The Okanagan Symphony Orchestra (OSO) ends its 2013-2014 season Sunday in Vernon with a musical celebration that coincides with Asian Heritage month.
Asian Celebration features music from a rich and colourful tradition, from the folk songs of Korea and the Philippines to a performance by celebrated Chinese-born, Canadian-raised violinist Yi-Jia Susanne Hou.
“We are really looking forward to ending our season with a fun concert that celebrates our Canadian Asian heritage,” said OSO music director Rosemary Thomson. “Guests will experience several Asian cultures appearing on stage with our orchestra, and as always we’ll have a few surprises.”
Hou returns to the North Okanagan stage since her appearance at Sparkling Hill Resort in September last year and with the OSO in 2012, where she performed on a 300-year-old Giarneri crafted violin worth $6 million. On loan from the Stradivari Society of Chicago, Hou played her last concert on the violin, once owned by famed violinist Fritz Kreisler, with the London Symphony Orchestra in November.
For this performance with the OSO, she brings an ancient Chinese legend to life in Chen and He’s Butterfly Lovers Violin Concerto.
Also performing will be Ensemble Liberta, a wind and string ensemble from Kelowna’s twin city of Kasugai, Japan, who will celebrate their heritage. The concert concludes with Toyama’s Rhapsody for Orchestra, featuring the Yamabiko Taiko drummers in a finale guaranteed to end the OSO’s season with a bang.
“We’ve had a great season with fantastic guest artists, a great partnership with Opera Kelowna, celebrating the Okanagan Symphony Youth Orchestra’s 25th season, and working with Shane Koyczan in his first ever appearance with an orchestra,” said OSO general manager Scott Wilson.
“Our Asian Celebration is a great way to end off a season filled with so much great live entertainment; all put together by our music director Rosemary Thomson and the Okanagan’s own professional orchestra.”
Asian Celebration takes the stage at the Performing Arts Centre Sunday at 7 p.m. A pre-concert talk takes place one hour before the performance. Tickets are available at the Ticket Seller box office at the centre. Call 250-549-7469 or order online at www.ticketseller.ca.
