NORTH BAY SYMPHONY PRESENTS
PROGRAM NOTES
IN LOVING MEMORY
In loving memory of our dear Donald Clysdale, who passed away on August 7, 2021.
Don was a long-time member of the North Bay Symphony Orchestra. In addition to serving on our Board of Directors for many years, he was our music li brarian, personnel manager, historian, and held the position of 1st Viola Chair in the orchestra. His upstanding commitment and perseverance were signifi cant in seeing the North Bay Symphony Society through some very challenging times. Don’s ardour overflowed into many other community groups. We miss him so very much and we send our love to Pat, Ian, David, and his extended family.
One of Donald’s favourite pieces of music he loved to play was Mozart’s Eine Kleine Nachtmusik. Tonight’s performance of Serenade No. 13 in G Major is our tribute to Don.
Farewell, good friend and colleague.
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Le Quattro Stagioni—Violin Concerto No. 1, E Major RC.269 (Primavera)
Antonio Vivaldi (1678-1741)
In this, arguably the most popular of Vivaldi’s set of season-themed program music, we usher in
the sounds of spring. This concerto evokes a murmuring stream, joyous birdsong, a sudden
thunderstorm, a barking dog and a country dance.
I. Allegro
Springtime is upon us.
The birds celebrate her return with festive song,
and murmuring streams are
softly caressed by the breezes.
Thunderstorms, those heralds of Spring, roar,
casting their dark mantle over heaven.
Then they die away to silence,
and the birds take up their magical songs once more.
II. Largo
On the flower-strewn meadow, with leafy branches
rustling overhead, the goat-herd sleeps,
his faithful dog beside him.
III. Allegro
Led by the festive sound of rustic bagpipes,
nymphs and shepherds lightly dance
beneath the brilliant canopy of spring.
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The Brandenburg Concerto No. 3, G Major BWV 1048
Johann Sebastian Bach (1685-1750)
This work is the third of the six famous Brandenburg Concertos. Written only for strings, this concerto is in three movements, though the second movement essentially consists of only 2 chords. The outer movements are more typical of a concerto grosso.
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Fratres
Arvo Part (b. 1935)
(featuring Matthew Whitehead, percussion)
This composition showcases Estonian-born Arvo Pärt’s tintinnabuli style of composition (tintinnabulum means “little bell” in Latin). This style, which he developed himself during a seven-year self-imposed silence, is heavily influenced by medieval music. Fratres (brothers, in Latin) may be a reference to
monastic chants.
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Serenade No. 13, G Major K.525 “Eine Kleine Nachtmusik”
Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart (1756-1791)
“A Little Night Music” is one of Mozart’s most well-known pieces, even to the point of cliché; though it is delightful nonetheless. It did not enjoy the same popularity during Mozart’s lifetime, as it was not published (and possibly not even performed) until long after his death.
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OUR MUSICIANS
* Principal
CONCERTMASTER
Calvin Cheng
1st Violin
Calvin Cheng *
Yuchen Dai
Heather Garbutt
Sarah Park
2nd Violin
Angela Garwood-Touw*
Jennifer Hedican
Janet Zimbalatti
Viola
Carol Zimbalatti *
Sarah de Niverville
Clara NguyenTran
Cello
Jordan Wyshniowsky*
Daniel Dennis
Henning Helms
Bass
Arianna Verbree*
Caleb Smith
Mark Swain
Percussion
Matthew Whitehead
Keyboard
Chloe Weston
OUR USHERS
Janet Comerford (Coordinator)
Bonnie Bell Moulder
Virginia Elliott
Brenda Holbein
Dorothy Hone
Erika Horn
Carol Miller
Linda Steele
Carol Valade
BEHIND EVERY SUCCESS THERE ARE PARTNERS
The North Bay Symphony Society is extremely grateful to the following sponsors and supporters without whose assistance, this performance would not be possible.
