The Georgian Bay Symphony has a unique concert planned for February 16th during the Family Day Weekend. “A Concert for the Young at Heart” will feature works to delight new comers to the world of classical music and please regular concert goers too.

The much loved musical fairy tale “Peter and the Wolf” by Prokofiev will be one of the main features. In 1936 Prokofiev was commissioned by the Central Children’s Theatre in Moscow to write a piece to introduce children to the musical instruments in an orchestra. The Children’s Theatre was place that he had taken his sons many times. Just two years after its debut in Moscow Prokofiev was in Los Angeles and played parts of “Peter and the Wolf” on the piano for non-other than Walt Disney. In 1946 Disney released his animated adaptation of this musical fairy tale.

Also on the program is 20th century British composer, Benjamin Britten’s “A Young Person’s Guide to the Orchestra”. In the 1940’s the UK Ministry of Education commissioned Britten to write a piece to introduce students to the various sections of the orchestra. Britten chose to work from a piece by Henry Purcell, an English composer from the 1600s. Orchestra members are particularly excited about performing this piece.

The third major piece on the program is Haydn’s Toy Symphony. For the past 200 years this symphony has delighted audiences of all ages. The actual use of toy instruments in parts makes this musical work both fun and unique.

A harpist will be joining the orchestra to add even more excitement to the afternoon and the concert will open with a short overture by Canadian composer Vania Anglova.

For more information visit the Georgian Bay Symphony’s website or call the GBS office at 519-372-0212.

source: media release, Georgian Bay Symphony