Published: November 25, 2009 08:50 pm      

Chamber orchestra show Dec. 12

The Maple City Chamber Orchestra, under the direction of guest conductor Gregg Thaller, will present a holiday concert Dec. 12 at 7:30 p.m. in Sauder Concert Hall on the Goshen College campus.

Several classical pieces by Peter Tchaikovsky, Sergei Prokiefiev, Johannes Brahms, and Mykola Leontovych will be performed.

From Tchaikovsky’s ballet “The Nutcracker,” the orchestra will perform three selections: “March,” “Russian Dance” and “Chinese Dance.” The melody of Leontovych’s “Carol of the Bells,” known also as the Ukranian Christmas Carol, is often heard over the airwaves and on television during the holiday season.

“Troika” is the best-known movement of Prokofiev’s “Suite from ‘Lieutenant Kijé,’” which is music compiled for the film “Lieutenant Kijé” in 1933. In other films, this music is often used in Christmas scenes and scenes involving snow.

The orchestra will perform Johannes Brahms’ “Variations on a Christmas Carol,” which was written for two of his friends to perform together.

Additional pieces in this performance will include “Fantasia on Greensleeves,” “Winter Wonderland” and “O Holy Night.”

The concert is free and open to the public. Donations will be accepted at the door.