When the program includes one of the most famous pieces of music of the last 200 years, what do you play with it ? That was the dilemma for Mark Russell Smith when he planned this weekend's concerts for the Quad City Symphony Orchestra - what would go well with Beethoven's 9th Symphony.
The conductor and music director says one of his choices is the premier of a piece by Chicago composer James Stephenson. He incorporated poetry by Friedrich Schiller, who's poetry is also included in the Beethoven symphony, plus some written by Quad Cities poet Dick Stahl.
Audiences this weekend can also look forward to a rarity at orchestral concerts - an a cappella piece. Smith says the Augustana Choir will perform "Peace on Earth" by Arnold Schoenberg.
The Quad City Symphony will perform Saturday night at the Adler Theater in Davenport, and Sunday afternoon at Centennial Hall in Rock Island.
