Some young Powell River musicians are getting the opportunity to perform in a unique concert in Vancouver next week.
The Beatles White Album Revisited takes place on November 22, exactly 50 years after the influential double album’s original release. It features 29 interpretive arrangements of the famous songs by modern composers.
Teenage siblings Hannah, Sarah and Aaron Schweitzer got the chance to take part in the concert through their participation in Powell River Academy of Music’s Youth Choir. Its new conductor Lesley Sutherland is also a composer and arranged one of the songs.
Taking part in the event is a real thrill, according to Sarah.
“We’re going to be rehearsing and performing with a bunch of professional musicians,” she said. “It’s really cool.”
The idea for a reimagining of The Beatles recording was originally dreamed up for the 30th anniversary of the album’s release in 1998, according to composer and event co-producer Cameron Wilson.
“Then we did it two years later because there was such a demand,” he said.
But the ambitious performance has not been attempted since 2000.
“We’re doing the whole double album in order,” said Wilson. “It’s such a huge undertaking.”
The concert is also a reunion for many of the musicians and composers who have gone on to prolific careers.
“20 years have passed and these composers have gotten really big in the industry and they’re really experienced,” said Hannah. “It’s so great that they’re coming together for this big concert.”
Sutherland’s piece is an arrangement of “I Will” for vocals and a small ensemble.
“Bass, cello, violins, marimba, piano and gong, so it’s very modern,” said Sutherland, adding that she was inspired to reinterpret the piece as a reply to Paul McCartney’s original words and melody.
“Paul apparently wrote it to Linda [Eastman] as a love song, and then Linda died,” said Sutherland. “I’m writing it as an imagined response from Linda from the afterlife. An ethereal rendition.”
The chance to include some of her choir members in this experience is something Sutherland hopes will be the first of many opportunities the choir can provide local youth, adding to the community’s already rich choral heritage.
“It's wonderful that Lesley is bringing these kids,” said Wilson. “Powell River is such an artistic place and the choral scene is fantastic up there.”
The Beatles White Album Revisited takes place November 22 at 7:30 at St. James Hall in Vancouver. It is sold out, but CBC will be making a live recording.
