The University of Iowa Symphony Orchestra, conducted by William LaRue Jones, will perform works by Richard Strauss, Benjamin Britten, Patrick Harlin, and Felix Mendelssohn in a free concert featuring faculty pianist Uriel Tsachor at 7:30 p.m. Wednesday, Oct. 31, in the Main Lounge of the Iowa Memorial Union.

The program will feature:

• Till Eulenspiegel Lustige Streiche, TrV 171, op. 28 (R. Strauss)
• Peter Grimes: Four Sea Interludes, op. 33a (B. Britten)
• Rapture (P. Harlin)
• Piano Concerto, No. 1, op. 25, G minor (F. Mendelssohn)

Harlin’s piece was inspired by a phenomenon known as “the Rapture,” a near-crippling onset of emotion experienced by people participating in extreme cave explorations. In his notes, Harlin says, “What I did want to capture was the blueprint which I think is a fundamentally human experience, the onset of extreme emotion without a clear catalyst. As in extreme emotional states, elements in this piece are magnified and echo throughout.”

Since 1997, Jones has been professor of music and director of orchestral studies and conductor of orchestras and opera at the UI. In 2011 he received the distinct honor of becoming a Collegiate Fellow in the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences. His conducting schedule includes a wide array of professional, festival, collegiate, and student ensembles throughout North America, Latin America, Europe, and Asia, ranging from the Minnesota Orchestra and the Minneapolis Pops to the Penang (Malaysia) Symphony, the Orquestra Sinfonica do Theatro da Paz (Belem, Brazil), the Antofagasta (Chile) Symphony, and the Symphony Orchestra of Lucerne (Switzerland).

An active concert pianist and a dedicated pedagogue of a large international class at the UI School of Music, Tsachor has appeared in recitals in major venues in Belgium, France, Switzerland, Germany, Italy, Cyprus, Israel, Taiwan, Hong Kong, and numerous major U.S. cities. The winner of major competitions such as the Queen Elizabeth and Busoni, Tsachor is a graduate of the Tel-Aviv Academy and the Juilliard School, where he earned his doctorate.

The School of Music is part of the Division of Performing Arts in the UI College of Liberal Arts and Sciences. For accommodations at the concert contact the School of Music at 319-335-1603. For a UI arts calendar and details about upcoming events visit the new Arts Iowa website.