In September of last year the Coast Symphony Orchestra (CSO) welcomed their new conductor, José Cerón-Ortega, and audiences had a chance to see him in action at the Sunshine Coast Community Orchestra’s Christmas concert.
Great progress has been made, reports CSO percussionist Val Anderson, and the orchestra is keen to perform some of their newer pieces at an extra concert that has been added to their season. The concert takes place on Saturday, March 10 at 7 p.m. at the Heritage Playhouse in Gibsons.
Cerón-Ortega is very happy with the response from the CSO members. “They have understood what I’m trying to give,” he told Coast Reporter. “I was thinking to do this concert in June,” he said, “but they’re ready now.”
It’s a different approach to music, he noted. “Not just to play the notes but to understand the music, understand the phrasing, find something special about it. That’s my goal.”
Born in México City, Cerón-Ortega graduated with honours as violinist from music school in Mexico and studied orchestral and operatic conducting at the Rimsky-Korsakov State Conservatory in Saint Petersburg, Russia. His certificate in music conducting is from Capilano University in North Vancouver.
His professional music career expanded in South America – mostly in Venezuela. He has been a close collaborator of the State Foundation for the National System of Youth and Child Orchestras of Venezuela (FESNOJIV), and the Simon Bolivar Symphony Orchestras. But his proudest achievement has been his work as national coordinator of the Cerón’s Musical Initiation System (CMIS) – a method that has inspired and allowed music to flourish in Venezuela to this day. Currently he also conducts the Orchestras of Saint James Music Academy in downtown Vancouver, travelling once a week to the Sunshine Coast to rehearse with the CSO.
Cerón-Ortega does not want to see symphony orchestras die, and he is an advocate for live music, not recordings. “That’s the real stuff,” he said with enthusiasm.
The concert programme includes two Strauss waltzes. As dance music they are physical pieces. With the Emperor Waltz, the conductor invites you to use your imagination. “You hear trumpets. Here comes the Emperor! The music is like a painting,” he said.
Gabriel Fauré’s Elegie for violoncello and orchestra will be performed by soloist Sarah Poon. And because he has a fondness for Latin music, the programme includes Ary Barroso and Marty Gold’s Brazil and an Arturo Márquez piece Danzon#2 involving lots of percussion.
Tickets for the March 10 concert are $20 for adults, $5 for kids and are available at Laedeli in Sunnycrest Mall and at Strait Music in Sechelt.
