The Salmon Arm Rec Centre will be filled with the sound of classical music this Friday, Nov. 24 when the Kamloops Symphony presents Classical Companions.
This program features two of the world’s best known and loved composers of the Classical period – Franz Joseph Haydn (1732-1809) and Ludwig van Beethoven (1770-1827), as well as Bohuslav Martinu (1890-1959), a modern composer of music in the classical style.
Haydn remarked more than once that the happiest days of his life had been spent in London. It was there he composed 12 magnificent symphonies, works that form the culmination of over 30 years.
Symphony No. 103, nicknamed the “Drum Roll” symphony, was first played in March 1795 during the last London concert series in which Haydn participated.
Beethoven’s Symphony #2 was not immediately as popular as his first symphony when it premiered in 1803. While the first symphony was similar to the work of Mozart and Haydn, the second hinted at future greatness as he began to develop his own personal style.
Czech composer Bohuslav Martinu’s Oboe Concerto was written in 1955 for the Czech-born Australian oboist Jiri Tancibudek. It was commissioned by the Sydney Daily Telegraph in celebration of the 1956 Olympic Games in Melbourne.
He also premiered the work in London and Hamburg (1958), as well as Vienna and, surprisingly, Vancouver shortly thereafter.
And now to Salmon Arm, where Kamloops Symphony principal oboe and soloist for the concerto, Marea Chernoff will perform.
Chernoff began studying oboe in Vancouver at the age of 13. She holds a bachelor of music from UBC, an artist diploma from the Vancouver Academy of Music and a master of music degree from Boston University.
As a freelance musician, Chernoff plays principal oboe with North Vancouver’s Sinfonia Orchestra and has played with the Vancouver Opera Orchestra, Vancouver Symphony Orchestra, CBC Vancouver Radio Orchestra and several other groups. She is also a member of the Ad Mare Wind Quintet and Reed Trio.
Chernoff is on faculty at Kwantlen Polytechnic University, Capilano University, Trinity Western University, Douglas College and the Vancouver Academy of Music as well as maintaining a home teaching studio.
Since 2008, the Kamloops Symphony has presented a regular series of performances in Salmon Arm to a growing audience.
Each year, exciting new programs featuring both emerging and established Canadian soloists are provided.
The series is made possible through support from the City of Salmon Arm, the Columbia Shuswap Regional District, the Shuswap Community Foundation, corporate and media sponsors, and generous music enthusiasts.
This year’s Salmon Arm series also includes The Magic of Vienna on Jan. 13, and Absolute Grandeur on May 11. All performances are on Friday evenings at 7:30 p.m. at the SASCU Recreation Centre.
Last season’s Magic of Vienna performance was the most popular to date, leading to a schedule adjustment so that regular Friday nights could be offered. Season tickets are available until Nov. 24, at 10 per cent off the single ticket price. That’s just $73 for adults or $27 for youth/student series tickets.
Program and ticket information is available at www.kamloopssymphony.com.
Both season tickets and single tickets are available through Kamloops Live! Box Office by phone at 250-374-5483 or toll free at 1-866-374-5483.
