Good Morning Spring . . .
The sun light is gorgeous this morning!
Had great fun yesterday hanging and labeling the two walls at Maker Place. I realized the walls are just big ole canvases that I like to design with art and labels pins and negative space. “Wine Glass” Rachel Gifford, Acrylic on Canvass.
We have a few of Rachel’s works. We invite you to view them at Maker Place on Station St. tomorrow, Thursday at 4 for a mini opening of Art Place at Maker Place.
I’ll be down at Maker Place hanging around . . . about noonish.
Find out why the Bunny Crossed the Road!
Good morning Oliver welcome to a fabulous day in paradise.
Little bit of pink decorator clouds first thing this morning and looks like a sunny day. Great to get out in garden.
Robin Bells “Block Letters” a mixed media of found objects, representing the letters of the alphabet, collaged onto tiny canvases, then mounted on a yellow background of letters and textures to create this fabulous piece for any home.
Available for collection at Maker Place.
The Ô-CELLI concert Friday evening, March 29th in the Venables, was the perfect endpiece to this season’s South Okanagan Concert Society’s series of concerts. Excellent choice, and it enchanted the sold-out audience! The eight cellists come from major European orchestras and chamber groups, and have toured much of the world since their formation in Belgium in 2010.
Ô-CELLI are superb musicians, and the program they put together featured much joyful music. Each piece was given a brief, relaxed introduction with a few helpful words to set the mood for a musical journey through sunny Italy, Spain, Argentina and Mexico (with hints of Cuba). The music was arranged for cello octet to highlight all the wondrous sonorities of that beloved instrument. The tonal, rhythmic and percussive possibilities were fully explored by musicians who know what they’re doing, love what they’re doing, and know how to delight, move and entertain their audience. And really, that’s why we go to concerts, isn’t it? And maybe also to hear something or someone new, a fresh interpretation, or a work or artist that touches deeply. In the case of this concert, it was all of the above, much to the joy of the listeners.
The first piece, the overture to Verdi’s opera, The Forces of Destiny, is a dramatic piece predicting the treachery and doom in the opera it introduces, so if not exactly setting the mood for a joyous evening, it did provide the octet with the opportunity to display their ensemble playing—which was precise and sensitive. And there was no doom in the wondrous music which followed.
The next three pieces brought to life the essential rhythms, melodies, and warmth and passion that is the essence of Spanish music—you could nearly smell the olives and the Mediterranean air. How the composers (de Falla and Turina, and the Frenchman Chabrier) captured this essence in their delightful compositions is part of the magic of music, but equally impressive is how Ô-CELLI gave it life.
The program continued after the intermission with Nina Rota’s famous and touching “La Strada” from Fellini’s 1954 film of the same name, followed by three pieces composed by the king of tangos, Argentina’s Astor Piazzolla. The second of those, “Milonga del Angel,” was for me a personal highlight of the evening, so soulful and beautiful, played exquisitely by the octet.
The contemporary Barcelona composer, Oriol Cruxient’s modern piece, “Fa Do,” featured some fascinating drumming on the cello itself to accompany the melodies shifting about through the various players.
The last piece, “Danzon #2” (1994) by the Mexican composer, Arturo Marquez, was performed spectacularly bringing its Cuban dance rhythms to life. Simply charming.
And yes, the standing ovation required an encore. And what a surprise! Queen’s “Bohemian Rhapsody” to cap off an absolutely unforgettable musical evening.
What a wonderful concert. Thank you, Ô-CELLI! And thanks to the members of SOCS who spend many volunteer hours to enhance life in our community, and special thanks to the sponsors who make it all so affordable. Concerts such as this truly enrich our lives.
South Okanagan Concert Society decided to blow the budget and bring in the irresistible O-Celli, cello octet, to complete the 2018-2019 concert season. That translates into eight (yes 8!) musicians drawn from prominent European orchestras from Paris to Belgium to Britain. This is a cosmopolitan ensemble which is represented by five different nationalities. Together they share a passion for the extraordinary richness of their instrument. Their concerts are characterized by originality and dynamic presentation.
The concert you absolutely should not miss takes place at the beautiful new Venables theatre in Oliver at 7:30 pm on Friday, March 29, 2019. Tickets are on sale at www.venablestheatre.ca or at the box office Tuesdays to Thursdays from 10 to 3 pm. Thanks to our generous sponsors, tickets are very affordable. Two or more tickets in advance cost only $21/ticket. A single ticket in advance is $23. Single tickets at the door are $25. Children and youth are encouraged to attend for $2.50.
Many of you fell in love with the cello when you experienced Sheku Kanneh-Mason’s solo rendition of Schubert’s Ave Maria at the wedding of Prince Harry. The instrument, closest to the human voice is one of the few which carries being multiplied. When played together with others, the beauties of this intrument add up, giving birth to a unique, full vibration and exceptional sound.
Prepare to be taken on a fabulous journey through a repertoire of both original and arranged pieces. The cellists eagerly travel through a wide musical panel, ranging from Verdi to Piazzolla with sweeping nods to Nino Rota and Marquez.
stay and enjoy a post concert no host reception in the glittering foyer and meet the musicians in a relaxed atmosphere. There will be a nominal fee for beverages. Appetizers will be provided as a good will gesture. This is where you can learn more about the upcoming concert series planned for next year and take advantage of some exciting economic incentives (bring cheque books or credit cards) when you order your tickets for next year.