The Vancouver Island Symphony presentsSaturday, April 21, 7:30 p.m.
Guest Artists:
Elizabeth and Marcel Bergmann, Piano Duo
Conductor:
Pierre Simard
Pierre Simard
The Port Theatre
What a way to celebrate life! ALL life! Join in the Carnival on Saturday, April 21 at 7:30 as the Vancouver Island Symphony performs their final concert of this season at the Port Theatre. Like the Carnival parades of Brazil there will be joyous rhythms and fantasy with powerful, exciting, thrilling music. Beams Maestro Pierre Simard, “These are classical works that are really popular, music that is so joyful you forget it’s classical.”
In Brazilian style, with a little tango, maxixe, samba and Portuguese fado, the musical parade begins with Darius Milhaud’s surrealistic ballet score Le Boef sur le toit (English title - The Ox on the Roof: The Nothing-Doing Bar). The musical stage is set - a bar frequented by a number of characters: a bookmaker, a dwarf, a boxer, a woman dressed in men's clothing, a policeman who is decapitated by the blades of an overhead fan before he is revived, and others.
Then comes the French connection with the enchanting Concerto for Two Pianos by Francis Poulenc, here performed brilliantly by guest artists Elizabeth and Marcel Bergmann. “This is one of our favourites,” says Elizabeth. “It’s so much fun, with so much energy and rhythmic vitality – short phrases, snippets, witty. The second movement is literally a French modern day Mozart in character.”
Elizabeth and Marcel return to the stage after intermission for the imaginative and sensational Carnival of Animals composed by Camille Saint-Saëns. With eyes closed, listening to the music, you will see and hear the Royal March of the Lion, Hens and Roosters, Wild Donkeys, Tortoises, The Elephant, Kangaroos, and Aquarium, People with Long Ears, a Cuckoo, an Aviary, Pianists, Fossils, and most familiar, The Swan, followed by the grand Finale.
In Brazilian style, with a little tango, maxixe, samba and Portuguese fado, the musical parade begins with Darius Milhaud’s surrealistic ballet score Le Boef sur le toit (English title - The Ox on the Roof: The Nothing-Doing Bar). The musical stage is set - a bar frequented by a number of characters: a bookmaker, a dwarf, a boxer, a woman dressed in men's clothing, a policeman who is decapitated by the blades of an overhead fan before he is revived, and others.
Then comes the French connection with the enchanting Concerto for Two Pianos by Francis Poulenc, here performed brilliantly by guest artists Elizabeth and Marcel Bergmann. “This is one of our favourites,” says Elizabeth. “It’s so much fun, with so much energy and rhythmic vitality – short phrases, snippets, witty. The second movement is literally a French modern day Mozart in character.”
Elizabeth and Marcel return to the stage after intermission for the imaginative and sensational Carnival of Animals composed by Camille Saint-Saëns. With eyes closed, listening to the music, you will see and hear the Royal March of the Lion, Hens and Roosters, Wild Donkeys, Tortoises, The Elephant, Kangaroos, and Aquarium, People with Long Ears, a Cuckoo, an Aviary, Pianists, Fossils, and most familiar, The Swan, followed by the grand Finale.
Continuing on the zoological theme, but with a Canadian perspective come excerpts from A Canadian Carnival (and other Animal Crackers) by Cameron Wilson. The exact selections, to be conducted by Symphony Sizzle winning bidder John Wynia, will be announced from the stage. So which will they be? The Skunk, the Whale, The Gopher, The Moose, The Lawyer, The Lonely Loon or a Barnyard Dance Finale? Ah, the suspense!
Then it’s back to South America for the rich and dramatic Latin dance rhythms of Huapango by Mexican composer Moncayo. Toes will be tapping and spirits will soar! What a perfect and exciting performance for this final concert of this Music for your Heart and Soul season – music to fill hearts and souls with joy, hope and eternal optimism! And it’s LIVE!
Why go to Brazil when you can experience the exciting music of Carnival right in Nanaimo! Get your tickets while they last – by calling 250-754-8550 or online at www.porttheatre.com. Come early to the Pre-Concert Talk (6:30 p.m.) and hear Maestro Simard tell the stories behind the music. For more information visit: www.vancouverislandsymphony.com
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