'French Passion' concert features symphony, guest violinist Andrew Sords

The Carson City Symphony, directed by David Bugli, presents a concert, "French Passion," at 4 p.m. Sunday at the Carson City Community Center.

The concert features award-winning, guest violinist Andrew Sords in a performance of Eduoard Lalo's "Symphonie espagnole." This all-French program, suitable for people of all ages, also includes Georges Bizet's "L'Arlesienne Suite No. 1" and Gabriel Faure's "Dolly Suite."

"The theme came after the selections were made," Bugli said. "When French composers want to express passion in their music they use Spanish lyrics."

The idea for this was originally proposed by Sords, who wanted the selections to be part of his repertoire for the year, Bugli said.

"I looked at how we could match up the selections, worked up a few pieces and here we are."

"Dolly Suite," Bugli explained, was originally written by Faure as a one-movement piece for piano, honoring his mistress's daughter. It is believed that he added movements as she grew up. The common theme in each selection is love and passion.

"'L'Arlesienne' which means 'Woman from Arles' is about a young man being interested in a woman and then it moves into a very passionate, sinuous, slow movement where an older man and woman reflect on their younger passion," Bugli said.

"So it's kind of like going to the store, picking up raisins, nuts and peppers and saying 'do these things go together?' and deciding that yes we can do this, there is a common thread - whatever that may be - and tying it all together."

Carson City Symphony began rehearsals the Wednesday after New Years for this concert.

"We have seven or eight rehearsals, which is about twice what most orchestras get," Bugli said. "This is supposed to be a learning process so it's rewarding when I hear someone say they never knew they could do this and there they are.

"We have some very fine players, many who perform in other outlets so occasionally someone will miss a rehearsal, because (the arts) are drawing from a smaller pool of enthusiastic talent and they all want to be involved in everything."

Carson City Symphony is known for it's outstanding performances and are pleased to have Sords, who resides in Cleveland, Ohio and tours extensively, performing in the United States and internationally. He performed with Carson City Symphony in October 2007 and returns by popular demand.

Committed to extending classical music to all, Sords dedicates part of his time to educational outreach, master classes and community programming. While he is in Carson City, he will visit students in the new orchestra classes at Carson and Eagle Valley middle schools.

Sunday's concert also includes pre-concert entertainment, beginning at 3 p.m. in the lobby and a Meet-the-Soloist preview begins at 3:15 p.m. in the Sierra Room.

Tickets cost $15 for general admission; $12 for seniors, students and association members; and free for age 16 and younger, available at Play Your Own Music in the Carson Mall, 775-885-7529; online at ccsymphony.com and at the door.

For more information, call 775-883-4154 or visit ccsymphony.com.