The Timmins Symphony Orchestra and Chorus will present Flowers and Romance on Saturday, Feb. 15, at 8:00 p.m. at École Secondaire Catholique Thériault.
The evening’s program will feature guest pianist Chloe Weston, a classical musician from North Bay known for her expressive performances.
“Chloe is on a heart-centered mission to share art and creativity with others through music—conjuring the magic of a shared, suspended moment in time through live performance,” reads her biography.
Weston holds a solo piano performance degree from the Jacobs School of Music at Indiana University and has earned both bachelor’s and master’s degrees from Western University.
Her career includes performances with the North Bay Symphony Orchestra and appearances at the Festival of the Sound in Parry Sound. This season, she will take the stage as a soloist with Kensington Sinfonia in Calgary and in North Bay Symphony’s Chamber Music Series.
Among the evening’s musical highlights is Mozart’s Piano Concerto in A Major.
In a video released ahead of the concert, Weston shared insights into the piece, explaining that both she and conductor James Wu chose it because of their deep appreciation for its second movement.
“Around this time, Mozart had just finished composing ‘The Marriage of Figaro,’” Weston noted. “Whenever I’m playing this gorgeous, heartbreaking, slow movement, I’m really thinking about the sopranos in his operas.”
Additional program highlights include:
“Rosen aus dem Süden” (Roses from the South) Waltz – Johann Strauss
“A Flower Remembered” and “To Everything There is a Season” – John Rutter
“Romeo and Juliet Overture” – Tchaikovsky (arranged by Jerry Brubaker)
Leading the performance will be guest conductor James Wu, originally from China, who is currently pursuing his Master of Music in Conducting at the University of Toronto.
Wu has previously served as an assistant conductor with the Richmond Hill Philharmonic Orchestra, the Kitchener-Waterloo Symphony Youth Orchestra, and the Laurier Wind Symphony.
“As a conductor, James finds his greatest joy in helping musicians realize the full potential of their musical and technical abilities, evidenced by the smiles he witnesses in both performance and rehearsal,” his biography states.
Wu has also participated in various conducting symposiums, where he has engaged in lessons, masterclasses, and podium sessions with renowned conductors and peers.
Beyond music, Wu enjoys scuba diving and spending time with his wife, Rachael, whom he married in 2021.
This concert also marks a pivotal moment for the Timmins Symphony Orchestra, which is in the process of selecting a new Music Director.
To assist with this decision, the orchestra will be auditioning James Wu during the performance. Audience members will have the opportunity to share their feedback by completing a survey after the concert.
With an evening full of romantic and evocative music, Flowers and Romance promises to be a captivating experience for all in attendance.
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