Violinist Calvin Dyck and the Abbotsford Youth Orchestra (AYO) present their spring concert, titled Carmen, on Friday, June 7.
The concert begins at 7 p.m. at the Abbotsford Arts Centre, 2329 Crescent Way.
The program will include Gypsy tunes, folk tunes from Ireland and Vienna, a fun collection of fiddle tunes called Fiddler’s Stew, and the famous Benny Goodman tune Sing, Sing, Sing.
All three divisions of the AYO will perform Moonlight Tango and the Overture to the Royal Fireworks music by Handel.
The AYO String Quartet will be featured in an upbeat movement by Felix Mendelssohn, and the first half concludes with the energetic Orange Jam by Jeffery Bishop.
The highlight of the concert is an exciting and visceral version of Bizet’s Carmen arranged by Shchedrin. The multi-movement work is for strings and 27 percussion instruments and was written for Shchedrin’s wife Maya, a prima ballerina.
Bizet’s melodies are reclothed in a variety of fresh instrumental colours, set to new rhythms and often phrased with a great deal of sly wit.
The original production was slated to appear at Expo 67 in Canada, but the Soviets would not allow it. In recent years it has become a celebrated work.
“Is it a true masterpiece, staying true to the spirit of Bizet’s music, with engaging melodies, creative orchestration and great emotional depth,” Dyck said.
The suite will be danced by ballerinas from the Fraser Valley Academy of Dance, choreographed by artistic director John Carney. The academy has had several graduates go on to professional programs such as the Royal Winnipeg Ballet.
Tickets for the concert are available at calvindyck.com.
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