Bainbridge Symphony Orchestra to Present 'Legends,' 2/20-21

Legends. Folktales. Stories. Written words and oral stories inspire the music for the Bainbridge Symphony Orchestra's winter concert on February 20 and 21. The program features "Overture to Karelia," op. 10 by Jean Sibelius, Selections from "Swan Lake" by Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky, Selections from "The Firebird" by Igor Stravinsky, and "Pictures at an Exhibition" by Modest Mussorgsky/arr. Maurice Ravel.

Sibelius composed music for a political pageant depicting historical events with the hope of stirring Finnish and Karelian patriotism. Tchaikovsky and Stravinsky, both renowned Russian composers, wrote ballets about two different but mesmerizing mythical birds. Dancers from Olympic Performance Group will join the Bainbridge Symphony Orchestra in bringing Tchaikovsky's "Swan Lake" to life. Finally, Mussorgsky, inspired by the drawings of Victor Hartmann, composed a set of pieces for piano. The French composer Maurice Ravel transcribed the music for orchestra and his sparkling creation has immortalized "Pictures at an Exhibition." From the many promenades to the depiction of the witch Baba-Yaga, this program's musical storytelling offers a sonorous journey of passion and magic.

Maestro Wesley Schulz, who is garnering attention for his fresh programming and imaginative performances is also Music Director of the Seattle Festival Orchestra and serves as Director of Orchestras at University of Puget Sound. Schulz was the Conducting Fellow at the Seattle Symphony Orchestra last season. Other upcoming and recent conducting engagements include the Austin Symphony Orchestra, Port Angeles Symphony, Auburn Symphony, Grand Junction Symphony Orchestra, and the Juneau Symphony. Since the beginning of his tenure in 2011, he has taken the orchestra and audience members on a dynamic musical journey showcasing winners from the Young Artist Concerto Competition, premiering works specifically commissioned for the BSO by composers Brett Kroening and Erich Stem, joining in an historic collaboration with the Bainbridge Chorale, side-by-side performances with the Bainbridge Island Youth Orchestra, and enlisting a star-studded cast of guest performers for each four-concert season filled with masterworks, beloved favorites, and original compositions

Schulz is pleased to welcome to the stage dancers from Olympic Performance Group who will perform during some of the music from Swan Lake. He says, "this collaboration is a marvelous opportunity to expand the breadth of our audience and musician experience, bringing the music alive on stage with these talented young dancers."

Olympic Performance Group (OPG) is a local not-for-profit organization that provides dancers, actors and performers of all ages with the opportunity to perform original, classical, and contemporary works in front of live audiences. Visit OPG online at www.olympicperformancegroup.weebly.com.

Bainbridge Symphony Orchestra's winter concerts are February 20 and 21, Saturday at 7:30 p.m. and Sunday at 3:00 p.m. A pre-concert chat is offered on Sunday, November 15 at 2:15 p.m. Tickets, $19 for adults, and $16 for seniors, students, military, and teachers, may be purchased online at www.bainbridgeperformingarts.org, by phone at 206.842.8569 or in person at BPA, 200 Madison Avenue North, Bainbridge Island. BPA Box Office hours are 1:00 to 4:00 p.m. Wednesday through Friday, and one hour prior to each performance.

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