Early in the morning of Easter Monday, 1917, almost 100,000 soldiers, thousands of miles away from their homeland, advanced to take a ridge on some high ground near a village in northern France. The success (at great cost) of this engagement would to be an important turning point in the history of Canada.

The Battle of Vimy Ridge is seen by many as a seminal point in Canadian history. Regardless of role in this country’s burgeoning independence, one fact that does remain is the terrible toll the battle took on Canadians. Not just the dead, though at some 3,600 deaths that was high enough, but over 7,000 wounded, scarred physically and mentally for life.

Music is said to soothe the soul; provide comfort and solace at a time of pain and suffering. And so it is that the Symphony of the Kootenays will mark this historic occasion with artistic responses to the war by artists who survived it – Maurice Ravel and Gabriel Fauré – and one who didn’t; Col. John McCrae. We present a program of contemplative music that reflects on the era and cost of the Vimy battle and war on April 8 at Key City Theatre.

The Requiem Mass is a liturgical work that marks death. Frequently set to music from classical to contemporary, it can range from angry to soulful. The symphony, with full local choir, will perform Gabriel’s Fauré’s beautiful Requiem, which lands decidedly on the soulful. It is particularly suited to mark the Vimy centennial in its plaintive call for peace and rest. The performance features two marvellous, youthful soloists: Soprano Laura Widgett and Baritone Brendan Thornhill.

Also on the program is Ravel’s Tombeau du Couperin, a lively eulogy to six friends of the composer who died in the First World War, fighting for France. Also, Cranbrook’s own William Grossman returns to the Key City Theatre stage to join with Thornhill and sing songs from and about the Great War era.

Today, the land so bitterly fought for a century ago is quiet. Not far away lies the final resting place for those who would never return to Canada. Above all of this, on that high ridge, stands the Canadian National Vimy Memorial, its twin spires representing the connection between Canada and France. Upon reading the names of many Canadians, including those from the Kootenay region, who never returned, the words chosen by Gabriel Fauré for his setting of the Requiem mass hauntingly touch us all: “Grant them Eternal Rest. Let perpetual light shine upon them, and let choirs of angels sing them to their rest.”

The concert is Saturday April 8 at 7:30 p.m. at Key City Theatre in Cranbrook.
For more information and to purchase tickets, visit www.sotk.ca or contact the Symphony at 250-489- 4932, email [email protected]

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