The Strathcona Symphony Orchestra’s (SSO) From Dark to Light! program features two of Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky’s iconic works, Symphony No. 5 in E Minor, and one of the most difficult violin pieces in history, Violin Concerto in D Major, with Canadian-born soloist, Gregory Lewis.

The performances will be at the Filberg Centre in Courtenay (Friday, May 24th) and the Tidemark Theatre in Campbell River (Saturday, May 25th).

A Canada Council for the Arts recipient, Gregory won the right to play a 1768 Gagliano violin for three years and he will be the SSO’s guest soloist for the challenging violin piece.

Gregory grew up in Thunder Bay and left at the age of sixteen to pursue his musical education and a bachelor’s degree in Winnipeg before relocating to the U.S. to get a master’s degree at Yale University. He is now pursuing his Doctor of Musical Arts degree while simultaneously playing in Yale’s award-winning Quartet in Residence, the Callisto Quartet. The Callisto Quartet maintains a busy international touring schedule, appearing at notable venues including Carnegie Hall, the Kennedy Center, and the Ravinia Festival.

Gregory’s connection with SSO Music Director and solo cellist, Helena Jung, dates to 2017 when he first performed on Vancouver Island with Campbell River-born pianist, Carter Johnson. Carter introduced Gregory to Helena, and the three musicians toured Vancouver Island in 2018 and 2019. Helena contacted Gregory in early 2023 with the idea of performing Tchaikovsky’s violin concerto with the SSO and Gregory enthusiastically agreed to the request.

The concert’s title, From Dark to Light! refers to the emotional trajectory of Tchaikovsky’s Symphony No. 5 and Violin Concerto, taking the listener on a journey through a range of emotions, from darker, more turbulent passages to moments of light, hope, and resolution.

Helena Jung, said, “I want the audience to feel how Tchaikovsky explores struggle, despair, and eventually triumph in Symphony No. 5, mirroring his inner turmoil.”

“In these times of political uncertainty, social unrest, and environmental challenges, I hope the theme of moving from darkness to light helps our listeners find inspiration and resilience,” she said.

Classical music has also served as the inspiration for modern pop music to ballads, including Frank Sinatra’s Moon Love which was adapted from Tchaikovsky’s 2nd movement in Symphony No. 5.

Tickets for the SSO’s From Dark to Light! Courtenay performance can be purchased at https://strathcona-symphony-orchestra.tickit.ca/ or the Campbell River concert at https://tidemarktheatre.com/events/. Tickets may be available at the door, but we have been selling out.

Please visit www.strathconasymphony.ca for more information or the SSO’s Facebook page, https://www.facebook.com/StrathconaSymphonyOrchestra.