May 28th - Civic Orchestra of Victoria, Greatest Hits
Hi friends,
It's time again, for me to play another concert; the last one of the season with the Civic Orchestra of Victoria. I will once again be leading the second violins, and this time, we're playing some of classical music's greatest hits. I don't have a lot to say about most of them, because they're just so well known that it's as though they have always existed, but I can tell you a little bit about my history with each one.
Copland – Fanfare for the Common Man
There's something just so appropriate about this being programmed on a community orchestra concert. It's an homage to ordinary people, doing ordinary things, who collectively make up the society that we live in. It's for each and every one of us, as we do our best to exist in this world.
Mozart – Overture to The Magic Flute
I honestly can't remember whether I've actually played this before or whether I've just heard it in every single radio or television commercial advertising an opera company that I've ever heard. Either way, it's Mozart opera, so it's excellent by definition.
Elgar – Nimrod (from Enigma Variations, Op 36 No. 9)
I played this for the first time in high school. It's gorgeous, and it's Elgar at his best. The melody, when you get it, is fleeting; you enjoy it when you have it and then let it go, becoming the sea instead of the boat.
Rimsky-Korsakov – Capriccio Espagnol, Op. 34
The last time I played this was something like 25 years ago, I was in the second violins then, and I'm there again now. It's a really fun piece, for the dance rhythms, for the funky pizzicato and bowing techniques, and for listening to the horns at the start of the second movement.
Humperdinck – Hansel and Gretel, Prelude
This is the only piece on this concert that is new to me! I had never even heard of it before it got programmed here. Maybe it's more popular in Canada than in the US, or maybe I just live under a rock, I don't know. Either way, it's really really German. It's like if Wagner lived inside a mechanical cuckoo clock. Put on your lederhosen and give it a listen.
Marquez – Danzon No. 2
I have written about playing Danzón No. 2 in this newsletter at least 3 times now and I am still not tired of this piece. This is the official dance of Cuba, having migrated to Veracruz. It's a party. Who doesn't like making a party happen on a stage?
The concert is at 2pm on May 28th, at Oak Bay High School. Get your tickets here.
Masks are optional for this concert, as they are for most places in British Columbia now. I'll still be playing in a mask, and if you do come, I'd encourage you to wear one. There are still a good number of people going to the hospital every week with this; that number isn't going up, but it'd sure be a lot better if it went down.
As always, thanks for listening.
It's time again, for me to play another concert; the last one of the season with the Civic Orchestra of Victoria. I will once again be leading the second violins, and this time, we're playing some of classical music's greatest hits. I don't have a lot to say about most of them, because they're just so well known that it's as though they have always existed, but I can tell you a little bit about my history with each one.
Copland – Fanfare for the Common Man
There's something just so appropriate about this being programmed on a community orchestra concert. It's an homage to ordinary people, doing ordinary things, who collectively make up the society that we live in. It's for each and every one of us, as we do our best to exist in this world.
Mozart – Overture to The Magic Flute
I honestly can't remember whether I've actually played this before or whether I've just heard it in every single radio or television commercial advertising an opera company that I've ever heard. Either way, it's Mozart opera, so it's excellent by definition.
Elgar – Nimrod (from Enigma Variations, Op 36 No. 9)
I played this for the first time in high school. It's gorgeous, and it's Elgar at his best. The melody, when you get it, is fleeting; you enjoy it when you have it and then let it go, becoming the sea instead of the boat.
Rimsky-Korsakov – Capriccio Espagnol, Op. 34
The last time I played this was something like 25 years ago, I was in the second violins then, and I'm there again now. It's a really fun piece, for the dance rhythms, for the funky pizzicato and bowing techniques, and for listening to the horns at the start of the second movement.
Humperdinck – Hansel and Gretel, Prelude
This is the only piece on this concert that is new to me! I had never even heard of it before it got programmed here. Maybe it's more popular in Canada than in the US, or maybe I just live under a rock, I don't know. Either way, it's really really German. It's like if Wagner lived inside a mechanical cuckoo clock. Put on your lederhosen and give it a listen.
Marquez – Danzon No. 2
I have written about playing Danzón No. 2 in this newsletter at least 3 times now and I am still not tired of this piece. This is the official dance of Cuba, having migrated to Veracruz. It's a party. Who doesn't like making a party happen on a stage?
The concert is at 2pm on May 28th, at Oak Bay High School. Get your tickets here.
Masks are optional for this concert, as they are for most places in British Columbia now. I'll still be playing in a mask, and if you do come, I'd encourage you to wear one. There are still a good number of people going to the hospital every week with this; that number isn't going up, but it'd sure be a lot better if it went down.
As always, thanks for listening.
Don't miss what's next. Subscribe to Melinda Minch Music: