Like a second wave crashing on a Celtic shore, the music of the PGSO and Out Of Alba will once again wash together over the city. They joined creative forces last year, with sellout results, so tonight they are doing it again and doubling their efforts.
"Last year we performed five pieces together, just because it's complicated to arrange the music for symphony and Celtic ensemble, but now we have five more, so we will perform all 10," said PGSO conductor and artistic director Kevin Zackresky .
All 10 were originally composed by the Out Of Alba band members (primary songwriter Jim Coyle) and the PGSO commissioned composer Trevor Hoffmann.
"We don't lead them, we follow their lead. It is very complementary music to what they normally do," Zachresky said of the added music.
"It's pretty amazing actually," said Out Of Alba lead vocalist Margaret Coyle. "I'm sure you can imagine, for people who write music to hear an orchestra play with what you've created is pretty special. It's pretty powerful for even me, as the singer. It's a dream come true to have a symphony accompany you as you sing. To have that wall of sound surrounding you is a marvelous experience."
With such a thick repertoire now established, speculation has emerged about recording all 10 pieces for some kind of album or online offering, a tour, or dealing the charts out to other orchestras with which Out Of Alba would play. They are one of Western Canada's longest lasting and most beloved pop-Celtic groups. Their appeal extends beyond the Prince George region.
"They are very popular. I knew that going in. But I did not expect that we would have such a great time working with them," said Zachresky. "They are excellent musicians, but they are lovely and fun people to be around. And when the people in the audience and orchestra agreed - there was a lot of positive feedback after the last show together - I knew it was the right thing to do."
"Isn't he marvelous?," Coyle said of the maestro. "As long as we're making positive noises, we're delighted. For Out Of Alba this is a dream gig and we're honoured to work with such accomplished musicians."
Also on the stage tonight will be student fiddlers from the Prince George Conservatory of Music, under the teaching influence of PGSO concertmaster Jose Delgado-Guevara.
The concert happens at Vanier Hall at 7:30 p.m. Tickets available at CN Centre box office, Studio 2880, and at the door if supplies last.
