A Whidbey Island woman will take the story of the birds and the bees to new heights. Musically, that is.
The Saratoga Chamber Orchestra presents guest violin soloist Peggy Bardarson in “The Birds, the Bees and Beethoven” on Jan. 19 and 20 in Coupeville and Langley, respectively.
The orchestra is looking forward to warming up island audiences with this very special concert featuring the sounds of Spring, regardless of how cold January gets.
Under the musical direction of Legh W. Burns, “The Birds, the Bees and Beethoven” features the popular overture from Rossini’s opera “La gazza ladra” (“The Thieving Magpie”), “The Lark Ascending” by British composer Ralph Vaughan Williams and the “Leonore Overture #3, Op. 72” by Ludwig van Beethoven.
Freeland resident and associate concertmaster Bardarson will treat audiences to the violin solo of Vaughan Williams’ “The Lark Ascending.”
“I have performed this evocative and beautiful piece many times over the years and I am pleased to share it with my Whidbey neighbors,” Bardarson said.
The “Lark,” written in 1914, is based on the poem of the same name by George Meredith and is a lyrical homage to the English countryside written in the shadow of the first World War.
“This concert is a chance to showcase one of our many talented musicians who reside on Whidbey,” Burns said.
Showcasing aside, Bardarson said she is just happy to have such a fine orchestra to play with on the island.
Serenading audiences is something that Bardarson has been doing all her life, including a solo performance of “The Lark Ascending,” with the Port Angeles Chamber Orchestra several years ago.
Bardarson said the piece lends itself to the violin with its evocative images of the pastoral world that Williams was fond of and used in his work frequently.
“I’ve been seriously in love with the violin since I was a little girl,” Bardarson said.
“Now I’m a senior whose passion for music has kept me going, and this piece happens to suit my playing very well.”
Poet inspires musician and the musician inspires the fine artist. Meredith’s depiction of a sweet-sounding bird ascending could also have inspired Clinton artist Meredith MacLeod, who created the art for the concert poster.
The orchestra is particularly grateful to MacLeod for the use of her signature depictions of a bird on a vibrant palette of orange, green, red and yellow.
Having MacLeod provide the poster art is another way, Burns said, that the Saratoga Chamber Orchestra is committed to featuring the talent of the many local artists that live on this island.
“The Birds, Bees and Beethoven” concerts are 7 p.m. Monday, Jan. 19 at Coupeville’s Performing Arts Center and Tuesday, Jan. 20 at South Whidbey High School Auditorium in Langley.
Tickets cost $20/$18/$15 and are at Bayleaf in Coupeville and Oak Harbor for the Coupeville concert. Tickets for the Langley concert are available at Moonraker Books in Langley; or buy tickets online at www.brownpapertickets.com, or at the door. For more info, e-mail orchestra@whidbey.com or call 221-2353.
