Vancouver Symphony Orchestra Brings Ravel’s Iconic “Boléro” to Surrey

The Vancouver Symphony Orchestra (VSO) will present a captivating concert in Surrey on March 1, 2024, featuring the iconic composition “Boléro” by Maurice Ravel. The performance, scheduled for 3:30 p.m. at the Sullivan Heights Theatre, will showcase the talents of Scottish percussionist Colin Currie under the direction of conductor Naomi Woo.

The afternoon concert marks the continuation of the Surrey Sundays series, beginning with Haydn’s “Drumroll” Symphony No. 103, followed by Nicole Lizée’s innovative piece, “Blurr is the Colour of My True Love’s Eyes.” The highlight of the event will be Ravel’s “Boléro,” known for its driving snare drum rhythm and a powerful climax that has made it a staple in classical music.

“Boléro” is often regarded as one of the most sensuous compositions in the classical repertoire. Its popularity surged in the 1970s, particularly after being featured in the film 10, directed by Blake Edwards, where it accompanied a memorable scene involving actors Bo Derek and Dudley Moore. According to a post on yourclassical.org, the piece began to appear in sensual contexts during this decade, including a documentary on gay erotica.

The structure of “Boléro” is particularly notable, with a single drummer repeating the same two-bar rhythm a total of 170 times. This repetition transforms the piece into what classical-music.com describes as an “orchestral automaton.” The piece evolves through Ravel’s orchestration of two distinct melodies and culminates in a massive crescendo, showcasing Ravel’s experimental approach to orchestral music.

Currie will also perform Lizée’s “Blurr,” which is described on vancouversymphony.ca as a “tour-de-force” inspired by techniques found in stop-motion film and photography. Concert tickets are available starting at $45.

Prior to the concert, a prelude performance will be held at 2:45 p.m. in the Bell Theatre lobby, featuring the VSO School of Music Chamber Ensemble. This will be followed by an awards ceremony recognizing recipients of the Werner and Helga Höing Award from the Surrey School District, fostering a spirit of community engagement alongside the musical experience.

With an exciting lineup of performances, the VSO concert promises to be a memorable afternoon for classical music enthusiasts in Surrey.