It is always a delight to experience the performance of talented young musicians.
The Conservatory Fiddle Players, directed by Jose Delgado-Guevara, opened the concert Saturday evening for the PGSO. He accompanied them on violin and, still youthful but even more polished Indra Egan, expertly supported them on piano. They moved through nine traditional folk pieces with obvious delight. At the end, the audience offered the players well-earned recognition.
Symphony conductor, Kevin Zakresky, allowed that he is anticipating the possibility of recruiting future players for the violin section. In case he is right, these are their names: Kate Bandstra, Liza Barna, Natalie Beck, Isla Cadell, Alex Chance, Mateya Chuinard, Nicola Groom, Erik Hoffman, Cedar Jacob, Micah Jacob, Felix Nelles, Erin Rowe and Sofya Toyata.
The featured group of performers, Out of Alba, are well-established with their own large and loyal following. For almost two decades, Out of Alba has delighted local audiences and recorded their music . They are: Alan O'Reilly on the traditional Celtic drum (bodhran) and vocalist; Jim Sayle on violin; Carolyn Kelly on whistles (played like flutes); Jim Coyle on guitar; and Margaret Coyle as percussionist and vocalist.
Opening with Black is the Colour, the haunting sound of that traditional ballad was ably backed by sophisticated symphony notes rounding out the sound. Followed by Raglan Road, the gently-played guitar worked a soothing effect. That gentle introduction quickly gave way to the rocking sound of "fife and drum" with frenzied playing on Jim Coyle's The Bogles.
A beautifully-delivered interpretation of Robbie Burns' Auld Lang Syne was tenderly sung by Margaret Coyle. Nostalgia and longing are strongly associated with the sound of those familiar lyrics and music. Hearing it played by a full symphony served to heighten the emotional response.
Jim Sayle's Gravel Roads featured loud bodhran playing matched with strong timpani beats from the orchestra.
Following the intermission, the audience settled back to hear Out of Alba perform their music without orchestra backing. Following that set, the orchestra returned and the concert's second half played out in tender ballads and traditional songs. Many favourites had haunting refrains like Sweet Does Flow with lyrics expressing longing for the old country, and missed family and friends.
Vocalist Alan O'Reilly's interpretation of the traditional song When Will We Be Married was peppy, upbeat and performed with a backbeat like a marching tempo. It proved to be a particular favourite with the audience. In recognition of that, Out of Alba used it as their encore and sang it again at the end.
The closing piece was Kitimat Mountain. Before beginning, O'Reilly declared that it had been "an honour and a privilege to play with such fantastic musicians."
As if to punctuate its appreciation for the performance, the audience clapped and tapped along to the rhythm during the encore. The performers were rewarded with sustained, enthusiastic and loud applause.
