Symphony to present sweet concert in time for Halloween
CONWAY — With Halloween quickly approaching, members of the Conway Symphony Orchestra are preparing to present two pieces of special music as a nod to the holiday. The orchestra will perform Symphonie Fantastique, by Hector Berlioz, and Symphonic Chocolates, by Maxime Goulet, at 4 p.m. Sunday at the Donald W. Reynolds Performance Hall at the University of Central Arkansas.
CSO Conductor Israel Getzov said Symphonie Fantastique, which was written by the French composer in 1830, is “a wild ride, full of imagination, passion and the grotesque.”
“It features spirits and witches,” he said. “It’s a perfect complement to the Halloween season.”
Symphonic Chocolates is a more modern piece, written by the Canadian composer who also writes music for video games. Described as “pure happiness,” Symphonic Chocolates was first performed in 2012 by the National Academy Orchestra of Canada. It features another Halloween tradition — candy.
Each suite of the symphony is designed to be enjoyed with a different type of chocolate — caramel, mint, dark chocolate and coffee.
“I discovered this piece, which has been presented in a number of performances around the world. It combines music with other experiences … taste, as well as sound,” Getzov said.
“This was the most fun I’ve ever had researching a piece of music … tasting all of those chocolates,” he said, smiling. Getzov said he and members of the CSO board sampled chocolates from several different sources but chose Kilwins’ of Little Rock.
Vicky Crockett, CSO general manager, said original plans were to make custom boxes of handcrafted chocolates from Kilwins’ available for purchase in the lobby for $4 each, but free of charge to season subscribers.
“But thanks to an anonymous donor who stepped up to cover the cost of the chocolate, we will be able to provide the boxes of chocolates free to our audience members,” Crockett said. “They will be available to the first 500 guests, but we will reserve boxes for subscribers.”
Getzov said the candy will be made available to those in the audience “before we play [Symphonic Chocolates].
“They are supposed to eat each piece of chocolate in sequence with the music so their taste buds are coordinated with the music,” he said. “So for all you chocolate-lovers out there, this is a rare chance to taste with your ears and listen with your taste buds.”
There will also be a “Golden Ticket” in one of the boxes for a special prize and a social media contest in the lobby for patrons to post photos with the CSO backdrop.
Season tickets to the Conway Symphony Orchestra are still available by calling the Reynolds Box Office, (501) 450-3265 and include Sunday’s performance, plus three others — Amahl and The Nutcracker on Dec. 9 and 10; Pictures at an Exhibition on March 3; and Strings Attached on April 21.
Individual tickets for Sunday’s performance are $5 for children and students of all ages, a $15 group rate, or $20 to $38 for adults. Tickets may be purchased at the box office, online at www.uca.edu/tickets or at the door of Reynolds Performance Hall, 223 Beatrice Powell St. on the UCA campus.
For more information, visit conwaysymphony.org or call (501) 269-1066.