The familiar nostalgia of music made for the movies or fantastic melodies for the silver screens. The Calgary Civic Symphony showcased two composing giants, Ludwig Van Beethoven and Leonard Bernstein. delighted us with beautiful and catchy pieces that leave us wanting to dance or to sing.
Chances are, even if never having never stepped into a concert hall, you have probably heard Beethoven’s music used in the movies, as his music is used quite extensively on the silver screen. It is Beethoven’s beloved (Pastoral) Symphony No.6 that has enraptured the silver screen, from Fantasia (1940) to Immortal Beloved (1944). Three different movements induce feelings of cheerfulness upon visiting the countryside, a gathering of jubilant country people to a fearful thunderstorm. The excellent intertwined sounds of soft wind instruments and the graceful and elegant strings will surely strike a chord of familiarity, up beat delight and rural serenity in any movie buff. The mood of uncertainty and anxiety during a thunderstorm echoed through the concert hall, creating a cinematic sensation of an film occurring on the stage. The Calgary Civic Symphony brings that extra pizzazz in their interpretation that certainly put a little extra jump in the audience’s step.
A highlight of the second set of performances included the oldie but a goodie, the Broadway hit West Side Story (1957). Leonard Bernstein was the highly acclaimed conductor of the New York Philharmonic Orchestra, with an enthusiastic ability to convey the effects and mood of his pieces and acting of the piece with his whole body. This piece marks a pivotal moment for American musical theatre, as the elegant and electrifying music, dance scenes and focus on social problems make the romantic musical between Tony and Maria a hit. The highlight was the unexpected and delightful presentation of the movement, Mambo of the Symphonic Dances from West Side Story suite. This upbeat piece was performed twice, an unexpected twist the second time. With the lights out and the concert hall pitch black, the lights came back up to reveal a cheerfully and colorfully dressed orchestra, with the conductor, Rolf Bertsch in colourful turquoise, the piece got the audience (including myself) to get up upon their feet and dance to this broad way hit!
Thanks goes to I want to thank Tokie Brideaux @CalMusicEvents for providing tickets for this excellent and uplifting event!