Illinois Philharmonic Orchestra has much to celebrate, from its 41st season to the world premiere of the first piece by composer-in-residence Ben Ash, who won the Classical Evolve competition.

The Oct. 20 “American Originals” concert at Trinity Christian College’s Ozinga Chapel in Palos Heights is part of Southland Arts, Municipalities and Business Alliance’s Made in America Festival and includes the orchestra debut of violinist Simone Porter, who performs Erich Wolfgang Korngold’s Violin Concerto.

“The piece itself has a long connection to L.A. history, which is definitely interesting for me,” Porter said via phone from her Los Angeles home.

“I’m very cinematic. Korngold was known primarily as a film composer. That’s apparent in the whole makeup of the piece. There’s distinct imagery and narrative. He took a lot of melodies from his movie work and strung them together within this concerto.

“The first and second movements are absolutely gorgeous. Everything about them is so lush and juicy. I try to tap into that feeling of sinking into the piece and the sound. He does a lot of playful things with harmony.”

Korngold’s Violin Concerto draws from music he composed for the films “Anthony Adverse,” which won an Academy Award for best scoring, as well as “Another Dawn,” “Juarez” and “The Prince and the Pauper.”

“Opening nights have such a celebratory nature,” said Porter, who plays a 1745 J.B. Guadagnini violin on loan from the Mandell Collection of Southern California.

“The Korngold concerto has such pomp and circumstance, which is so dramatic. It’s a wonderful piece of music,” she said.

Porter, who was born in 1996, was 10 when she made her professional solo debut with the Seattle Symphony and 13 when she made her international debut with the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra in London.

She only has performed Korngold’s Violin Concerto with New York’s Albany Symphony in October 2017 and Pennsylvania’s Bucks County Symphony Orchestra in April.

“Every new encounter gives me so much inspiration. It’s a piece that doesn’t have the hierarchical soloist and accompanist so it gives a lot of opportunity for all players in the orchestra to have their voices be heard,” Porter said.

“It’s an excellent piece to be inspired by since you get to see the orchestra and conductor’s interpretation. I’m really looking forward to it.”

Illinois Philharmonic Orchestra music director Stilian Kirov, who is also music director for California’s Bakersfield Symphony Orchestra and New Jersey’s Symphony in C, conducts “American Originals,” which also features Leonard Bernstein’s “Candide” Overture and George Gershwin’s “An American in Paris.”

“Act II,” an opening night postconcert celebration, at 7:30 p.m. Oct. 20 at Midlothian Country Club, 5000 W. 147th St., includes Porter as the featured guest and the Ruth D. and Ken M. Davee Excellence in the Arts Award being presented to Merit School of Music of Chicago. Tickets are $100 per person.

“It’s really great,” Porter said about being a part of the kickoff to Illinois Philharmonic Orchestra’s 2018-19 season, which also includes “Chamber Gems: A Musical Journey” on Nov. 17 and “Handel’s ‘Messiah’ ” on Dec. 8.

Other concerts include “The World Beyond: Where Music and Nature Meet” on Feb. 9, “Russian Romantics” on March 16, “From Wit to Wonder: A Mozart Celebration” on April 27 and “Evening Glow: The Magic of Richard Strauss” on May 18.

Season subscriptions are available in packages of three concerts to seven concerts with new subscriber rates of up to 40 percent off.

Jessi Virtusio is a freelancer for the Daily Southtown.