LAST NIGHT OF JANUARY 25, 2020 TODAY’S MUSIC 7:30 P.M. with Evan Mitchell THE PROMS GRAND THEATRE I had my first experience with the I’m a huge fan of Wood and his Last Night of the Proms format historic Promenade concerts, Kingston Choral Society 15 years ago while I was being and tonight we pay tribute with Ian Juby Chorus Master introduced to the professional all the classics, a celebration of Evan Mitchell Conductor orchestral schedule. As a Canadiana, and a few additions that member of the National Academy you’ll adore. Ethel Smyth’s Overture Orchestra’s summer festival, I to the Boatswain’s Mate is an was deeply immersed in Mozart, absolute treasure, based around her PROGRAM Beethoven, Brahms and the like. iconic March of the Women, a song All of a sudden came this concert that became the official anthem with primarily English repertoire of the UK’s suffragette movement. Pomp & Circumstance No. 4 ELGAR (1857-1934) that I’d never heard. The audience Ola Gjeilo (a favourite composer was packed to the rafters, waving of the Kingston Choral Society) O Canada LAVALLÉE (1842-1891) flags, singing along, crying mock brings us a beautiful offering in the ARR. WAGLER tears, and bouncing in time to spirit of the Proms with his Song of Jack’s the Lad. the Universal. And once again we are proud to bring the original full Song of the Universal GJEILO (1978-) Naturally I was on board with all length version of Sir Henry Wood’s the fun, but what I really came to Fantasia on British Sea Songs, A Hampshire Suite HOLST (1874-1934) adore was the music. Pomp and from the opening naval horn calls ARR. JACOB Circumstance might be cliché, but through to the Sir Malcolm Sargent that’s because it’s so magnificent expansion into Rule, Britannia! I you can’t help but demand it be hope you enjoy this concert. It’s Ahead By A Century DOWNIE (1964-2017) performed. Similarly, there’s no going to be a boatload of fun! ARR. MITCHELL secret to the enduring popularity of Sullivan’s greatest works. The Overture to The Boatswain’s Mate SMYTH (1858-1944) tunes practically sing themselves and become firmly entrenched in INTERMISSION your brain for days to come. And while goofy audience traditions abound throughout the Fantasia on Overture to H.M.S. Pinafore SULLIVAN (1842-1900) British Sea Songs, it’s a remarkable piece of music. I dare you to find Enigma Variations ELGAR a more heartfelt, perfectly scored Nimrod setting of Tom Bowling or Spanish Ladies. The introduction and eventual crescendo of the Hornpipe Fantasia on British Sea Songs WOOD (1869-1944) are magnificent. For all the bravado of Wood’s setting of The Saucy Jerusalem PARRY (1848-1918) Arethusa and See the Conquering Hero Comes, he looks inward for God Save the Queen BRITTEN (1913-1976) Home, Sweet Home and Anchor’s Weighed.