The interesting thing about classical dance music, particularly the famous waltzes by Johann Strauss, is that they were never intended to be danced, said the Coast Symphony Orchestra’s (CSO) artistic director Edette Gagne at a pre-concert chat for Shall We Dance? last Sunday. They are not written in strict tempo for ballroom dancers who may find it difficult to dance through the many changes.
Gagne often gives a talk before concerts that she conducts, tapping into her inner “music geek,” as she calls it. Most of the audience arrived early to hear about the pieces she had selected and that were to be performed by the 35-plus-member orchestra.
The March 1 audience and orchestra almost overlapped within the confines of the small venue at the Gibsons Heritage Playhouse and though there was no room for dancing, the selection of music was delightful.
The familiar strains of The Emperor Waltz by Strauss opened the programme, but the Spanish Dance No 1 from La Vida Breve by Manuel de Falla was lesser known. Another obscure composer was Reinhold Gliere with his Russian Sailor’s Dance, music from a patriotic ballet. The orchestra also played a dreamy Rosamunde — Balletmusik I and II by Franz Schubert originally intended to accompany a play. Actor Alec Tebbutt orated appropriate words from poets and playwrights on the subject of dance.
It would not have been a great concert without the most anticipated piece performed during the encore, The Blue Danube Waltz, also by Strauss.
The Sunshine Coast Community Orchestra (of which the CSO is a part) is preparing for more concerts this spring. On April 25, the Suncoast Concert Band performs in a show titled Journey to North America. The CSO will counter the theme in May with Europe Calling!
