The Sid Williams Theatre Society invites you to Vancouver Island Symphony’s Wave — a concert this Sunday that will satisfy the senses as Maestro Pierre Simard leads the musicians and technicians in a sensory experience that honours our Island community.
“We are linking the symphony to this community where we depend so much on water,” explains Simard. “So, we are bookending this performance with two water-related pieces of music.”
The concert opens with Chant of Water and Sky mentally impressing the sound, sight, touch and smell of the ocean.
“This is a very evocative piece by Canadian composer Glenn Buhr,” Simard explains. “In the second half of the concert we are performing the entire Water Music as composed by George Frideric Handel.”
Handel, who had a gift for alluring melody and colourful orchestration, composed Water Music for King George I and his royal river excursion along the Thames in 1717. In honour of Water Music, its royal roots, and the Queen’s Diamond Jubilee, Beltone Hearing Centre — the performance’s exclusive sponsor — will provide a celebratory cake in the concession for everyone to enjoy prior to the show.
Between the two water pieces, the audience will hear a brilliant performance of Mozart’s technically challenging Violin Concerto No. 4 played by Martin Chalifour. “Martin is the principal concertmaster with the Los Angeles Philharmonic,” adds Simard, “and he is an incredible virtuoso.”
For Chalifour, playing Mozart’s Violin Concerto No. 4 is like coming back to an old friend.
“I’m excited,” he says when talking about his March 18 performance. “It’s an exciting piece and challenging, the most challenging of all Mozart concertos.
"I grew up with it. I have performed it before, in my first solo with the L.A. Philharmonic and in various competitions in Moscow and the rest of Europe.”
Now in his 17th season with the L.A. Philharmonic, Chalifour has fond memories of Vancouver Island.
“I started music when I was four, and when I was a student I would come from Montreal to Courtenay for the summer (1975-77) to attend the Courtenay Youth Music Centre. It was while I was at the CYMC that I decided to become a professional musician — because of all the experiences shared there and the performance opportunities with the orchestra. I can’t wait to visit them again.”
Coming into its 17th Season, the Vancouver Island Symphony is under the artistic direction of Simard, and has become more passionate than ever in presenting great orchestral music to audiences.
The Vancouver Island Symphony with guest artist, violinist Martin Chalifour, performs at the Sid Williams Theatre on Sunday, March 18 at 2 p.m. in Courtenay. There will be a pre-concert talk from 1 to 1:30 p.m. Tickets are can be purchased at the Sid ticket centre, by phone 250-338-2430 or online at www.sidwilliamstheatre.com.
— Sid Williams Theatre