What could be more beautiful than a timeless classic?
This question was posed at the recent Okanagan Symphony Orchestra concert entitled Classic Beauty, featuring music written in or inspired by the “classical” style of the 18th century.
The concert began with a beautiful interpretation of The Dances of the Furies and Blessed Spirits from Gluck’s opera Orfeo ed Euridice.
Maestra Rosemary Thomson seemed to draw the sounds from the orchestra with her fingertips with delicate artistry.
Next was Luminous Night by Brett Lee.
This work was originally an exercise in orchestration for which the then student Lee used four of his own original songs as his material.
The resulting work is a beautiful sound painting in impressionistic style.
In a program that centered around classical beauty, the Tchaikovsky’s Variations on a Rococco Theme was clearly the highlight.
From the moment he set foot on the stage, soloist Ariel Barnes exuded confidence and ease.
In his hands, the cello rejoiced, lamented, danced and wept.
It was a rare treat to have an artist of such caliber perform in the Okanagan, and Barnes more than merited the spontaneous standing ovation he received.
To end the evening, the OSO performed Mozart’s Symphony No. 40.
Thomson conducted with finesse and the precision so necessary for a successful performance of Mozart’s work.
It was clear that every member of the orchestra had put care and attention to each phrase and cadence.
And the answer to “What could be more beautiful than a timeless classic?”
The response would have to be the Okanagan Symphony Orchestra’s most recent offering of an entire evening of tasteful and elegant music.
It was indeed a concert of classic beauty in every sense.