Jessie Rivest reviews an OSO performance in Kelowna Friday, April 4, 2025

I walked down Water St. with my partner, who was about to hear the OSO play for the first time. As I attempted to bring him up-to-speed on the previous candidate conductors, and the season thus far, I became more excited to get to the show and meet Julian Pellicano, the fourth and final candidate conductor with a broad and unique musical background. What unfolded was an evening rich with connection乌鸦传媒攂etween composers, across eras, and among the musicians themselves.

A theme of 乌鸦传媒渂ridges乌鸦传媒� emerged: between composers who lived and died within years of each other, and between eras乌鸦传媒攚hen listeners tune in to music from 300 years ago, 30 years ago, or just 3 minutes ago.

1770乌鸦传媒檚 Charm

Joseph Bologne乌鸦传媒檚 Symphony No. 1 in G Major opened the evening with grace and poise, offering a taste of the Classical era乌鸦传媒檚 elegance. While lighter in emotional stakes than the works that followed, it still provided moments of interest乌鸦传媒攑articularly in its antiphonal textures, where strings engaged in a playful back-and-forth, almost like a musical conversation. The OSO handled these interchanges with clarity and charm, keeping the energy buoyant.

Timeless Touches

Renowned pianist Janina Fialkowska has been touring the world for over 50 years, and what a treat it was to have her stop in Kelowna! Her playing was fluid and heartfelt, her hands billowing like silk across the keys. One could feel the orchestra breathing with her, especially through the final movement乌鸦传媒檚 thrilling transitions. Pellicano told us backstage that he had heard Chopin乌鸦传媒檚 piano concerto many times, and Fialkowska was the most delicate, musical second movement he乌鸦传媒檇 ever heard乌鸦传媒攁nd it showed. There was a massive standing ovation before breaking for intermission, where the crowd lined up to buy her book, A Note In Time.

Swifties

The Bridgerton-inspired medley was a delightful surprise, bringing the lush aesthetic of the popular Netflix series (even for those of us who haven乌鸦传媒檛 watched it) to life with clever string arrangements of iconic pop tracks. The transition from Madonna乌鸦传媒檚 乌鸦传媒淢aterial Girl乌鸦传媒� to Alanis Morissette乌鸦传媒檚 乌鸦传媒淵ou Oughta Know乌鸦传媒� was especially unique yet seamless. Because so much of the piece relied on unison playing, the few moments where entrances or tone didn乌鸦传媒檛 perfectly align stood out, but they were minor in an otherwise entertaining romp. It was a joy to witness so many heads bobbing in the crowd, and Pellicano used the opportunity to demonstrate that the same level of artistic integrity can shine whether conducting Chopin or Taylor Swift.

Sound Worlds from Italy

Mendelssohn乌鸦传媒檚 Italian Symphony closed the evening with flair, its final movement inspired by a southern Italian folk dance once rumoured to sweat out spider venom乌鸦传媒攁n ancient ritual that bordered on the trance-like. Pellicano shared his personal connection to this repertoire, havinggrown up immersed in music specific to the region. That intimacy came through in his interpretation: transitions between movements felt both natural and striking, like gently falling into a dream only to be jolted awake by a joyful rhythm. The orchestra moved with growing cohesion throughout, and the wind section shone especially bright in the final movement with its nimble, articulate lines. It was clear the OSO was not just performing the piece, but living inside it.

Bridges and Beyond

Pellicano proved himself a skilled guide in building those bridges乌鸦传媒攂etween past and present, artist and audience, soloist and symphony. As the OSO乌鸦传媒檚 65th season continues, anticipation builds: which of the four candidates will be named the next Music Director? The decision will be revealed by the end of May 2025.

Jessie Rivest is a vocalist, sound artist, creative coach, and local arts supporter living in Kelowna.