- [Announcer] This program is made possible by Sid and Flo Banwart.

(somber orchestral music) - Welcome to "Seasons at the Cathedral" with the Peoria Symphony Orchestra.

I'm George Stelluto, your host and conductor for this delightful program of music from Peoria's beautiful cathedral of St. Mary of the Immaculate Conception.

Many thanks to Bishop Louis Tylka, the cathedral staff, WTVP PBS, and Sid and Flo Banwart for making this performance and broadcast possible.

Our program features music of the Baroque era with one notable exception, Renaissance composer Maddalena Casulana lived and worked in Venice in the late 1500s.

Isabella de' Medici supported her creative work and helped her achieve success and recognition.

In fact, she is the first woman composer in the history of Western music to have her music printed and published.

On her dedication page, Isabella de' Medici she wrote, "I want to show as much as I can that the gifts of intellect and artistry are not solely the domain of men."

Her Motet, "Ben Venga Il Pastor, Welcome the Shepherd," is arranged here for strings.

In creating this arrangement, I was inspired to write a short fugal musings in the Baroque style, and based on her original material as an homage to her.

(audience applauding) (somber orchestral music) (somber orchestral music continues) (somber orchestral music continues) (classical music) (classical music) (classical music) (classical music) (classical music) (classical music) (audience applauding) (audience continues applauding) - Our next composer needs no introduction.

The great Baroque composer, Johann Sebastian Bach, composed his Orchestral Suite in B Minor in Leipzig in the year 1738 and 1739.

Written for flute, strings, and continuo, it is a collection of mostly French dances with a few of German and Polish origin thrown in for good measure.

Solo flutist Justina Chu joins the PSO strings for this poignant and beautiful work.

(classical music) (classical music continues) (classical music continues) (classical music) (classical music) (classical music) (classical music) (classical music) (classical music) (classical music) (classical music) (classical music) (classical music) (classical music) (classical music) (bright orchestral music) (bright orchestral music continues) (audience applauding) (audience continues applauding) - Now we come to one of my favorite pieces on one of my favorite instruments.

When I first heard the "Concerto Saint Mark" by the Venetian Baroque composer, Tomaso Albinoni, I was overwhelmed by its soaring beauty, joyous verve and musical light.

Performed here on the piccolo trumpet by Sarah Carrillo, it's the perfect piece for a cathedral in whatever century one finds oneself.

(bright orchestral music) (bright orchestral music continues) (bright orchestral music continues) (classical music) (classical music) (classical music) (bright chamber music) (audience applauds) (audience applauds) (audience applauds) (audience applauds) (audience applauds) (audience applauds) - Antonio Vivaldi's Masterpiece, "Le quattro stagioni," "The Four Seasons" ranks with Beethoven's "Fifth Symphony" as one of the most recognizable musical works of all time.

A collection of four violin concerti, it takes us on a journey through the Italian countryside in spring, summer, fall, and winter.

On this journey, we encounter birds, insects, shepherds, dogs, other animals, chilly winter adventurers, storms, and a fox hunt.

But don't worry, the fox gets away.

We also come upon a party in the country where maybe a few revelers might have partied a bit too much.

Well, all these musical descriptions are so vivid, you might find yourself running for cover during the storms.

Virtuoso solo violinist Rong-Yan Tang plays the musical poet to our energetic PSO Strings in continuum.

See how many images you can pick out.

("The Four Seasons: Spring" by Antonio Vivaldi) (bright cheerful chamber music continues) (classical music) (classical music) (classical music) (classical music) (audience applauding) (classical music) (classical music) (classical music) (classical music) (classical music) (classical music) (audience applauding) (classical music) (classical music) (classical music) (classical music) (classical music) (classical music) (audience applauding) (classical music) (classical music) (classical music) (classical music) (classical music) (lively classical music fades) (audience applauds) (audience continues applauding) - I hope you enjoyed "Seasons at the Cathedral" with the Peoria Symphony Orchestra, and that you will join us for our other performances, both live and on WTVP.

Our deepest thanks to the Peoria Symphony Orchestra musicians and staff, WTVP, PBS, Bishop Tylka, and the staff of the Cathedral of St. Mary of the Immaculate Conception, and our sponsors Sid and Flow Banwart.

I'm George Stelluto, music Director of the Peoria Symphony Orchestra.

Thank you for joining us, and please support the arts and public television programming like this in your community.

(bright classical music) (bright classical music continues) (bright classical music continues) (bright classical music continues) (bright classical music fades)