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Tuesday, January 6, 2009
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Orchestra soars in season finale |
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Written by Review VALERIE GILES
Special to The Citizen
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Monday, 19 May 2008 |
The PGSO under the direction of Leslie Dala and soloists Marion Newman and guest narrator David Adams perform Simon Cole’s One Song Universus on Saturday evening at Vanier Hall. (Citizen photo by Brent Braaten)
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For this concert, conductor Les Dala brought together a creative work of the 21st century contrasted with poetry from the 18th century and musical composition from the 19th century. The effect was like experiencing travel through time.
The Prince George Symphony Orchestra’s own Simon Cole, principal clarinet, is composer of the newly-composed work “One Song Universus” premiered as this concert’s first half. Its theme is a quest for a special song which, once discovered and learned, can harmonize the world. Imagine a ballad sung in operatic style interspersed with narrative. Mezzo-soprano Marion Newman performed the singing parts using her voice to express and project just the right emotion. Narrator David Adams deftly pronounced the spoken words, thereby adding texture to the performance and expanding the theme. Together, their interplay created a unique listening experience which enhanced enjoyment of hearing the orchestra. With the text printed in the program, the audience could follow and understand even better the lofty theme. “Dawn breaks over the land. They saw that the land was at peace and in harmony and would always be so as long as people remembered the song...” The secret turned out to be that the song lies within the hearts of each of us.
The concert’s second half was an ambitious performance of Beethoven’s Symphony No. 9 in D Minor, Opus 125 composed in 1824. Performed in seven movements, it began with that large, full sound associated with Beethoven’s compositions. This famous symphony is an emotional articulation of pleasant, soft episodes contrasted against bolder and more emphatic expression. The first movement ends with the orchestra’s production of an exciting crescendo of volume and tension.
The work continues with dramatic sound interspersed with highlights of individual orchestra sections in succession. By the third movement, the slow and gentle notes are reminiscent of a prayer set to music. The soft, serene notes were played to sound like a supplication.
In the finale, the beautiful and familiar notes of one of the world’s favourite pieces of music soar. Normally, the words to accompany Beethoven’s music were written by librettists. For this symphony’s final movement, the words are from the poem “Ode to Joy” written by Friedrich Schiller in 1785.
The guest soloists -- soprano Robyn Driedger-Klassen and mezzo-soprano Marion Newman -- blended their beautiful voices with tenor Marcel van Neer and baritone Andrew Greenwood. They were backed with full choir sound provided by the Cantata Singers as guest choir. Altogether, their voices gave “Ode to Joy” the exalted sound it deserves. The high-energy playing by the musicians involved every instrument and even engaged the cymbals and triangle.
The orchestra’s enthusiasm was infectious and the audience responded with appreciation for a highly enjoyable season-ending performance.
The 2008-2009 season is announced and launched.
It’s an ambitious 18-event schedule featuring the music of the Phantom of the Opera, Hansel and Gretel, and Frank Sinatra.
The National Arts Centre Orchestra visits next October.
Check dates and details on the website at www.pgso.com.
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Last Updated ( Wednesday, 08 October 2008 )
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