JSO taking listeners OUT OF THIS WORLD

Two large-scale, captivating musical works will be presented in Jackson on March 17 when the Jackson Symphony Orchestra performs its fourth concert of the 2011-2012 season, titled Out of This World. Gustav Holst’s The Planets and Ludwig van Beethoven’s Concerto for Violin and Orchestra will be on the program, which begins at 7:30 p.m. at the Potter Center Music Hall, Jackson Community College, 2111 Emmons Rd.

A visual show will accompany the orchestra’s presentation of The Planets and the JSO’s talented Concertmaster and violinist, Xie Min, will perform the challenging Beethoven violin concerto.

“Brian Shaw, who is on the art faculty at Spring Arbor University, is developing a visual presentation to be played with The Planets that will explore not only the images we have of the planets and solar system but also the astrological meaning of the stars,” said Stephen Osmond, JSO Music Director and Conductor. “This is what Holst was originally after. He was in a way an amateur astrologist and typical of that era very influenced by Eastern cultures and religions.”

The Planets, composed between 1914 and 1916, has seven parts — each corresponding with the seven known planets at that time, excluding Earth. Holst described his work as a “series of mood pieces.” The Planets became extremely popular and the music has been imitated in Hollywood, most notably in the Star Wars movie. When the planet Pluto was discovered in 1930 (and later demoted in 2006), Holst declined to add another piece to his suite.

Beethoven’s Concerto for Violin and Orchestra was written in 1806 and is considered to be “the apex concerto for all violinists.” Remarkable proficiency in violin performance is required to perform this piece.

“It has always been my dream to play this music with an orchestra on stage and the JSO is giving me this wonderful opportunity to fulfill my wish,” Min said. “I have never had a chance to perform it with an orchestra before now.”

Some acclaimed violinists who have recorded Beethoven’s Concerto for Violin and Orchestra include Isaac Stern, David Oistrakh, Yehudi Menuhin, Arthur Grumiaux, Nathan Milstein, Itzhak Perlman, Anne-Sophie Mutter and Gil Shaham.

“I have listened to numerous recordings and all their performances have touched me in different ways,” Min said. “I cannot say who the best is. Maybe that is the beauty of Beethoven’s violin concerto. They all have put their own interpretations to this music. Some of them are more romantic, emotional; some are more pure and innocent; some are more lyrical and lovely; others are more enthusiastic and agitated. It totally depends on how you feel it.”

Great Lakes Caring is sponsoring this concert. The co-sponsor is Citizens Bank.

To order tickets, call 517-782-3221, ext. 118; visit http://www.jacksonsymphony.org/tickets_events/tickets.html; or stop by the orchestra’s downtown office at 215 W. Michigan Ave., Jackson. Tickets range from $18 to $32.

Ticket holders are invited to attend the complimentary and highly acclaimed pre-concert lecture series hosted by Dr. Bruce Brown, JSO’s Composer-in-Residence. Called Backstage Glimpses, the lectures take place at 6:30 p.m. in the Federer Rooms off the main floor lobby in the Potter Center. Allegiance Health sponsors Backstage Glimpses.