As with their world-famous cuisine, the French are known for music that is rich in flavour, pleasing to the senses, and immensely satisfying.
Such robust fare can be experienced in French Connection, a weekend of concerts featuring music by French and French-Canadian composers, presented by Trinity Western University鈥檚 School of the Arts, Media + Culture (SAMC).
The school鈥檚 concert band and orchestra will perform over two evenings: in 91原创 on Friday, Nov. 25 and in Abbotsford on Saturday, Nov. 26.
The evenings promise to be crowd-pleasing, with pieces that borrow from a cornucopia of influences 鈥� from the strong, rhythmic music of Spain, to Bach, to French-Canadian folk songs.
On the menu are two popular works from Bizet鈥檚 Spanish-influenced opera, Carmen.
Chabrier鈥檚 鈥淓spa帽a鈥� and 鈥淗abanera鈥� easily evoke the clamour of gypsy life, from the clacking castanets and swirling skirts and shawls of village folk dancers, to the sultry siren call of a lonely factory girl.
No orchestral composer showcases the saxophone the way Bizet does, and his L鈥橝rl茅sienne Suites should particularly please fans of the instrument. Featured soloist and saxophone player, Elaine Wong, is a TWU student who gets her moment in the spotlight interpreting Bizet鈥檚 work.
Adding to the flavour of the evening, 鈥淚nversia,鈥� by French-Canadian composer Andre Jutras, borrows from a Bach chorale melody and then, as the title suggests, turns it on its head. Three Folk Miniatures, by the same composer, is a rousing trio of light-hearted French-Canadian folk melodies. The beautiful stillness of 鈥淎gnus Dei鈥� from Faur茅鈥檚 Requiem provides a contemplative contrast to the percussive energy of the preceding pieces.
Returning as the SAMC orchestra鈥檚 concertmaster 鈥� after a hiatus of several years 鈥� is TWU alumna, Rebekah Schumacher.
A graduate of the King鈥檚 School in 91原创, Schumacher has since established a rewarding career for herself teaching English as a second language.
The French Connection on Friday is at Shepherd of the Valley Lutheran Church, 20097 72nd Ave. in 91原创.
Saturday's concert is at Peace Lutheran Church, 2029 Ware St., in Abbotsford).
The concerts begin at 7:30 p.m. Admission is $10. Guests are advised to arrive early for a good seat.
For more details, people can visit twu.ca/samc or phone 604-513-2173.
How to win
One lucky 91原创 Advance readers will win a pair of tickets to Friday鈥檚 TWU concert band and orchestra French Connection concert.
How do you win? Just click here, and tell us why you want to attend this show. You will automatically be entered into the draw.
Preference will be given to 91原创 residents.
Postings must be received prior to 4 p.m. on Thursday, Nov. 24, and the winner will be notified by email. No staff or family of the 91原创 Advance or Black Press are eligible. This giveaway is restricted to online participants, 19 years or older only. Must include name and phone number.
