Well-Traveled Musical Highways…and Snowplows

By LUCY VOLKER and BILLY THOMAS

February’s performance by the Olympia Symphony Orchestra, Lovers Lane, has a fun and romantic tone. “As this concert is just before Valentine’s Day,” says conductor and musical director Huw Edwards, “Lovers Lane was a catchy title that fits the concert and our overall theme, with roads and journeys.” For its 66th season, the orchestra chose a Route-66 theme, “Highways & Byways.” Works highlighted in this month’s performance include well-traveled compositions by Brahms, Grieg and Mozart.

The afternoon opens with Mozart’s The Marriage of Figaro, followed by Greig’s romantic Piano Concerto in A minor and finishng with Braham’s Symphony No. 4. “The Mozart is classical,” says Edwards, “and The Marriage of Figaro fits the Valentine theme. The Grieg concerto is romantic and full of great melodies and drama. The Brahms is like a love story full of warm orchestration [with] lush paragraphs but includes many moments of doubt and reflection.” This performance’s traditional structure, accessible works and 3 p.m. matinée time are intended to attract and hold the attention of younger audience members and families. Northwest Symphony Orchestra’s conductor, Anthony Spain, will the be guest conductor for this performance, bringing his own artistic flair. Edwards will conduct the Northwest Symphony Orchestra on February 8.

“We also provide free tickets,” says OSO executive director Jennifer Hermann, “for households of students taking part in free and reduced-price meal programs in schools. Reducing barriers and increasing access to the arts are highly valued by the Olympia Symphony, so we have partnered with Columbia Bank to offer free, concert experiences for entire families.” Interested families can call or email the box office for an online code to reserve complimentary tickets.

Lovers Lane is recommended for families, students and classical-music aficionados alike.

The performance was originally scheduled for Feb. 10, but due to weather conditions, it was rescheduled to Feb. 18. Hermann said in a Facebook post the day prior to the original performance, “Snow on the roads, icy trees blowing down…outages everywhere. I don’t want my musicians or patrons to drive if they feel unsafe. We perform only five concerts a year…We fight for every dollar we receive. But safety should be our first concern, and it is.”

Patrons concerned about the performance date are advised to contact The Washington Center for the Performing Arts’ box office.

WHAT

Lovers Lane

WHEN

3 p.m. Monday, Feb. 18

WHERE

The Washington Center for the Performing Arts,

512 Washington St. SE, Olympia

HOW MUCH

Free – $60

LEARN MORE

olympiasymphony.org

360-753-0074

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