News

Ben Folds with the ESO: March 29

kberezanski@winspearcentre.com (Kris) — Tue, 07 Feb 2012 20:58:02 +0000

Ben Folds and the ESO present an exclusive night of perfect piano pop

Ben Folds with the ESO

Thursday, March 29, 2012 at 8:00 pm

Piano rock icon Ben Folds makes his Edmonton debut in a special one night performance with the Edmonton Symphony Orchestra and Enbridge Resident Conductor Lucas Waldin.

This highly anticipated concert marks the first time Ben Folds performs with a Canadian orchestra. Folds will entertain with hits, including Brick, Zak & Sara and Army, spanning his music career from his days as the frontman of Ben Folds Five through his solo efforts of the last ten years. His live shows are known for their energy and charisma where his storytelling and wit play as much a role as the music.

Known foremost as a rock singer and pianist, Folds upholds a special relationship with orchestras. Over the last six years he performed with renowned orchestras throughout the United States and Australia. One of his performances with the West Australian Symphony Orchestra was released on DVD to much critical praise in 2005.

Alberta: Songs of Our Land

philip.paschke@winspearcentre.com (Philharmonic) — Thu, 19 Jan 2012 23:57:01 +0000

The ESO Education Concerts take students across Alberta

Feb. 8, 14 and 15, 2012 at 10:30 am & 1 pm (1 hour in length)

This season’s Grades 4-6 ESO and Lehigh Hanson Education Concerts, Alberta: Songs of our Land, combine classical masterpieces with traditional music from across the province to inspire respect for the land and encourage identity and belonging within Alberta.

Created and led by Enbridge Resident Conductor Lucas Waldin, the concert will explore the Aboriginal communities of Alberta, from First Nations to Métis to Intuit, using music to depict the land and legends that define their cultures.

Fiddlers from Prince Charles School, Enoch Cree singers, Métis child jiggers and musical prodigy and fiddler Calvin Vollrath all take the stage to give students a unique and authentic experience.

Late Night Romantics: Jan 13

philip.paschke@winspearcentre.com (Philharmonic) — Fri, 06 Jan 2012 21:26:23 +0000

Late Night opens on a provocative note with pianist Kemal Gekić
Bill Eddins and the ESO present “ultra-romantic” music

Late Night Romantics

January 13, 2012 at 9:30pm

Kemal Gekić, one of today’s most seductive and sensitive pianists, presents his daring approach to the music of Franz Liszt. The Late Night audience will also enjoy other music from titans of the Romantic age.

“Gekić rides the charismatic edge of genius,” said R. Dyer, Boston Globe. According to James Roos of the Miami Herald, “He is something like a general who has learned all the rules in the book and is therefore free to ignore them in the time of war.”

Known worldwide for his daring approach to tone and form and vast repertoire, Croatian-American Gekić will perform Liszt’s Fantasia on The Ruins of Athens, generating his usual frenzied audience enthusiasm. As a recording artist, his original views of music, including his Rossini-Liszt transcriptions, won him accolades in Europe, America and Japan.

A Wild Symphonic Ride: January 7

philip.paschke@winspearcentre.com (Philharmonic) — Tue, 03 Jan 2012 17:36:48 +0000

Esso Symphony for Kids: A Wild Symphonic Ride

January 7, 2012 at 2 pm (pre-concert activities at 1pm)

An eclectic mix of local dancers twirl and twist with the ESO
From swing to salsa, the third Esso Symphony for Kids concert features the art of dance

From leaps and shimmies to pirouettes and even the Lindy Hop, A Wild Symphonic Ride takes families on a whirlwind tour of the energy, artistry and sheer fun of dancing. Enbridge Resident Conductor Lucas Waldin leads the symphony while Edmonton’s most talented, young dancers and acrobats representing some of the community’s finest dance organizations shake and spin.

Students from Strathcona high school bring their passion for Broadway on stage while above stage Firefly Theatre acrobats showcase their aerial circus acts. Dancers from Sugar Swing Dance Club and Knock School of Irish Dance will have guests jitterbugging and tapping in their seats.

"This will be one of this season's highlights as we showcase the extraordinary wealth of young talent here in Edmonton,” said Waldin. “When you aren't enjoying the sights and colours of our special guests, you'll be holding onto your seat as the ESO takes you on a wild ride through a variety of sparkling show pieces for orchestra.”

A Lightly Classical Christmas

philip.paschke@winspearcentre.com (Philharmonic) — Mon, 12 Dec 2011 21:26:23 +0000

Concert blends classical with just plain classic
Over 100 voices add an elaborate musicality to traditional holiday favourites

A Lightly Classical Christmas

Wednesday, December 21 at 7:30 pm

Thursday, December 22 at 8 pm

Have yourself a merry little Christmas in two evenings devoted to the beloved classical and traditional music of the season. Rising American conducting star Stuart Chafetz makes his ESO debut, leading Canadian bass-baritone Nathan Berg, the magical voices of over 100 Richard Eaton Singers and the Edmonton Symphony Orchestra.

Resident Conductor of the Milwaukee Symphony Orchestra, Stuart Chafetz brings his rich holiday sentimentality and engaging personality to the Winspear for exquisite orchestral arrangements and grand choral masterpieces.

Lending his “first-class voice” (The Boston Globe), one of the most in-demand bass-baritones of his generation Nathan Berg will enchant the audience with his internationally acclaimed musicality and artistry. Performing traditional favourites including You’re a Mean One, Mr. Grinch, The Most Wonderful Time of the Year and What Child Is This?, Berg will also join forces with RES for pieces including Silent Night, Joy to the World and a stirring rendition of O Holy Night.

Handel's Messiah: Dec 16 & 17

philip.paschke@winspearcentre.com (Philharmonic) — Wed, 07 Dec 2011 18:12:28 +0000

The ESO presents Handel’s Messiah in its entirety

Handel's Messiah

Friday, December 16, 2011 at 7:30 pm

Saturday, December 17, 2011 at 7:30 pm

Christmas at the Winspear continues with the traditional holiday performances of Handel’s Messiah, one of the world’s most cherished works of faith and inspiration. Four Edmonton natives and three of Edmonton’s finest choirs return to fully evoke this powerful marriage of scripture and song.

Returning to the ESO, Soprano Linda Perillo, Mezzo-Soprano Frances Jellard, Tenor John Tessier and Baritone Nathan Berg will recreate the opulent power and stirring contrast of this famous oratorio, with a libretto excerpted from scripture by Charles Jennens.

Joining the orchestra and these highly-acclaimed vocalists, over 80 voices from i Coristi Chamber Choir, the University of Alberta Madrigal Singers and Òran will add the full richness to the performance, once again bringing guests to their feet with the climactic “Hallelujah” chorus – the most famous piece from Messiah.

Music Director William Eddins will take the harpsichord role for the concert and will lead the orchestra through various head nods and signals – a rare and challenging undertaking.

ESO Young Composers Project

philip.paschke@winspearcentre.com (Philharmonic) — Wed, 02 Nov 2011 20:48:06 +0000

The ESO searches for its next Young Composer

One local high school student will win a $1,000 bursary

The Edmonton Symphony Orchestra will premiere one local student’s original score for more than 2,000 Edmontonians at Symphony Under the Sky 2012. As part of the Young Composers Project, the ESO invites high school students passionate about composing to apply for the rare opportunity to receive compositional mentorship.

This year’s Young Composer can look forward to working with Resident Composer Robert Rival over a period of six months. During this time, the student learns everything about writing for an orchestra − sketching ideas, building a solid structure, learning to write for all instruments, creating a professional score and individual parts, understanding the rehearsal process and, of course, basking in the glory of a world premiere.

"The ESO's Young Composers Project provides an incredible opportunity for young, aspiring composers to get their music performed publicly by a professional orchestra,” said Robert Rival. “To acquire this experience while still in high school is nothing short of incredible. I look forward to meeting this year's composer and guiding her/him through the process, from initial sketches to the highly anticipated world premiere at Symphony Under the Sky 2012."

This year’s mentee will also receive a $1,000 bursary towards post-secondary studies, helping the student take the next steps towards achieving his/her goals.

“This has been an incredible experience that I will cherish for many years to come,” said last year’s winner Andrew Reid. “This program was a very beneficial learning experience for me, and hearing my composition being played by such phenomenal musicians has truly been remarkable.”

Students can submit applications online until Dec. 2, 2011. They must provide:

up to three sample compositions;
a reference letter; and
reasons they deserve to become the ESO’s next Young Composer.

Click here for more information and to apply.

Symphonic Sorcery: October 29

philip.paschke@winspearcentre.com (Philharmonic) — Wed, 26 Oct 2011 20:22:49 +0000

Harry Potter casts a spell on the ESO in a magical concert for muggles

Symphonic Sorcery: The Magical Music of Harry Potter

ESSO Symphony for Kids

October 29, 2011 at 2 pm

Pre-concert activities at 1 pm. Families can arrive early to bewitch musicians and touch spine-chilling “pets”.

Children of all ages can relive the charm and wonder of Harry Potter in the first ESSO Symphony for Kids concert of the season. The Edmonton Symphony Orchestra welcomes families to experience an imaginative tale set to the magically entertaining music of Harry Potter at the Winspear Centre.

Enbridge Resident Conductor Lucas Waldin joins host Professor Dumbledore, played by Doug McKeag of Dandi Productions, on stage to lead the orchestra and audience into the secret world of enchantments and hexes.

The ESO will play excerpts from the first film Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone all the way to the sixth film Harry Potter and the Half Blood Prince. Guests will hear music by American Composer John Williams who has written music for some of the most famous film scores in the history of motion pictures − Superman, Indiana Jones, E.T., Hook, Star Wars, Jurassic Park and, of course, Harry Potter.

The pre-concert “Magical Music” activities for kids begin at 1 pm in the main lobby. Children can make wands, cast spells on musicians while learning about music, see magic tricks and touch cuddly and creepy creatures, including rabbits, snakes and a tarantula. Children are encouraged to wear costumes.

Viva Italia! at the Robbins Pops

philip.paschke@winspearcentre.com (Philharmonic) — Mon, 17 Oct 2011 20:47:25 +0000

Guest Conductor Michael Krajewski takes ‘bella musica’ from Italy to Edmonton

The ESO and guests Poperazzi fuse classical style with rock and pop energy

Viva Italia!
Friday, October 28 at 8 pm
Saturday, October 29 at 8 pm

From Pavarotti to Sinatra, vocal trio Poperazzi and the Edmonton Symphony Orchestra bring all things Italian to the Winspear Centre. Recently bursting onto the symphony pops scene, Poperazzi captivates audiences with its explosive style and groundbreaking performances.

Italian classics, including “Be Italian” from Nine and music from The Godfather, will transport guests to the beaches of Napoli and the cafés in Tuscany. Guest Conductor Michael Krajewski, Principal Pops Conductor of the Houston, Jacksonville and Atlanta symphonies, will lead the ESO through selections from Jersey Boys and Pavarotti, to name a few.

Tenors George DeMott and Cody Shawn Gay together with soprano Janien Valentine form this Las Vegas-based trio which will make its ESO debut this season. DeMott won the 1993 Metropolitan Opera National Council Audition’s regional finals, while Gay starred in shows such as Phantom and Grease. Valentine starred in three world premiere musicals, including the title role in Carmen, and was voted the Best Female Singer and Thespian by the Las Vegas Review Journal and the Las Vegas Sun.

Alberta Arts Days at Winspear Centre

philip.paschke@winspearcentre.com (Philharmonic) — Tue, 27 Sep 2011 17:58:01 +0000

The Winspear Centre celebrates Alberta Arts Days with a free concert and activities

September 30 – October 2, 2011
The Francis Winspear Centre for Music and the Edmonton Symphony Orchestra welcome Albertans to experience the art of music from September 30 – October 2 as part of Alberta Arts Days.

For three days, hundreds of thousands of Albertans will come together to celebrate local artists and arts organizations. Thrilled to participate in the recognition of the province’s rich and vibrant arts scene, the Winspear Centre invites the community into one of North America’s finest concert halls for free public events.

“Alberta Arts Days is a reflection of the spirit of this province,” said Lindsay Blackett, Minister of Alberta Culture and Community Spirit. “Exciting, dynamic, bold, creative - that spirit is so evident in the events planned at the Winspear.”

News

Ben Folds with the ESO: March 29

Ben Folds and the ESO present an exclusive night of perfect piano pop

Alberta: Songs of Our Land

The ESO Education Concerts take students across Alberta

Late Night Romantics: Jan 13

Late Night opens on a provocative note with pianist Kemal Gekić Bill Eddins and the ESO present “ultra-romantic” music

A Wild Symphonic Ride: January 7

Esso Symphony for Kids: A Wild Symphonic Ride

An eclectic mix of local dancers twirl and twist with the ESO From swing to salsa, the third Esso Symphony for Kids concert features the art of dance

A Lightly Classical Christmas

Concert blends classical with just plain classic Over 100 voices add an elaborate musicality to traditional holiday favourites

Handel's Messiah: Dec 16 & 17

The ESO presents Handel’s Messiah in its entirety

ESO Young Composers Project

The ESO searches for its next Young Composer

Symphonic Sorcery: October 29

Harry Potter casts a spell on the ESO in a magical concert for muggles

Viva Italia! at the Robbins Pops

Guest Conductor Michael Krajewski takes ‘bella musica’ from Italy to Edmonton

Alberta Arts Days at Winspear Centre

The Winspear Centre celebrates Alberta Arts Days with a free concert and activities

Late Night opens on a provocative note with pianist Kemal Gekić
Bill Eddins and the ESO present “ultra-romantic” music

An eclectic mix of local dancers twirl and twist with the ESO
From swing to salsa, the third Esso Symphony for Kids concert features the art of dance

Concert blends classical with just plain classic
Over 100 voices add an elaborate musicality to traditional holiday favourites