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Remembering Malcolm Forsyth Part 3

philip.paschke@winspearcentre.com (Robert Rival) — Thu, 10 Nov 2011 22:21:55 +0000

On November 11 and 12, 2011 the ESO and the Richard Eaton Singers will perform the late Malcolm Forsyth’s last work, A Ballad of Canada, at the Winspear Centre. To celebrate this occasion, ESO Resident Composer Robert Rival interviewed two distinguished Alberta composers, Allan Gordon Bell and Allan Gilliland, about Dr. Forsyth’s life and work.

In this interview, Gilliland recalls getting dressed down for missing a dress rehearsal, composition lessons in a room housing three JUNOs, Forsyth’s immense knowledge of and complete immersion in the orchestra, and invaluable lessons learned working as Forsyth’s copyist.

Music from Electra Rising: Concerto for Violoncello and Chamber Orchestra

Duration: 16:01 minutes

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Remembering Malcolm Forsyth Part 2

philip.paschke@winspearcentre.com (Robert Rival) — Mon, 07 Nov 2011 20:53:58 +0000

In this second of two podcasts, Bell describes his first "terrifying" encounter with his teacher and Forsyth’s "unshakable belief in the value of a work of art". Bell also shares his favourite works and muses about Forsyth’s legacy.

Music from Sagittarius (lead-in) and Concerto for Trumpet and Orchestra (lead-out)

Duration: 16:10 minutes

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Remembering Malcolm Forsyth Part 1

philip.paschke@winspearcentre.com (Robert Rival) — Tue, 01 Nov 2011 19:40:15 +0000

Robert Rival Interviews Allan Gordon Bell (Part 1)

In this first of two podcasts, Bell discusses sensuous beauty in Forsyth’s music, the freshness of his musical style, the influence of his African heritage, his embrace of indigenous Canadian musics, his dictum “compose for musicians, not instruments”, and reports on a very special answering machine message.

Music from Atayoskewin, Suite for Orchestra

Duration: 16:01 minutes

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Robert Rival interviews Rob Teehan

philip.paschke@winspearcentre.com (Robert Rival) — Wed, 05 Oct 2011 16:43:31 +0000

“Dreams of Flying”: Interview with Composer Rob Teehan

In 2010, “Dreams of Flying” by Toronto composer Rob Teehan was nominated for a JUNO award in the category “Classical Composition of the Year”. At 27, he was the youngest composer to ever receive this honour. On Thursday, October 6, at 8:00pm the Edmonton Symphony Orchestra performs this rhythmically vital and melodically soaring work at the Winspear Centre.

In this podcast accompanied by excerpts from the music, ESO Resident Composer Robert Rival asks Rob Teehan about the idea behind the piece, whether being a tuba player gives him special insight into orchestral writing, why the piece has such a large percussion section, and the influence of Rob’s experience playing in diverse styles, including rock and jazz.

Duration: 14:17 minutes

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Why Zappa

philip.paschke@winspearcentre.com (Robert Rival) — Thu, 10 Mar 2011 22:44:12 +0000

This Tuesday the ESO performs one of the most unique concerts of this season - or of many seasons, probably - and I thought I would take the opportunity to reprint an article by ESO Principal Trombone John McPherson about why this particular concert is important. Enjoy:

Live Tweeting in 1922

philip.paschke@winspearcentre.com (Robert Rival) — Thu, 10 Feb 2011 19:12:03 +0000

Greg Sandow wrote a post recently about what the Metropolitan Opera was like in the 1920s. In it he talks about how soloists making their Met debut would bring contingents of family and friends along, and: "At one debut, a special telegraph line was installed backstage, so that people at home could get a blow by blow account of the debut."

Sounds like "social media" was alive and well back in the 20s!

Gotta love those Ted Talks!

philip.paschke@winspearcentre.com (Robert Rival) — Fri, 28 Jan 2011 17:25:27 +0000

Another great TED talk to post, this time featuring LA Phil violinist Robert Gupta speaking about his experience with Nathaniel Ayers (otherwise known to the world as The Soloist). In his talk "Music is Medicine, Music is Sanity" Gupta explores the impact of music on Nathaniel's well being. The video is embedded after the break, and well worth watching!

Stuck in the past?

philip.paschke@winspearcentre.com (Robert Rival) — Tue, 14 Dec 2010 20:51:17 +0000

Recently a comment was left on a page advertising our seat sale (ok, that's it for the shameless self promotion for at least a paragraph or two) which said:

"I would gladly purchase some tickets for a concert that would be more contemporary and familiar in theme (post 1960s movies, musicals, etc.)and arranged in the orchestral/symphonic format. I thought the ESO was moving in the right direction with the Procol Harum concerts, I do not see any upcoming offerings of more current symphonic stylings in the schedule. Without this longterm change in focus, the ESO will have to continue to rely on those patrons that appreciate the "historical" symphonic genres (I am including the current Pops series here), and this following will probably last as long as the Baby Boomers are alive. My Christmas wish ( a man in his 50's) would be that the ESO Board start thinking ahead in this regard please."

Now, understanding that we really do appreciate feedback, I was prompted to write a long-ish defense of sorts of our concert offerings. It's long enough to warrant a blog entry, so I've posted it after the break...

Field Trip Two

philip.paschke@winspearcentre.com (Robert Rival) — Wed, 08 Dec 2010 19:02:00 +0000

November was a busy month and December... well, it's December. But I'm going to take you waaaaay back to October and give you my promised report on field trip number two. This was a personal field trip, unrelated to my work with the ESO, but I did get the chance to attend the LA Phil, conducted by Gustavo Dudamel at the Disney Concert Hall.

Wow.

Gala Mashup

philip.paschke@winspearcentre.com (Robert Rival) — Wed, 03 Nov 2010 20:28:12 +0000

In 2008 our opening Season Gala featured soprano Renee Fleming; in 2009 our Season Gala's guest artist was Dmitri Hvorostovsky. Perhaps you went to one or both performances, but what if those concerts happened at the same time?