ARTS & LEISURE Bainbridge Island
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Friday, November 4, 2011 • Bainbridge Island Review
Bainbridge Symphony embarks on ‘new beginning’ It is my sincere pleasure to join the Bainbridge Island arts community as the new music director of the Bainbridge Symphony Orchestra. I was impressed during my initial visit in November of 2010 by the number of art-related events taking place on the island, many of which take place at Bainbridge Performing Arts. That community participation and support of the arts is so alive and well on the island is a testament to the spirit of the people who call the island home. I am proud to participate in that community and am excited to contribute to the arts on Bainbridge. In deciding on an opening program I thought a theme of “New Beginnings” was appropriate. The music I’ve chosen embraces a spirit of celebration, dance and jubilance. The opening work, Brahms’ “Academic Festival Overture” was written for the occasion of his acceptance of an honorary doctorate from the University of Breslau. As a composer who never forgot what it was like to be a child, Brahms infused the piece with drinking songs as a reminder of the light-hearted days of college. Two works especially for strings are also featured. The first, by
Guest Column
New beginning
By WESLEY SCHULZ
Finnish composer Jean Sibelius was actually the last work he ever conducted in public. Its simplicity and directness through sonorous tones and straightforward harmony immediately appeal to the listener. The second work for strings, October, is by living composer Eric Whitacre. This transcription from the original for band is one of the most beautiful works for string orchestra that I know. Although this concert falls in the month of November, I think we can all imagine the spirit of the fall season that inspired Whitacre to write this piece. The last two works on the program are related in that they both pay homage to the gypsy spirit. Bizet’s opera “Carmen” has one of the most seductive and alluring female leads in the Romantic opera repertory. Bizet articulates her free spirit and tricky ways through silky melodies and colorful orchestration. The closing work of the night is an infrequently per-
Courtesy Photo
Wesley Schulz will step to the podium again, this time as the Bainbridge Symphony Orchestra’s new director and conductor, on Nov. 12-13 at BPA. formed work by Rachmaninoff, Caprice bohemian, also inspired by gypsy music. After the brief introduction, Rachmaninoff takes the majority of the piece to present variations on the main theme. The piece builds to a tremendous climax at the end, however, evoking the idea of swirling dresses and an animated party scene that literally spins out of control.
I hope you can join us for the Bainbridge Symphony Orchestra’s opening concert. We are collectively excited to share this music with you, and I promise energy will run high. Come, experience live classical music, right here on Bainbridge Island. Wesley Schulz Music Director, Conductor Bainbridge Symphony Orchestra
The Bainbridge Symphony Orchestra embarks on its 2011-2012 season with a new director and conductor, Wesley Schulz, with its concert “New Beginnings” featuring high energy and celebratory works by Brahms, Whitacre, Bizet, Sibelius and Rachmaninoff. Performances are at 7:30 p.m. Saturday and at 3 p.m. Sunday with a pre-concert chat 45 minutes ahead of each performance — Saturday at 6:45 p.m. and 2:15 p.m. Sunday. Tickets are $19 for adults, and $16 for seniors, students, military and teachers. Each youth receives free admission when accompanied by a paying adult. For more information or to purchase tickets, call 842-8569 or visit www.bainbridgeperformingarts.org.
what’s happeninG November Art Walk happens tonight
Willie Wenzlau/For the Review
Ranger and the Re-Arrangers performed at the Bainbridge Island Farmers’ Market in October. Courtesy Photo
Blue Reflections II, by Elizabeth Moga is part of the the November exhibitions at Bainbridge Arts and Crafts. The show features paintings by Moga, glass art and sculptures by Gerry Newcomb and minimalist glass vessels by John Keppeler. An artists’ reception is from 6-8 p.m. Nov. 4 during Downtown Bainbridge Art Walk. Moga also will present a free demonstration from 12:30-3:30 p.m. Nov. 5 in the gallery. Spend some time learning about tools, materials and up-to-date oil paints. For more information, visit www.bacart.org.
‘Ranger & the Re-Arrangers’ play at IMC Island favorites, “Ranger & the Re-Arrangers” will play with special guest Roger Ferguson at 7 p.m. Nov. 5 at Island Music Center, 10598 Valley Rd. The evening’s program will consist of a mix classic American swing tunes such as “All of Me,”
“I’ll See You in My Dreams,” and “It Had to be You;” Django Reinhardt’s compositions “Minor Swing,” “Nuages” and “Swing 48”; plus unique gypsy jazz versions of “Hello, Dolly,” “Take Me Out to the Ballgame” and “Walk, Don’t Run,” the surf classic.
The band is fresh from their first appearance at DjangoFest Northwest, the premier Gypsy jazz festival in North America. Cost is $10 at the door. For more information, visit www.rangerswings.com or islandmusic.org.