IPO Welcomes Guest Soloists for Nov. 17 Performance in Ozinga Chapel

The Illinois Philharmonic Orchestra (IPO), in residence at Trinity Christian College, continues its 41st year of bringing beautiful music to the Southland with its upcoming program “Chamber Gems: A Musical Journey” on Saturday, Nov. 17.

Maestro Stilian Kirov leads the orchestra into a musical journey throughout the night. The night begins in England with Elgar’s Serenade, to the Czech Republic with Neruda’s Trumpet Concerto in E-flat, then to Norway with Grieg’s Holberg Suite. The jewel in the crown is Shostakovich’s Piano Concerto No. 1 performed by Bulgarian guest soloists Nadejda Tzanova, piano and Peter Makedonski, trumpet.

Kirov expressed excitement for this upcoming program, “This is a concert that involves mainly strings, but it is also fascinating to witness the unlimited orchestral colors the composers were able to create through their musical genius,” he said. “It is really a program of mostly exciting discoveries that I am sure our audiences will love.”

The concert will feature two prominent and internationally award winning Bulgarian guest soloists Nadejda Tzanova, piano and Peter Makedonski, trumpet.

Tzanova has been awarded over 20 prizes and honors including: “Hopes, Talents, and Masters” in Albania; “Zeiler” in Greece; and “Valentino Buki” in Italy, just to name a few. Makedonski is a laureate of numerous competitions including National Competiton for Singers and Instrumentalists, Young Musical Talents, Ohrid Pearls, and many more.

Kirov said, “They bring first of all a fantastic program with Shostakovich’s First Piano Concerto and Neruda’s Trumpet Concerto. They bring their outstanding artistry and exciting music making. Their duo has been named Ensemble of the Year in Bulgaria. They are prize-winners of many competitions, received many awards, and are truly extraordinary artists.”

Kirov, who also hails from Bulgaria, describes the personal connection he has to one of the soloists. “Peter Makedonski and I go way back as we went to the same music high school in Bulgaria. I believe we even played few times in the school orchestra together, so this adds another very personal exciting aspect as well.”

The upcoming concert has something that all music lovers alike can enjoy. “We have music by some great romantic composers, like Greig and Elgar, but also some more ‘edgy’ pieces like Shostakovich’s Piano Concerto No. 1, as well as, some music of the more distant past like Neruda’s Trumpet Concerto, which is very much in the classical style. I am very much looking forward to this exciting evening,” Kirov said.

Concert single tickets start at $27 in advance. Student tickets are $10, and group tickets are available with a minimum of seven patrons. Ticketing fees may apply. New subscriber rates of up to 40% off are still available for 3, 4, 5 or all 6 concert packages.