It took George Gershwin just days to write one of today’s most recognized musical compositions, “Rhapsosdy in Blue.” The Elgin Symphony Orchestra will perform this iconic Jazz Age masterpiece, along with Beethoven’s Symphony No. 7, and Coleridge-Taylor’s “Ballade in A minor,” at 7:30 p.m., Saturday, May 6, and 2:30 p.m. Sunday, May 7. The concerts will take place at the Hemmens Cultural Center, 45 Symphony Way, in Elgin.

Pianist Drew Petersen, a recipient of the 2018 Avery Fisher Career Grant and the 2017 American Pianists Award, will be featured. Guest conductor Chad Goodman, a candidate in the ESO’s search for a music director, will lead the orchestra. Goodman will host a pre-concert chat for ticket holders about the music and composers one hour prior to each performance.

Tickets are available at www.elginsymphony.org, and may also be purchased by phone from 10 a.m. – 3 p.m., Tuesday through Friday, by calling the ESO box office at 847-888-4000. Tickets start at $20. Student tickets are $10, and youth age 17 and under are free with an accompanying paid adult.