VSO Season Finale - Vancouver Symphony Orchestra

Benjamin Britten (LordBritten of Aldeburgh)b. Lowestoft, England / November 22, 1913d. Aldeburgh, England / December 4, 1976Peter Grimes: Four Sea Interludes, Op. 33aWhen Britten’s opera Peter Grimes debuted in1945, it catalyzed a rebirth of interest in operain England. Grimes is a gruff fisherman whoseneighbours distrust him for his individualityand reclusiveness. He dreams of a better lifewith Ellen, the widowed schoolmistress, buta tightening web of circumstance drives himto lose his mind and commit suicide. Theorchestra plays a pivotal role in the opera,nowhere more crucially than in the interludesthat introduce and bridge the scenes. Thefirst, Dawn, shows the sea basically at peacewith itself, yet still harbouring the promiseof disturbing events to come. In SundayMorning, the mood is boisterous, withhorns boldly imitating the sound of churchbells as the sun’s rays sparkle upon therippling waves. Moonlight depicts the townand harbour lying in tranquility on a warmsummer night. Storm shows the sea reactingin brutal, graphically scored protest, afterGrimes decides to forsake it in exchange forEllen’s love.Gustav Mahlerb. Kalischt, Bohemia / July 7, 1860d. Vienna, Austria / May 18, 1911Das Lied von der ErdeMahler composed Das Lied for Erde (TheSong of the Earth) during the summers of1907 and 1908. Bruno Walter conducted thepremiere in Munich, Germany, on November20, 1911.For Mahler, 1907 proved to be a year offateful developments. First, he resigned fromhis position as Music Director of the ViennaCourt Opera. Second, Maria, the elder ofhis two daughters, died of scarlet fever anddiphtheria at the age of four-and-a-half. Third,doctors diagnosed a serious and progressiveheart condition. They advised that it wouldThe VSO Celebratesthe Life of Eleanor MalkinOn March 9, 2011, Eleanor (Mrs. H.R.) Malkin, C.M., O.B.C., the Vancouver SymphonySociety’s Honorary Life President, passed away at the age of 98.Eleanor Malkin was a devoted supporter of the Vancouver Symphony Orchestrafor over 80 years, having first volunteered in the VSO box office in 1928 at age 16.As Chair of the Symphony Womens’Committee in the late 1940s, aboard member and President of theBoard in the 1950s, and HonoraryLife President for over 40 years,Mrs. Malkin was an assiduousfundraiser and advocate for, mentorto, and member of the Symphonycommunity, significantly andcontinuously contributingto its well being. We will beforever grateful.Arthur H. Willms, Mrs. H.R. Malkin and Bramwell ToveyThe Vancouver Symphony Society is dedicating the June 4 and 6performances to Mrs. Malkin’s memory.allegro 49