Audience members will be serenaded by the Nanaimo Chamber Orchestra during its upcoming performance Vive le Concerto.
Bruce Farquharson, a member of the orchestra and vice-chairman of the board, said the June performance allows the winner of the annual Nanaimo Chamber Orchestra’s Concerto Competition for Young Musicians to showcase their talents.
The program features Mendelssohn’s Violin Concerto in D Minor, Edward Elgar’s Serenade for Strings in E Minor and African Suite written by Fela Sowande in 1955.
“We are doing three significant works,” said Farquharson.
Mendelssohn’s piece will be performed by this year’s competition winner Joanna Lee.
Lee won the competition earlier this spring.
She is a regular member of the chamber orchestra. She said performing as a solo artist is more pressure.
“I have the opportunity to be in front of the orchestra,” she said.
When playing Mendelssohn’s piece, Lee said she thinks about how he was just 13 years old when he wrote it and how it compares to her own accomplishments at that age.
“It is an amazing piece. I am glad to perform it in front of people as it is not as well-known,” she said, adding that it is very different from his very “infamous” concerto in E minor.
Lee said she is grateful to be the concerto competition winner and to be able to perform in front of Nanaimo residents. She is heading to the University of Alberta this summer to pursue a science degree.
“It’s been a pleasure to be part of the community,” said Lee.
The composition African Suite consists of five pieces for the string section of the orchestra, which includes the harp. It includes Joyful Day and Onipe from E. Amu and Lullaby and Akinla, folk melodies from Southern Nigeria, according the chamber orchestra’s press release. The final piece, Nostalgia is based on an original theme.
The Nanaimo Chamber Orchestra, directed by violinist Karl Rainer, performs Saturday (June 4) at 8 p.m. at Brechin United Church, located at 1998 Estevan Rd.
“One of the mainstays of the orchestra is Karl Rainer. He’s a fabulous teacher,” said Farqharson.
Tickets are $20 for adults, $5 for students or free for children 12 and under and are available at the door or in advance by calling the Port Theatre at 250-754-8550 or visiting www.porttheatre.com.
The orchestra is also currently selling season’s passes for its 2016-17 series of concerts. A pass, for three concerts, is $50 and will be available for sale at the door.
arts@nanaimobulletin.com
