OSO welcomes renowned cellist

Arnold Choi accompanies the Okanagan Symphony at its performance in Vernon on Sunday. Choi performs Elgar’s Cello Concerto on the 1696 “Bonjour” Stradivarius cello on loan to him from the Canada Council String Bank.

Photo courtesy of the Canada Council of the Arts

Share this story

Tweet

• Pianist joins OSO for Kaleidoscope
• CONCERT REVIEW: Cellist lets his bow do the talking
• Classical Notes: OSO in Transformation
• Brilliant ‘soundscape’ opens OSO season
• Guitarist adds to fiery OSO performance
• Renowned psychic shares insights

This weekend the Okanagan Symphony Orchestra welcomes back featured cellist Arnold Choi, who this time is bringing along a very special “guest.”

Choi is one of 18 classical musicians to be named a winner of the Canada Council Musical Instrument Bank. For the next three years, he will get to play the 1696 Stradivarius “Bonjour” cello.

Choi is bringing this extraordinary cello, valued at $11,000,000  to the Vernon Performing Arts Centre on Sunday to perform Elgar’s Cello Concerto with the OSO.

“Arnold is such a delight to have on the stage and our musicians are thrilled to make music with him again,” said OSO music director Rosemary Thomson. “Arnold’s talent combined with this one-of-a-kind cello will create a breathtaking performance of this sumptuous piece.”

As part of the OSO’s outreach program, Choi will also be offering a master class workshop in Vernon on Sunday from 12:30 p.m. to 2:30 p.m.

It will provide an opportunity to learn from one of Canada’s best performers, said Thomson.

“Musicians of all ages are looking forward to the opportunity to listen and learn, and anyone with an interest in observing this workshop is welcome to join us,” she said.

The workshop takes place in the recital room at the Vernon Community Music School.

Along with accompanying Choi, the OSO will also perform Marion Mozetich’s Romantic Rhapsody and Robert Schumann’s Third Symphony (The Rhenish) at its Romantic Rhapsody concert.

The Rhenish is composed of five heartfelt tone paintings depicting scenes from Schumann’s beloved Rhine Valley.

“This musical illustration moves through heroic declamations, country dances, a lilting interlude, the vision of a rising cathedral spire, and a dashing, exhilarating finale,” said Thomson, adding, “This is rhapsodic music at its most romantic.”

The OSO’s Romantic Rhapsody starts Sunday at 7 p.m. Tickets are $49/adult, $42/senior, $22/youth 18 or under, with group discounts and other specials available by calling the Ticket Seller box office at 250-549-7469 or visit www.ticketseller.ca.