I've known the 5th Symphony of Tchaikovsky for years. Yet I am always surprised when early in the 2nd movement, I hear this: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_woqHc-any0&feature=related I always know it's coming and I'm always surprised. Go figure. Each time I speak about this work the people come and give me the ol' quizzical "I-know-I know-this-but-what-is-it?" look. Even I'm too young to know the popular version of Tchaikovsky's tune. But I had a father who was an amateur big band singer, and this was a highlight of his repertoire http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=y0-K3z7ozuc&feature=related Ray Eberle with Glenn Miller and his orchestra in 1939. And no, Ray Eberle was not my father. From Tchaikovsky in 1887 to Glenn Miller in 1949. A great tune is a great tune. Come to the Ohio Theater for this weekend's Columbus Symphony concerts, Friday and Saturday at 8. It's a great program: Weber   Overture to Oberon and the Dvorak Cello Concerto Op. 104, with Sara Sant'Ambrogio. Oh yes, and Tchaikovsky's Symphony 5 in e, Op. 64. Gunter Herbig conducts, always an occasion for great music making. If ever there were a "popular" program, this is it-never mind Glenn Miller. Saturday night's performance is broadcast live on Classical 101 Pre-concert talks on the 4th floor mezzanine at 7-where I'll tell you the whole story. P.S. Here's a bit of Sara, who was once my neighbor in New York. Her father, John Sant'Ambrogio is a Mensch and a regular visitor to the Lancaster Festival: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=s9zoU9toYoE&feature=results_video&playnext=1&list=PL2AB99BFB5A10F811
Christopher Purdy is Classical 101's early morning host, 7-10 a.m. weekdays. He is host and producer of Front Row Center – Classical 101’s weekly celebration of Opera and more – as well as Music in Mid-Ohio, Concerts at Ohio State, and the Columbus Symphony broadcast series. He is the regular pre-concert speaker for Columbus Symphony performances in the Ohio Theater.