Cd'A Symphony presents classical family fun: Bolero and more!
Coeur d’Alene Symphony’s upcoming concert offers something for the whole family.
It’s a major collaborative effort for the symphony, bringing together local musicians, a soloist, child melody writers, college orchestrators and the North Idaho Youth Symphony, directed by Michael Harrison.
Performances will be Friday, Jan. 18 at 7:30 p.m. and Saturday, Jan. 19 at 2 p.m. at the Salvation Army Kroc Center with pre-concert lectures by maestro Jan Pellant 45 minutes before curtain.
Ravel originally wrote his “Mother Goose Suite” for two pianos and dedicated it to two children he knew. He later orchestrated the piece. The five movements are: Pavane of Sleeping Beauty, Little Tom Thumb, Empress of the Pagodas, Beauty and the Beast and the Fairy Garden.
Benjamin Britten wrote the “Young Person’s Guide to the Orchestra” in 1945. It is based on a theme by Purcell, which is played by the whole orchestra, before each section plays a variation on the theme.
Cd’A Symphony’s principal timpanist, Chris Grant, will be performing the Beeson “Prometheus Rapture, Seven Legends for Snare Drum and Orchestra.”
“This piece is a wild ride that sounds like your favorite adventure movie on steroids,” said the Symphony’s announcement of the concerts. “If you’ve never thought a snare drum concerto would be interesting to listen to, this will change your mind.”
Grant directs the Spokane British Brass Band and plays in many local groups, including Pink Tango. He received his master’s degree in education from EWU.
Another piece that features the percussion section is Ravel’s famous “Bolero,” beginning with the iconic snare drum rhythm which encompasses the entire orchestra as Ravel uses masterful orchestration to weave a simple melody around the incessant rhythm.
“One of the most exciting outreach projects the orchestra does each year is our Melody Contest,” said the Symphony’s announcement.
Children from North Idaho are invited to submit a melody, from which five are chosen to be orchestrated by Whitworth music students.
“It is fascinating to hear how adding the sounds of different instruments changes the character of the melody.”
Tickets are available from the Symphony Office at 208-765-3833 or online at www.cdasymphony.org