Chamber goes for a concert with heart

A cardiac workout of sorts is one promise of this weekend’s Chamber Orchestra of the Springs “Heart and Home” concert.

First, soprano Rochelle Small Clifford tightens heartstrings with William Grant Still’s charming suite of songs “From the Hearts of Women.” Conductor Thomas Wilson was moved by Clifford’s “fantastic voice with its unbelievable range” to invite her here from New York.

Then Colorado Springs’ own Ian Buckspan challenges pacemakers in Carl Nielsen’s mercurial and passionate clarinet concerto. It’s so difficult “even big names don’t get into it until well into their careers,” says Wilson. He calls the 22-year-old Buckspan a musician of “uncanny technical ability.”

Other pieces flank the solo pieces. Flanking these solo pieces are Wagner’s tender “Siegfried Idyll” and Dvorak’s comfortably homey “Czech Suite in D Major.”

“Heart and Home” concert

When and where: 7 p.m., Broadmoor Community Church, 315 Lake Ave.; and  2:30 p.m. Sunday at First Christian Church, 16 E. Platte Ave.

Tickets: $17, $12 seniors 60 years and older, $5 students, at the door or by calling 633-3649.