National Youth Orchestra of Canada

"The National Youth Orchestra of Canada has proudly represented our country on the world stage since its formation in 1960. Their performances are on the level of any professional orchestra in the country due to intensive training and youthful energy. We believe Sibelius' Symphony No. 2 captures the ruggedness and stark beauty of the Canadian Shield as well as it does the landscape of his native Finland. We are sure you will feel as inspired by this stirring work as we are." -James Campbell

Saturday, July 20 | 7:00 pm

Charles W. Stockey Centre for the Performing Arts

About the Performance

"The National Youth Orchestra of Canada has been representing Canada on the world stage since it was founded in 1960. Being on the faculty for over a decade, I know how competitive it is to win a spot in this prestigious group and how intensely each work is rehearsed. I am proud to invite the orchestra to Parry Sound, especially since I was an 18-year-old member when they last programmed the Sibelius 2nd Symphony. I will never forget how, even back then, this rugged music rattled my Canadian bones." -James Campbell

Naomi Woo; conductor

D’un matin de printemps                                                                Lili Boulanger

                                                                                                                   (1893-1918)

La valse (a choreographic poem for orchestra)                       Maurice Ravel

                                                                                                                    (1875-1937)

Ravel wrote: “You know my intense attraction to these wonderful rhythms and that I value the joie de vivre expressed in the dance.  

Set in an imperial court, about 1855. Through whirling clouds, waltzing couples may be faintly distinguished. The clouds gradually scatter: one sees an immense hall peopled with a whirling crowd. The scene is gradually illuminated. The light of the chandeliers bursts forth.”

Symphonic Metamorphosis of Themes by  

Carl Maria von Weber                                                                   Paul Hindemith

     Allegro                                                                                                    (1895-1963)

     Scherzo moderato-Lively

     Andantino

     March

INTERMISSION 

Symphony No. 2 in D major, Op.43                                               Jean Sibelius

                                                                                                                    (1865-1957)

Allegretto

Finnish composer Sulho Ranta said, “There is something about this music that leads us to ecstasy; almost like a shaman with his magic drum”.

Tempo Andante, ma rubato

Critic Robert Kajanus wrote: “This movement strikes one as the most broken-hearted protest against all the injustice that threatens to deprive the sun of its light and our flowers of their scent.”

Vivacissimo

He also wrote:

“The scherzo gives a picture of frenetic preparation. Everyone piles his straw on the haystack, all fibers are strained.”

Finale

And: The finale develops towards a triumphant conclusion intended to rouse in the listener a picture of lighter and confident prospects for the future.”

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