January 28, 2008.
The Prince George Symphony Orchestra is excited to bring Kinza Tyrrell to Prince George for an encore performance with the PGSO on February 9, 8 pm at Vanier Hall. Ms. Tyrrell wowed audiences in September, 2006 with a stunning performance of Rachmaninoff’s Rhapsody on a Theme of Paganini. This time she will be performing the Grieg Piano Concerto, one of the most recognizable and popular piano concertos of all time.
Ms. Tyrrell began studying piano when she was four years old, and made her orchestral debut at the age of twelve. She has studied with the best, and has won many awards for her absolutely brilliant piano skills. According to Ms. Tyrrell, she has never studied individual pianists or tried to copy a particular style. She derives inspiration from listening to music. That inspiration is evident in her approach to piano performance.
Perhaps another secret to her success is Ms. Tyrrell’s flexibility. She has been known to enjoy listening to country music, play Christian rock music, and sing. She holds a Ph.D. in Vocal Accompanying Performance from McGill University. The sensitivity required of a top-notch accompanist performer is also evident in her solo performances.
No doubt, Ms. Tyrrell will deliver a brilliant interpretation of the Grieg Piano Concerto with the PGSO. This work, first performed in Copenhagen in 1869, met not only with applause and ovation at the end of the piece and after each movement, but during the actual performance - much as one would expect spontaneous applause in the middle of a jazz performance. This is definitely one classical work that must be experienced in person whenever the opportunity presents itself. In this case, a performance by a pianist of Kinza Kyrrell’s caliber is one to mark on the calendar now.
The PGSO will also perform another very popular work on the same programme. Scheherazade by Rimsky-Korsakoff is a collection of colourful adventures which unfolds like a rich dream-panorama of the “Arabian Nights.”
On the flyleaf of the original score, Rimsky-Korsakoff wrote the following, “The Sultan Schahriar, persuaded of the falseness and faithlessness of all women, had sworn to put to death each of his wives after the first night. But the Sultana Scheherazade saved her life by arousing his interest in tales which she told him during one thousand and one nights. Driven by curiosity, the Sultan put off his wife’s execution from day to day and at last gave up his bloody plan altogether. Scheherazade told many marvelous tales to the Sultan. For her stories, she borrowed from poets their verses, from folksongs their words, and she strung together fairytales and adventures.”
Listeners will be able to hear these sultry stories in musical context in Scheherazade, part of the One Thousand and One Nights concert, February 9, 8 pm at Vanier Hall. Tickets are available at Studio 2880 at $29 for adults, $19.50 for seniors and students, $12 for youth.
