Scarborough Philharmonic Orchestra "Russian Showpieces"

National Anthem: Peter Masson
Rotary Grace: Al Meredith
Toast to Canada & the Queen: President Rocco

Attending: 16 including guests
Jackie Davis Toronto R.C.,
Kaye Royer, our guest speaker on behalf of the Scarborough Philharmonic Orchestra
Nahla Chandour, Toronto Earlscourt R.C.
Mandy Nwobu guest of Emanuel N, a potential member

Announcements:
(I didn’t hear of any but here are some to keep track of)

✏April 23rd Leaders’ Panel Discussion, Scarborough Renewal Campaign at Scarboro Golf and Country Club 7:00 pm

✏ Club Fireside Friday, May 2nd 7:00 pm at Rocco and Lillian’s home (all members and their spouses are welcome. Please advise Charles Whitney of your intentions)

✏ 8:00 pm Saturday, May 3rd Salvation Army Citadel (Lawrence at Warden) 
Russian Showpieces, supported by the Rotary Clubs in Scarborough

Marbelous Draw:
Charles officiated at the draw and it was our stalwart Jack Holman who had the winning ticket.... but could only exclaim “son of a gun” when he was only received $5.00 for his efforts.

Sargeant at Arms:
Jim Boyko took time away from his pile of tax forms to act like the Receiver General and fine any of those present who were unaware and those who were that the Montreal Canadiens are the only “Canadian” team in the hunt for the NHL Stanley Cup.

Then happy bucks were solicited from many who were happy that the previous day’s snowfall was slowly disappearing. (Your scribe having just returned from many warm months in Florida and also in Hawaii wasn’t sure if he chose the right month to return!)

Program:
Jim Boyko, in the absence of Jacob Lakirovich, introduced guest speaker Kaye Royer. She plays in six orchestras as well as teaching clarinet and is married to the SPO conductor  This time she did not bring her clarinet but explained that she will be playing it as one of the principals in the Scarborough Philharmonic Orchestra’s production of Russian Showpieces on Saturday May 3 at 8:00 pm.  The concert will be held at the Salvation Army Scarborough Citadel 2021 Lawrence Ave East (at Warden).

The concert program will include masterpieces by the Russian composers Prokofiev, Shostakovich, Prokofiev and Khachaturian. Kaye explained that it is a tradition in Russia to gather together young people and have them play string instruments together. Jacob Lakerovich has eleven of his students joining the orchestra on this occasion. The Prokofiev Piano Concerto No. 3 will be a main program feature and as Kaye says “it is almost impossible to stay seated when it’s finished”.  The featured pianist “Elista” is also the second pianist at the Toronto Symphony Orchestra.
Another symphony that will be featured is Shostoakovich Symphony No. 9.  He worked under the heavy hand of the Stalin regime “who was not the nicest individual”.  The Gulag always had open doors for non-conformists, especially musicians. 

Kaye mentioned a DVD that is available on You-tube “Shostakovich against Stalin , The War Symphonies” It is a film by Larry Weistein. It illustrates how a musician worked under the influence of that regime. This symphony is nicknamed “the Circus Symphony” which seemed to be light hearted and not what Stalin had expected to hear at the conclusion of the Great Patriotic War as WW 2 is called in Russia.  

Much more can be learned by tuning into the recording of Kaye’s introduction of the program to be heard on May 2nd.

 https://www.dropbox.com/s/ryxiqtt7ndd1gir/Kaye%20Royer.MP3

The meeting was concluded with a thank you for her presentation by Mike Mushet 

Follow the link to hear the Audio

https://www.dropbox.com/s/ryxiqtt7ndd1gir/Kaye%20Royer.MP3