The Fraser Valley Philharmonic Society presents Mostly Mozart, June 11 at the UFV Theatre.
The orchestra will be directed by Maestro Clyde Mitchell, former resident conductor of the Vancouver Symphony (1991 to 2000) and Principal Conductor of the Chilliwack Symphony Orchestra (2010 to 2011). He’s also the current conductor and music director of Lions Gate Sinfonia and Youth Orchestra on the North Shore.
Mostly Mozart, and much of the Fraser Valley Philharmonic’s programme this year, is the creation of Chilliwack Maestro Leonard Camplin. Recipient of the coveted Canadian Forces Decoration and Clasp, Camplin has been the esteemed Conductor Laureate for the FVPS since 2008.
In keeping with his devotion to developing young artists, the concert will feature emerging solo artists violinist Jenny Choi, soprano Deanne Ratzlaff, as well as Elizabeth Seaman.
Choi, winner of numerous international awards, has performed as a soloist with orchestras throughout Europe and Korea. Ratzlaff is an alumna of Pieces of Eight, and the 2015 provincial champion in the Senior Vocal Variety of Performing Arts B.C. (PABC). Seaman was the 2016 representative of the Chilliwack Lions Club Music and Dance Festival to PABC in the Senior Classical Voice division.
“Mozart is my favourite composer,” Mitchell said. “One cannot go wrong choosing the composer of four concertos for the most beautiful instrument in the orchestra, the french horn.”
The evening’s well-rounded programme will juxtapose Mozart’s work with composers who influenced him, as well as those who were later influenced by him.
“I know the audience will love Choi’s performance of Mozart’s Violin Concerto No. 5,” Mitchell assured. “The concerto is lovely and sweet, and typically ‘Mozartean’ until the final movement, when we hear the Turkish-sounding music with its minor key,” he said. It’s fiery and foot-stomping, utilizing the unusual ‘Col Legno’ percussive string technique.
They’ll also perform what Mitchell describes as the “alluring” and “charming” Symphony No. 29 in A Major, with its mesmerizing opening and blazing horn finale.
The colourful orchestration of Franz Peter Schubert will be featured with his Symphony No. 5. Complementary works by Pergolesi, Henry Purcell and Antonio Vivaldi will also be heard.
Mostly Mozart runs June 11 at 7:30 p.m. at UFV Theatre. Tickets are $25 each, $20 for seniors/youth, available at Long & McQuade Chilliwack and King’s Music in Sardis. Call 604-316-2729 for details.