The Isle of Wight Symphony Orchestra’s concert on Saturday 1st July promises to be a terrific evening of entertainment. Central to this are Leonard Bernstein’s Symphonic Dances from ‘West Side Story’.
This music is stunningly inventive and the work rightly holds its place as a classic of the twentieth-century repertoire.
Even without voices, the music shines
In 1957, Bernstein drew on his enthusiasms for opera, stage musicals and jazz to create a work which moves from tender arias to dance sequences of rhythmic intensity.
Even without voices, the music shines and Bernstein arranged his symphonic version in 1961. Since then, it’s become a perennial favourite with audiences around the world.
‘Die Fledermaus’ and ‘Little Suite no.1’
Also on the programme is the enchanting overture to ‘Die Fledermaus’, by Johann Strauss, full of bright humour and energy.
There is also a rare outing for Malcolm Arnold’s ‘Little Suite no.1’, written for the inaugural concert of the National Youth Orchestra in 1948.
The work has great melodic appeal, showcasing the unique flair for communication that Arnold possessed.
Thanks to audiences
After an overwhelmingly successful series of concerts, the Isle of Wight Symphony Orchestra wishes to extend its thanks to the appreciative audiences that have attended this year.
Where and when
The concert takes place at Medina Theatre on Saturday 1st July. The evening begins at 7.15pm and the orchestra is delighted to be supporting The Wight Brainy Bunch at all of its concerts this season.
Sponsorship from Wightlink is invaluable in helping the orchestra maintain the high quality of their concerts from year to year.
Tickets are available from Medina Theatre.
Concert at Steam Railway
There is another opportunity to hear the orchestra one more time this summer, when we perform at the Steam Railway, Havenstreet on Saturday 29th July, commencing at 3pm.
The event will feature a varied programme of light music before finishing with a rousing tribute to The Last Night of the Proms.
Tickets are available from the Steam Railway Website.
News shared by Gareth on behalf of IWSO. Ed
Image: © With kind permission of Allan Marsh
