Drama, power, panache on stage

The Okanagan Symphony Orchestra performs three works of the French romantic era on The Chase Masterworks Series the weekend of Nov. 24-26.

The concert titled The French Connection opens with a musical hunt and storm in Berlioz’ Chasse royale et Orage (The Royal Hunt and Storm). The horn call sets the fanfare-like tone and then three sets of timpani surround the orchestra in stereo bringing the sound of ferocious thunder onto the stage.

Internationally-renowned violinist Timothy Chooi is featured in Lalo’s Symphonie Espagnole for violin and orchestra.

Chooi is a two-time recipient of a rare violin from the Canada Council musical instrument bank, which puts valuable instruments into the hands of virtuosic performers.

He is currently playing a 1717 Windsor-Weinstein Stradivari violin valued at $5 million, which is his for three years. He and his brother Nikki can often be found on CBC’s list of the top 30 classical stars under 30.

The final work on the program is Camille Saint-Safins’ Symphony No. 3. It is nicknamed The Organ Symphony because the composer added the organ to the orchestra.

“This is music of power and panache” said OSOS music director and conductor Rosemary Thomson. “I have wanted to perform Saint-Safins’ Organ Symphony for years. The digital organs that are available now are fantastic and we are bringing in a really powerful instrument from Calgary to give this show the wow factor.”

The French Connection will be performed in Kelowna on Friday, Nov. 24 at 7:30 p.m.; in Penticton Saturday, Nov. 25 at 7:30 p.m.; and Sunday, Nov. 26, in Vernon at 7 p.m.

Tickets are available at: okanagansymphony.com.