Maestro Kirk Muspratt Celebrates 20 Years with New Philharmonic at the MAC in October
New Philharmonic, under the baton of Maestro Kirk Muspratt, opens its 2024-2025 Season with “Ravel & Mahler,” at the McAninch Arts Center (MAC) with performances 7:30 p.m. Saturday, October. 5 and 3 p.m. Sunday, October 6.
In the first half of the program, pianist Winston Choi joins Maestro Muspratt and New Philharmonic for Ravel’s Piano Concerto in G Major. Mahler’s Symphony No. 1 in D Major comprises the second half of the program. A free MAC chat precedes both performances beginning one hour prior to performance. WDCB 90.9FM Chicago’s Home for Jazz, is the Media Sponsor for these performances.
These performances mark Maestro Muspratt’s 20th year as conductor and music director of the award-winning New Philharmonic. Muspratt’s contract with New Philharmonic was recently extended through the 2025-2026 season. “It’s been an honor and a thrill to be able to conduct the world class musicians of New Philharmonic and share the joys of classical music with MAC audiences over two decades. I can’t wait to see what exciting things lie in store for all of us as we continue down this classical music road together,” says Muspratt.
Muspratt wanted to begin his 20th anniversary season with a big powerful piece and Gustav Mahler’s Symphony No. 1 fits the bill perfectly. Mahler’s (1860-1911) Symphony No. 1 in D Major (sometimes referred to as “Titan: a symphonic poem in the form of a symphony” or Symphony Number One in Four Movements for Large Orchestra) was composed between late 1887 and March 1888. Mahler revised and reworked his first symphony over a span of 15 years. It is unique in that it incorporates auxiliary instruments not previously used by symphony composers. It also includes layering of instruments – multiple timpani, piccolos and horns, Bb, A, Eb clarinets, and bass and bassoons with regular and contra resulting in rich sonic color and sound. In order to perform the work, New Philharmonic will be expanding the size of its orchestra sections by nearly 15% for these concerts to accommodate the demands of this monumental work.
Maurice Ravel’s (1875-1937) Piano Concerto in G Major is considered a colorful tour-de-force composed with the influences of spirituals and jazz. Ravel began composing the piece in 1929 and finished in 1931. The work’s aim was not to be profound but to entertain with its complex, unblended relationship between the piano and orchestra. Guest pianist Choi, last seen at the MAC in 2019 for Saint-Saëns’ Piano Concerto No. 2 in E Minor, will be showcased in this concert. “There doesn’t appear to be anything Choi can’t play – and with virtuosic panache, to boot,” says the Chicago Tribune. The MAC’s piano cam will give the audience the opportunity to get an up-close view of Choi’s hands as he performs.
New Philharmonic presents “Ravel & Mahler” with guest pianist Winston Choi at 7:30 p.m., Saturday, October 5 and 3 p.m., Sunday, October 6 at the McAninch Arts Center, 425 Fawell Blvd., on the campus of College of DuPage. Tickets are $57. For tickets visit AtTheMAC.org or call 630.942.4000. The McAninch Box Office is open Tuesday – Saturday, noon – 6 p.m. and two hours prior to performance.
