brahms and Kodály. The works display sounds that were innovative and fresh for their time, inspired by the popular "folk" music surrounding the composers.

The program will also feature high-octane violinist Jennifer Koh in Brahms' "Violin Concerto." Audiences will hear the gypsy music of rural Hungary throughout the work, that at one time was labeled "unplayable" due to its technical demands.

Tickets start at $18 and can be purchased by phone through Ticketmaster at (800) 982-2787, online at www.grsymphony.org by visiting any Ticketmaster outlet, or in person at the symphony office.