The Cowichan Consort presents an evening of Beethoven and Brahms music, Saturday Nov 3rd at 7:30 pm. Yvonne Gillespie, much sought after pianist in our Cowichan Valley will perform as soloist in the Choral Fantasy by Beethoven with the choir and orchestra. Also featured will be Discovery Elem.School’s Chamber Singers directed by Odette Williams, who will perform the Contemplation Chant, Water is Wide, and No Man is an Island with the adult choir. The program, conducted by Robert Mari, is completed with the Second Symphony by Brahms.
Symphony # 2 by Brahms is often “twinned” to the Pastoral Symphony #6 by Beethoven, both beautiful, melodic romantic works. The 4 note theme opens the first movement and one will hear the french horns playing stirring melodic lines throughout. Dated in 1877, written in D major, Brahms uses gypsy music and folk tunes with melodies never ending. The last movement is cheerful, exuberant, and gives a triumphant closure. Beethoven’s Choral Fantasy Op.80 was first performed in 1808 along with the premieres of his 5th & 6th Symphonies. Needing a brilliant finale, he wanted a single work for chorus, piano, and orchestra with Beethoven himself played the piano part. The opening solo offers an improvisational style which he did, in fact, improvise at the premiere. Using the form of variations on a theme, these variations found in the Choral Fantasy, are deemed the early version of his familiar 9th Symphony variation theme “Ode to Joy”. Robert Mari has arranged the familiar song Water is Wide, and composed a processional “entrance” chant Contemplation Chant for our choir and children’s voices to sing. Yvonne Gillespie has arranged the popular song No Man is an Island which both choirs will sing together, accompanied by the orchestra.
Tickets are available from members, at the door, and Volume One Bookstore on Kenneth St. Adults -$20 and students under 18 -$10. Chr.Ref.Church 930 Trunk Road Duncan.
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