Edmonton Youth Orchestra shares magnificent music

From its beginnings in 1952, the Edmonton Youth Orchestra has developed into a nationally recognized training program for young classically trained musicians.

Guided by internationally acclaimed conductor Michael Massey, the 130 plus instrumentalists are brimming with enthusiasm to present Czech Masters this coming Sunday at the Winspear Centre.

“The whole motivation for this concert was a conversation with Paul Jelen, president of Czech and Slovac Society of Arts and Sciences of Alberta. He’s very enthusiastic and loves music, and said he would love to give us money for this concert,” said Massey.

Excited about introducing new music, including a world premiere to his students from 11 to 24 years, Massey readily agreed.

Ironically, the opening piece is Mozart’s Symphony no. 38 “Prague 1st movement.”

“Prague was just around the corner,” laughs Massey on sneaking the Austrian-born composer’s repertoire into the program.

In a more serious vein, Massey notes the piece was composed during Mozart’s peak period and is a tricky challenge for students.

“Its opening is a slow adagio, a slow section that almost sounds like the Magic Flute.”

However, the remainder of the program is devoted exclusively to Czech composers Zdenek Fibich, Josef Suk and Anton Dvorák.

The central Czech composer and program’s core is centred on two Dvorák compositions. He is best known for recreating a national idiom specifically adapting folk music and street rhythms.

“A lot of his music is folk based, and like the Russians, they love a good story. The music is often set to a drama.”

Massey has programmed Silent Woods, a dreamy lyrical piece, with soloist Adam Caulfield on cello.

“It’s a gem, a very evocative piece and very beautiful and it has a tranquil tone,” says Massey.

His second selection is Slavonic Dance, op. 46 no. 8, a slightly more fiery work.

On the other hand, while Fibich is lauded throughout the Czech Republic, unlike Dvorák, he is virtually unknown in Canada.

“Fibich was very prolific writing a lot of piano pieces. He wrote one almost every day almost like a diary.”

Massey selected seven and wove them into a 23-minute orchestral suite.

The last piece is Suk’s Fairy Tale, slated to be an Edmonton premiere.

“It’s a little bit of incidental music that involved a play. It’s a little bit like Romeo and Juliet with two feuding families, a curse and everything that revolves around it. It’s a little bit clichĂ© but the music sure works.”

Now in his 38th year conducting the orchestra, Massey is decidedly proud of consistently pioneering eclectic repertoires.

“I like to mix it up and search for things other orchestras don’t do. And the musicians have a consistently high level of performance.”