After 1001 nights, the virgin finally becomes Queen!
For our final concert of 2024, on Sunday December 14th at 8pm, the North York Concert Orchestra presents the enchanting story of Scheherazade, the young virgin Queen who cleverly persuaded the angry King to let her continue telling her intriguing stories and not kill her after their first night together. This delightful music by Russian composer Nikolai Rimsky-Korsakov will be joined by other “fairy tale” pieces such as: Wagner’s Prelude to “Tristan and Isolde” and Tchaikovsky’s “Swan Lake” Suite.
Richard Wagner
– Tristan and Isolde Prelude
Piotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky
– Swan Lake Suite (selection)
Nikolai Rimsky-Korsakov
– Scheherazade
Rafael Luz, conductor
Program Notes
The concert will be a richly emotional and evocative experience, filled with themes of love, enchantment, and adventure. Each piece offers a different kind of storytelling, brought to life through lush orchestration and expressive melodies.
The concert begins with Wagner's Prelude to Tristan and Isolde, a piece that immediately sets a tone of deep passion and longing. Known for its groundbreaking use of harmony, the Prelude immerses the audience in an intense, almost hypnotic atmosphere. The music is slow and deliberate, with chromatic melodies that seem to float and weave, never quite resolving, symbolizing unfulfilled desire. This hauntingly beautiful prelude creates a sense of anticipation and introspection, enveloping the hall in a mood of romantic, tragic yearning.
The program then transitions to the ethereal and enchanting world of Tchaikovsky's Swan Lake Suite. The selections bring to life the timeless tale of love, magic, and fate. From the iconic opening theme, which captures the ballet's mysterious, melancholic essence, to the lighter, more elegant dances, the suite showcases Tchaikovsky's gift for melody and emotional depth. The music moves seamlessly between graceful, delicate moments and powerful, sweeping passages, evoking images of swans gliding across a moonlit lake, royal courts, and enchanted forests. Each excerpt is a glimpse into the ballet's enchanting world, filled with both grace and sorrow.
The concert concludes with Rimsky-Korsakov's Scheherazade, a vibrant and thrilling orchestral suite inspired by The Arabian Nights. The piece opens with a bold, dramatic motif representing the sultan, followed by the sinuous, seductive solo violin theme of Scheherazade herself, who spins tales of wonder and adventure. The music is richly descriptive, painting vivid scenes of ocean voyages, bustling marketplaces, and romantic encounters. Each movement is a new story, filled with exotic melodies, dynamic contrasts, and intricate orchestration that captures the imagination. The finale brings the suite to a powerful and satisfying conclusion, with energetic rhythms and a triumphant orchestral flourish.
Overall, this concert would be a mesmerizing journey through stories of intense passion, fairy-tale romance, and thrilling adventure. It offers a perfect blend of introspective, delicate moments and dramatic, powerful climaxes, leaving the audience captivated by the timeless beauty and emotion of these iconic works.
North York Concert Orchestra, now in our 50th season, is a semi-professional orchestra of capable, committed musicians dedicated to bringing affordable, live classical music to our North York community.
Many of our musicians are music professionals – most, though, have occupations far removed from music. We come from a multitude of ethnic backgrounds. While many of us were not born in Canada, the international language of music brings us together – we strive to share the love of music with you, our audience, and to enrich your lives.
While we focus our endeavours on our public concert series, we do not forget those less able to attend our concerts. Many of our musicians volunteer to collaborate in small ensembles, bringing chamber music to community centres, schools and seniors’ residences.
Our annual youth concerto competition is a showcase for young emerging artists, giving them a rare opportunity to perform with a full-size orchestra.
NYCO attracts a diverse and talented membership of over fifty musicians whose ages span over six decades. We are complemented by a volunteer concert production team. A professional music director and professional string section leaders provide the guidance, training and inspiration for us to achieve excellence.
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