Calvin Dyck - VIS Concertmaster
An interview article by Rosemary Phillips, March 2002
Calvin Dyck, Canadian violinist and concertmaster with the
Vancouver Island Symphony, emanates enthusiasm and exuberance wherever
he goes, whenever he speaks, and whenever he plays. Here it just
flowed throughout this interview which was written in preparation
for his appearance as guest artist with the Vancouver Island Symphony
on March 23, 2002.
Calvin Dyck, violinist, plays Mozart
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| Calvin Dyck |
While the province of B.C. reels in shock over cuts and loss of
services, Calvin Dyck, concertmaster for the Vancouver Island Symphony,
can't hold back his enthusiasm for the future. "I'm excited
with what is coming up, but I can't tell you yet," he said
with a teasing voice, which leaves us hanging in suspense of what
that future might be.
More immediate is Calvin's performance as soloist, along with Neil
Miskey, principal violist of the Vancouver Symphony, for Mozart's
"Sinfonia Concertante" on Saturday, March 23 at 7:30 p.m.
in the Port Theatre with the V.I.S.
"It's a beautiful piece to play," added Calvin, "one
of the nicest pieces for violin and viola I know. The first movement
is an allegro, it's strong, masculine, maybe triumphant in a way.
The second is an andante, a combination of nostalgia and heartache,
with the viola and violin egging each other on to higher and higher
tessituras (moving higher and higher up the scale). The finale is
a cheerful and exuberant rondo, rollicking."
Here Calvin paused then began to sing, "Pom, pom, pom, pom
- pom, pom, pom, pom." (Now how many journalists get the opportunity
to be sung to during an interview?) He didn't quite sound like his
violin, but he sure was making a huge energetic and bubbly effort
to relay the tempo of the music as best he could through the telephone
line. "It's almost like fiddle music in its cheerfulness. Mozart
was the kind of composer who liked to have fun, and this reflects
that impish character of his."
Throughout the "Sinfonia Concertante" both violin and
viola play off each other. Calvin continued, "Although one
might think that the violin and viola play together in duet, for
most of this piece they trade off and take turns as soloist, and
only occasionally do they play together."
This will be Calvin's first performance with Neil Miskey. "He
knows the part so well; he immediately adapts to any style. I guess
what I admire most is that he has such a consistent and beautiful
sound."
Calvin Dyck, violinist, concertmaster, teacher, dad
This may be a first, performing with Neil, but it's now Calvin's
third season with the VIS, crossing from Vancouver by ferry for
rehearsals and concerts. "It's been a good service and I've
never missed a rehearsal. Cellists and bassists are relieved that
we are back to the bigger ferries, and they can bring their instruments
on again (as walk-on passengers)."
And in those three years Calvin's responsibilities and family have
grown. "(Daughter) Christine has just turned five, and is in
pre-school, and Andrew will be four in May. They are in bed now
and supposed to be asleep, but I know one isn't," said Calvin
the dad.
Calvin the teacher has 35 students, and Calvin the organizer works
on organizing at least one concert a week, while Calvin the recording
artist is preparing to record his second CD, “This Shining
Night”, which is to be released in the fall. "It will
be a potpourri, some classical, some dance tunes, some favourite
sacred music," he explained. All this on top of a full season
with the VIS and the success of his first CD “Meditations”.
"The audience has been really supportive," he said of
Musical Voyages 2001/02. "Marlin (Wolfe) is such a good conductor
with good ideas. He brings a maturity; he knows what to do, what
to rehearse. We appreciate him."
And Calvin will be continuing with the VIS for the 2002/03 season.
"I'm quite excited about coming back next year. The symphony
continues to offer me unique opportunities that I wouldn't have
in any other situation."
So, we're just going to have to wait to find out what those unique
opportunities are. "I wish I could tell you what's on the horizon
next year, but that would be premature," he added with a laugh.
I wonder what he'll sing when he's interviewed next year?
Meanwhile, he's rehearsing diligently with Neil at Neil's artistic
home on the top of Mountain Highway, just below Grouse Mountain.
Said Calvin, "It's a beautiful place to play." And we
know that Calvin will be adding that influence to his passion and
talent when he and Neil take centre stage and perform Mozart this
coming Saturday night at the Port Theatre.
More information on tours and recordings can be obtained from
Calvin
Dyck's web site,
or through Caline
Artists Management and the Vancouver
Island Symphony.
For an article about Calvin Dyck and The
Golden Violin, please follow the linked text. You may also read
a review of a performance by Calvin
Dyck and Betty Suderman on this website.
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