SIU Symphony Orchestra to perform March 4 at Shryock Auditorium

CARBONDALE, Ill. — Featuring the works of German composers Ludwig van Beethoven and Max Bruch, the Southern Illinois University Carbondale Symphony Orchestra will present a concert, on Tuesday, March 4, at Shryock Auditorium.

The SIU Symphony Orchestra under the direction of Rossana Cauti, assistant professor of practice and SIU Symphony Orchestra director, will perform Tuesday, March 4, at Shryock Auditorium. (Photo of Rosanna Cauti by Amihere Benson; Añasco Mina photo provided)

The free, public performance, under the direction of Rossana Cauti, assistant professor of practice and SIU Symphony Orchestra director in the SIU School of Music, begins at 7 p.m. Cauti added this will be the first symphonic concert on campus since 2023, and will feature María del Mar Añasco Mina, a spring 2025 Master of Music graduate.

“The SIU Symphony Orchestra continues its tradition of delivering compelling and memorable performances,” Cauti said. “This concert is a must-see for classical music enthusiasts and newcomers alike, offering a night of profound storytelling through music.”

Cauti said the evening’s repertoire includes:

  • Beethoven’s Egmont Overture: Composed as incidental music for German playwright Johann Wolfgang von Goethe’s play “Egmont,” this overture is known for its dramatic intensity and expressive depth. The piece reflects themes of resistance and heroism, culminating in a triumphant conclusion.
  • Beethoven’s Symphony No. 5: Beethoven’s Fifth is instantly recognizable for its iconic four-note opening motif. The symphony takes listeners on a journey from darkness to triumph, culminating in an exhilarating finale that embodies victory and resilience. Its rhythmic drive and structural brilliance make it a timeless masterpiece.
  • Bruch’s Romanze for viola and orchestra, featuring Añasco Mina as soloist. Cauti said “this elegant and expressive work highlights the warm, lyrical qualities of the viola. Bruch’s Romanze is an elegantly crafted piece, characterized by rich harmonies and soaring melodic lines that showcase the instrument’s deep and soulful voice.” Añasco Mina’s interpretation “promises to bring out the full emotional depth of this enchanting composition.”

For more information, contact the School of Music at music@siu.edu.