Ottawa’s Parkdale United Church Orchestra, led by new music director and conductor John Kraus, knocked it out of the park on Nov. 19 with their most formidable live performance for the reason that begin of the pandemic.
What you missed?
Underneath the theme of A Evening on the Motion pictures, the orchestra instantly commanded the viewers’s consideration with the bellowing timpani from Richard Strauss’s Additionally sprach Zarathustra, popularized by its use within the movie 2001: A Area Odyssey. After a unbelievable rendition of Salute to the Cinema, organized by Carl Strommen, this system featured dynamic suites that transported listeners into the cinematic worlds of The Phantom of the Opera, Schindler’s Listing, James Bond, and others. Using many auxiliary devices – triangle, drums, xylophone, cymbals, and chimes – saved the present contemporary and helped to seize the distinctive components of every movie. The orchestra rounded out the night time with an Empire Strikes Again medley, which re-emphasized the intro’s timpani for an extremely satisfying conclusion.
John Kraus, the Parkdale United Church Orchestra’s new music director and conductor. Photograph: Zenith Wolfe.
The group orchestra is generally composed of newbie musicians, however the technical excellence they demonstrated on Nov. 19 might have satisfied listeners in any other case. They appeared to settle right into a groove midway by means of, because the brass devices grew to become louder and extra assured, and the violins improved their synchronization with different sections. Coupled with the smaller venue and occasional jokes or feedback from Kraus between works, the movie theme and native origin of the musicians made the live performance really feel private and approachable. This was good for an viewers not essentially accustomed to the orchestra expertise.
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Two small gripes
Placing the percussion on the left facet of the room – vital given the form of the church corridor – made them overpower the brass part every now and then. Moreover, the Lord of the Rings suite was fairly lengthy (very similar to the movies!) and never as dynamic compared to the opposite suites.
Left to proper: Jackson Kelly (xylophone, auxiliary), Owen Stanton-Kennedy (percussion), Kyle Doucette (percussion, auxiliary). Photograph: Zenith Wolfe.
The orchestra’s in any other case astounding efficiency makes it laborious to not advocate attending one among their future reveals.
The Parkdale United Church Orchestra’s subsequent live performance, French Delicacies, can be held on the Parkdale United Church (Ottawa) on Feb. 18, 2023. Tickets are $10 for college kids and $15 for adults upfront, or $20 on the door. www.parkdaleorchestra.ca
