Classical Music in Springfield
The Springfield-Greene County area has a vibrant and thriving fine and performing arts community. For the classical music lover, there are several ensembles that can satisfy one's taste for the classics.
The world-class Springfield Symphony Orchestra, for example, has an extensive repertory and frequently features internationally-renowned guest performers. Their season runs from September through May, and they perform at the Juanita K. Hammons Hall for the Performing Arts. Tickets range from $10 for students to $30 for adults with season tickets also available. If you are unable to attend a concert, you can listen to the performances on KSMU Ozarks Public Radio the first and second Wednesdays after the concert at 10 a.m. Additionally, local cable company Mediacom regularly videotapes performances, which are then aired on cable channel MC22.
Formed in 2005, the Springfield Drury Civic Orchestra provides free performances on the campus of Drury University, at Hammons Hall, Evangel University, and churches throughout the southwest Missouri region.
The Drury Chamber Orchestra is made up of members of the Springfield Drury Civic Orchestra and also provides free concerts in the local area. DCO's concert season runs from September through April. Each year, they collaborate with Drury's Theater Department in performances of Prokoviev's Peter and The Wolf. Drury also has a chamber music ensemble, Concert Choir, and an Opera Workshop that perform throughout the year.
Evangel University also has several music ensembles that perform in the local community.
If you are unable to attend these events during the regular concert season, never fear. The Springfield-Greene County Library District has a large selection of classical music CDs and DVDs that are available year-round!
Here are a few CDs in the Library District's collection that represent works that were performed within the Springfield-Greene County community during the 2011/2012 concert season:
- Beethoven's Symphony No. 4 in B flat major
- Brahms' Concerto for Violin and Orchestra in D major
- Brahms' Hungarian Dances No. 5
- Alberto Ginastera's "Estancia"
- Mozart's Haffner Symphony
- Ravel's Pavane
- Tchaikovsky's Symphony No. 6, "Pathetique"
- Villa-Lobos' "Bachianas Brasileiras"
Here are a few classical DVDs from the Library District's collection that you might enjoy:
- "Bravo Pavarotti"
- "Classical Destinations: An Armchair Guide to Classical Music"
- Gilbert and Sullivan's "The Mikado"
- "Kent Nagano Conducts Classical Masterpieces: Brahms"
- Puccini's "Madama Butterfly"
- Mozart's "The Magic Flute"
- Stravinsky's "Firebird" Ballet
- Wagner's "Der Ring des Nibelungen"
- Verdi's "La Traviata"
- "Yo-Yo Ma, Inspired by Bach: Vol. 3"
Your children may enjoy these book and CD sets:
The Farewell Symphony by Anna Harwell Celenza; Illustrated by JoAnn E. Kitchel. In 1772, with summer long gone and winter fast approaching, Joseph Haydn, court musician to Prince Nicholas of Esterhazy, creates a symphony that finally persuades his oblivious employer to close up his summer palace and allow the staff to return home.
The Carnival of the Animals. Music by Camille Saint-Saëns; New Verses by Jack Prelutsky; Illustrated by Mary GrandPré. America's first Children's Poet Laureate and the illustrator of the Harry Potter books team up in a volume of rollicking original verses set to Saint-Saëns' classical composition that is complemented by a CD recording of the music and Prelutsky's readings.
The Young Person's Guide to the Orchestra: Benjamin Britten's Composition on CD Narrated by Ben Kingsley. Book written by Anita Ganeri. This elegant hardcover book-and-CD package introduces the sights and sounds of the orchestra. After listening to the sounds of each instrument on the CD - from mellow flutes to blazing trumpets - readers may turn to the accompanying book to learn more about the orchestra and its instruments.
To browse the Library's collection of classical CDs and DVDs you can do an author search using the composer's last name, or you can use one of the following subject headings:
If you are having trouble finding what you are looking for, the Springfield-Greene County Library District's friendly reference staff are always eager to help. You can contact them through our on-line "Ask a Librarian" service or by phone at (417) 883-5341.
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