Photo: Contributed

The Okanagan Symphony Orchestra presents Joie de Vivre! 

The concert celebrates the music and inspiration of the French Romantics, including Chopin, Ravel and Saint-Saens.

Pianist Jaeden Izik-Dzurko of Salmon Arm is guest artist, having first played with the OSO when he was just 13. He's now a student at the prestigious Juilliard School of Music.

Izik-Dzurko will perform two concertos: Chopin’s Andante spianato et grande polonaise brilliant, as well as The Romantic Concerto by Penticton composer Ernst Schneider. 

The Vernon performance of The Romantic Concerto will be recorded for future CD release.

The Okanagan Symphony Youth Orchestra will also perform alongside the OSO on Ravel's La Valse, bringing 120 musicians together on stage.

Ravel is widely considered one of the greatest orchestrators of all time. Also on the program is his collection of miniatures Ma Mere l’Oye (Mother Goose Suite), filled with the charm and innocence of well-loved fairy tales.

"These performances will be remarkable not only for our talent on stage, but also for our material.... If your only experience with Ravel is through Bolero, don’t miss Ma Mere l’Oye and La Valse, which show off his masterful creativity," says OSO music director Rosemary Thomson.

• Kelowna Community Theatre – Friday, Feb. 15, 7:30 p.m. Tickets 250-862-2867
• Cleland Theatre (Penticton) – Saturday, Feb. 16, at 7:30 p.m. Tickets 888-974-9170
• Vernon Performing Arts Centre – Sunday, Feb. 17 at 7 p.m. TicketSeller 250-549-7469