December 2003 - Nr. 12
KW and Beyond
by Irena Syrokomla
Centre in the Square - some other concert series
Aside of the Masterpiece Series which I have been reviewing faithfully for the last two years, there are several other concert series worth looking at and attending.
KWS Pops series offers a concert almost every month Fridays and Saturdays at 8:00 pm on a variety of subjects: in September there was a concert devoted to the history of Canada including Maple Leaf Rag by Joplin and Canadiana 1890’s by Gedes. In October, the concert was devoted to Leroy Anderson, the orchestrator of the Boston Pops. At the end of October, there was a delightful Fright Night concert with the musicians and Martin Fischer-Dieskau dressed up in costumes. In February, there will be a concert of classical Sunday-in-the-Park music, and in March, a full-scale concert of Gilbert and Sullivan. At the end of March, the program is for Western music and for the closing of the season in May, the melodies of Broadway, Cole Porter, Sondheim and more.
Another series, only three concerts in total, are Sunday Light Classics at 2:30 pm. The first of the series performed at the beginning of November was a celebration of the cultural mosaic of our region. There was the well-known Ride of the Valkyries, English Folk Song Suite, Mennonite Concerto, and Slavonic Dances by Dvorak and at the end Chopin’s Piano Concerto no.1.
I was specially looking forward to Chopin’s concerto, as it is a rare opportunity to hear a solo pianist. Aside of two concerts, everything else Chopin composed is for the piano solo. The interpretation of Leslie De’ath was correct; however, there was very little of Chopin’s mood in it. Other music, especially Wagner and Mendelssohn, came out much better. The presentation of Mighty Grand by Eric Schwindt, together with the slide show of the region, was superb.
On February 15th the Sunday Light Classics concert will be inspired by romantic moods and filled with love tunes. In April there will be a concert full of dancing music - Swan Lake, Firebird, Romeo and Juliet and more. This is a less heavy series and more appealing to the general public.
The last series this season is Planet Baroque, again three concerts and, as the title states, devoted to baroque chamber music. There will be Bach and Brandenburg Concerto no.2 in December, Berlin Baroque in January with another Bach concerto, and finally in May, Vivaldi and Haydn.
Overall, there is quite a variety of music and concerts to choose from, some light and entertaining, some thought provoking. In general, we are very fortunate to have the Centre in the Square, KW Symphony, and so much music available in our area. Tel 578-1570.
What is coming in line of entertainment before Christmas?
After some research in the area pre-seasonal activities this is what I have discovered:
Our two regional theatres are staging children oriented plays – Waterloo Stage Theatre is showing Dear Santa from November 20 to December 20. The play has been written by Norm Foster, possibly the most prolific Canadian playwright. Tel 888-0000.
Theatre and Company is scheduling Tales from the Snowy Woods from November 27 to December 30. The production is based on the tales of Brothers Grimm, just in time for the Holidays. Tel. 571-0928.
In line of music – traditional Handel’s Messiah will be sang by The Phil December 13 at 7:30 and December 14 at 2:30 with Ben Heppner at The Centre in the Square.
KW Chamber Music Orchestra is presenting A German Christmas music at Maureen Forrester Recital Hall at Wilfried Laurier University on December 7, Sunday, at 3:00 pm. Music Director is Graham Coles and information for this concert and others at 744-3828.
Nota Bene Orchestra plays Christmas in Baroque Europe on Friday December 12 in Parkminster United Church in Waterloo and on Saturday December 13 in Guelph Youth Music Centre. There is an opportunity to hear an "alternate" Messiah by Purcell and Christmas Concerto in g by Torelli. Tel. 743-4362.
The Wellington Winds Clarinet Choir is celebrating the wonders of winter with some seasonal music from classical Vivaldi to popular carols in Winter Wonderland concert, which will take place in Waterloo on December 7 at First United Church on William Street. Tel 669-4409.
And at the Registry Theatre A Doll’s House of
Henrik Ibsen will be performed November 27 to 29 and in December 4 to at
8:00pm. It appears there are more and more interesting theatrical
performances available in Tri-City, and tickets as low
as
$13 general admission. This one is not a Christmas season show and not in
the category of light entertainment either – if I remember it right. But The
Registry Theatre is worth supporting. Tel 578-1570, which is The Center in
the Square number, of course.
We wish you very Happy Holidays!
