March 13, 2010 - Music for the Young at Heart
Laughter opened Music for the Young at Heart as Tuba soloist, Jim O’Briant, made several failed attempts to find, and bring on stage, the right size Tuba for the part he was to play: an elephant. Eventually Jim got it right and together with Piccolo soloist, Sharon Korzep who played the part of a fly, the two performers delighted the audience with a foot-tapping rendition of The Elephant and the Fly by Henri Kling.
Next on stage was the winner of the 2009 Navaroli Young Musicians Competition, Curtis Chan who confidently performed Mendelssohn’s Violin Concerto in E minor. Now in Grade 10, Chan has been playing the violin for 11 years and exhibits the composure of a seasoned performer. He executed this difficult piece with skill and talent earning him the awe of the entire audience and a long, loud, standing ovation at the end of his performance. It was a validation of the importance of this Young Musicians Competition which SVS now holds every year in order to encourage young, talented musicians and give them a chance to play with the orchestra before a large audience.
A complete change of pace followed Curtis Chan when lead SVS violinist and contralto, Beverly Olivier-Blount, took the microphone to sing some of her favorite Spirituals. Her powerful voice, singing with strength and beauty, moved many in the audience to tears. Her accompanist, Vincent Grimes, supported Beverly perfectly and being an artist in his own right, his performance on the piano was a joy to hear.
Intermission gave everyone a chance to catch their breath and wonder if the second half of the concert could possibly equal the first. Indeed, Music Director Anthony Quartuccio has a knack for planning the best of concerts and the second half opened with an old favorite – Prokofiev’s Peter and the Wolf. Narrator, Carroll Briggs, put into words each instrument’s role along with just the right amount of dramatic effect. Needless to say more laughter ensued as the story of Peter and the hapless wolf unfolded.
Too soon the audience was listening to the last piece of the concert – Bizet’s L’Arlesienne Suite No. 1. Upbeat, happy and fast paced, it was the perfect close to send everyone on their way with a spring in their step and more than one tune in their hearts!
Kudos to the soloists, and thanks to the Symphony orchestra for another great and memorable performance.
By: Christine Hopwood, Webmaster
Photo Credit: Ginger Fisher