Edmonton Symphony Orchestra

As the professional orchestra of Alberta’s creative capital city, the Edmonton Symphony Orchestra presents over 80 concerts a year of symphonic music in all genres, from classical to country. The ESO is comprised of 56 full-time professional musicians who perform 42 weeks per season, and play an active role in the musical life of Edmonton and elsewhere as performers, teachers and recording artists. Currently in its 57th season, the ESO also performs as the orchestra for Edmonton Opera and Alberta Ballet productions, and its concerts and recordings are regularly heard across Canada on CBC Radio Two.

History

The Edmonton Symphony Orchestra was initially formed as Edmonton’s community orchestra and gave its first concert on November 14, 1920. The orchestra suspended operations in 1932, but was revived in 1952, when it was incorporated as a registered not-for-profit organization (the Edmonton Symphony Society), and gave its first performance on November 30, 1952. It made the transition to a fully professional orchestra in 1971. Today the ESO’s budget is over $8 million. It is deficit-free, and its players are the highest paid Canadian orchestral musicians west of Toronto.

Music Directors, Concertmasters, and Current Artistic Leadership

Music Directors and Conductors
* William Eddins 2005 to date
* Petar Dundjerski 2006-2008 (Assistant Conductor in Residence)
* Kazuyoshi Akiyama 2004-2005 (Principal Guest Conductor)
* Franz-Paul Decker 2003-2004 (Principal Guest Conductor)
* Grzegorz Nowak 1994-2002
* David Hoyt 1985-2002 (Resident Conductor), 2002-2003 (Artistic Director)
* Uri Mayer 1981-1994
* Yuval Zaliouk 1980-1981 (Interim Principal Conductor)
* Peter McCoppin 1978-1979 (Assistant Conductor), 1979-1980 (Resident Conductor)
* Pierre Hétu 1973-1979 (Artistic Director), 1979-1980 (Principal Guest Conductor)
* Lawrence Leonard 1968-1973
* Brian Priestman 1964-1968
* Tom Rolston 1960-1964 (Associate Conductor)
* Lee Hepner 1952-1960

Concertmasters
* Martin Riseley 1994 to date
* John Lowry 2002-2003 (Interim)
* James Keene 1972-1994
* Charles Dobias 1970-1972
* Marguerite Marzantowicz 1960-1964 (Interim), 1964-1970
* Tom Rolston 1958-1964
* Walter Holowach 1957-1958 (Interim)
* Alexander Nicol 1952-1957

Current Artistic Leadership
*William Eddins was appointed Music Director in January 2005 and made his debut as Music Director in June of that year. Prior to his appointment in Edmonton he spent ten years working with Daniel Barenboim, most recently as Resident Conductor of the Chicago Symphony Orchestra.
*Martin Riseley has been the orchestra's concertmaster since August 1994.

Performing Venue

In September 1997, the ESO and the Edmonton Concert Hall Foundation successfully completed a two-decade, $45 million capital campaign and moved from the Northern Alberta Jubilee Auditorium (the orchestra’s principal performing venue since 1957) into its new concert hall, the acoustically superb, 1716 seat Francis Winspear Centre for Music. The inaugural gala, at which the ESO performed Mahler's "Symphony of a Thousand" with the Calgary Philharmonic Orchestra, took place on September 13, 1997.

Community Commitment, Programming and Tours, Special Concerts

Community Commitment weekend.

Programming and Tours

The ESO’s history and the varied nature of its programming reflect its imaginative commitment to its community.
*In 1972, the Procol Harum album "Procol Harum Live with the Edmonton Symphony Orchestra" (right) and its hit single "Conquistador" became the first orchestral recording to achieve international platinum sales. The recording has recently been reissued as a compact disc.
*In 1985, the ESO premiered Malcolm Forsyth's "Atayoskewin" at the opening of Shell Canada's Scotford Refinery.
*In 1980, to celebrate Alberta's 75th anniversary, the orchestra toured the province.
*In 1986, the ESO performed at Vancouver’s Expo 86.
*In 1992, a televised ESO performance with k.d. lang conducted by Tommy Banks received a Gemini Award for "Best Television Variety Performance".
*In 1994, the orchestra undertook a five-city tour (the “Northern Lights Tour”) of northern Alberta, the Yukon and the Northwest Territories.
*In 1996, the ESO became the first Canadian orchestra to play on a First Nations Reserve.

Special Concerts

Special concerts drawing sold-out houses have featured, among others, k.d. lang in 1985, Tom Cochrane and Red Rider in 1989, The Arrogant Worms in 2002, Corb Lund in 2005, Paul Brandt in 2006, Video Games Live in 2007, and Ian Tyson on the 100th anniversary of the Province of Alberta on September 1, 2005. In December 2005, the orchestra returned to the Northern Alberta Jubilee Auditorium to present two sold-out Christmas concerts with Christian singer/pianist Michael W. Smith. The orchestra continues this tradition of working with musicians from a variety of musical genres.

Composers in Residence

John Estacio was the ESO's first Composer in Residence (1992-1999). He produced nine major works for the orchestra during his residency:
*"The Twins and the Monster" (2001)
*"The Brass Ring" (1999)
*"Frenergy" (1998)
*"Concerto for Piano, Violin and Cello" (1997)
*"Wondrous Light" (1997)
*"Borealis" (1997)
*"Victims of Us All" (1996)
*"A Farmer’s Symphony" (1994)
*"Alegria" (1994)

Allan Gilliland, the ESO’s second Composer in Residence (2000-2004) also composed nine major works for the orchestra, as well as a colorful new orchestration of Canada’s national anthem. Prior to his residency, Gilliland had been commissioned to write two works for the ESO. Following his residency, he was commissioned to write a jazz-flavoured rhapsody for piano and orchestra.
*"Dreaming of the Masters II (Rhapsody GEB)" (2008) (co-commission with CBC)
*"Above the Fold" (2004)
*Calixa Lavallée "O Canada" (new orchestration) (2004)
*"Dreaming of the Masters I" (2003)
*"Gaol’s Ruadh Ròs – A Celtic Concerto for Two Harps" (2003)
*"Always Be True" (2002)
*"Violin Concerto" (2002)
*"A Wild Symphonic Ride" (2002)
*"Loch na Beiste" (2001)
*"On the Shoulders of Giants" (2001)
*"Shadows and Light" (2000)
*"Winspear Fanfare" (1997)
*"Trumpet Concerto" (1994)

Canadian Commissions

as part of the "Alberta Scene" festival.

Works commissioned by the Edmonton Symphony Orchestra include:
*Louis Applebaum "Concertante" / "Prelude" / "Incantation" / "Sinfonia" / "Evocations for Two Pianos and Orchestra"
*Alan Gordon Bell "Symphonies of Hidden Fire"
*Patrick Cardy "Trobadores"
*George Fiala "Overtura Buffa"
*Malcolm Forsyth "Symphony No. 2 '... A Host of Nomads..."' / "Requiem for the Victims in a Wartorn World" / "Siyajabula! We Rejoice!"
*Allan Gilliland "Dreaming of the Masters II" (joint commission with CBC)
*Stewart Grant "Symphony (“Et in Terra…”)"
*Jacques Hétu "Concerto for Organ"
*Gary Kulesha "Dreams"
*Yuri Laniuk "Palimpsesty"
*Raymond Luedeke "Tales of the Netsilik" (joint commission with five other Canadian orchestras)
*Rod McKuen "The Ballad of Distances - Symphonic Suite, Opus 40"
*François Morel "Neumes d'espace et reliefs"
*Jeffrey McCune "Aquamarine" / "Dance Suite" / "Overture Sauvage"
*John McPherson "Walk in Beauty"
*Cha Ka Nin "Memento Mori"
*Laurie Radford "a tangle in the throat"
*Manus Sasonkin "Musica post prandia"
*Robert Turner "Shades of Autumn"

Discography

"Procol Harum Live with the Edmonton Symphony Orchestra" (Procol Harum, Da Camera Singers, Lawrence Leonard conductor, 1972)
*"Conquistador" / "Whaling Stories" / A Salty Dog / "All This and More" / "In Held 'Twas In I" / "Luskus Delph"

"Music by Haydn, Debussy, Wirén" (Boris Brott and John Avison conductors, 1973)

"McKuen The Ballad Of Distances: Symphonic Suite, Opus 40" (Tommy Banks conductor, 1973)

"Scarlet and Gold / L'Escarlet et L'Or - Alberta R.C.M.P. Century Celebrations, 1874-1974" (Tommy Banks conductor, 1974)
*"Dere Overture" / "Rebellion" / "Tribute to the R.C.M.P." "Music by Wolf, Purcell, Adaskin, Warlock" (Pierre Hétu conductor, 1975)
*Wolf "Italian Serenade" / Purcell "The Married Beau Suite" (Arr. Holst) / Murray Adaskin "Diversion for orchestra (an entertainment)" / Warlock "Six Italian Dances"

"Music by Ibert, Françaix, Rameau" (Pierre Hétu conductor, 1976)

"Orchestral Suites of the British Isles" (Uri Mayer conductor, 1983)
*Vaughan Williams "English Folk Song Suite" / Warlock "Capriol Suite" / Harty "A John Field Suite"

"Great Tenor Arias" (Ermanno Mauro tenor, Uri Mayer conductor, 1984)
*Bizet "“La fleur que tu m’avais jetée” (Carmen)" / Massenet "“O Souverain, ô juge, ô père!” (Le Cid)" / Puccini "“Che gelida manina” (La bohème)" / Leoncavallo "“Recitar!...Vesti la giubba” (Pagliacci)" / Verdi "Niun mi tema" (Otello)" / Gounod "“Ah! lêve-toi, soleil” (Roméo et Juliette)" / Massenet "“Pourquoi me réveiller?” (Werther)" / Puccini "“E lucevan le stele” (Tosca)" / Puccini “Nessun Dorma” (Turandot) / Giordano "Improvviso" (Andrea Chenier) / Verdi “Ma se m'è forza perderti” (Un ballo in maschera) / Verdi “Ah si, ben mio...Di quella pira” (Il trovatore)

"Great Verdi Arias" (Louis Quilico baritone, Uri Mayer conductor, 1984)
*Falstaff: "“E sogno o realtà?”" / La forza del destino: "“Morir! tremenda cosa – Urna fatale de mio destino”" / Rigoletto: "“Cortigiani, vil razza dannata”" / Otello: "“Vanne! la tua meta già vedo – Credo in un Dio crude!”" / Macbeth: "“Perfidi! – Pietà, rispetto, amore”" / Il trovatore: "“Tutto è deserto – Il Balen del suo soriso”" / La traviata: "“Di Provenza”" / Un ballo in maschera: "“Alzati! là tuo figlio – Eri tu che macchiavi quell’anima”"

"Music by Forsyth and Freedman" (Uri Mayer conductor, 1985)
*Freedman "Oiseaux exotiques" / Forsyth "Atayoskewin" (JUNO Award: Best Classical Composition)

"Canadian and Russian Overtures" (Uri Mayer conductor, 1986)
*Forsyth "Jubilee Overture" / Godfrey Ridout "Fall Fair" / Morawetz "Overture to a Fairy Tale" / Shostakovich "Festive Overture, Opus 96" / Borodin "Prince Igor: Overture" / Kabalevsky "Colas Breugnon: Overture" / Glinka "Russlan and Ludmilla: Overture"

"Harp Concertos" (Gianetta Baril harp, Uri Mayer conductor, 1987)
*Ginastera "Harp Concerto, Opus 25" / Morawetz "Concerto for Harp and Chamber Orchestra" (JUNO Award: Best Classical Composition)

"Great Orchestral Marches" (Uri Mayer conductor, 1988)
*Fučík "Entrance of the Gladiators" / Alford "Colonel Bogey" / Sousa "Stars and Stripes Forever" / Elgar "Pomp & Circumstance No. 4" / Farnon "State Occasion" / Papineau-Couture "Marche de Guillaument" / Beethoven "Turkish March" (from "The Ruins of Athens") / Schubert "Marche Militaire" / Strauss "Radetzky March" / Willan "Centennial March" / Delibes "Cortège de Bacchus" / Tchaikovsky "Jurisprudence March" / Baker "March (Evocations, Movement II)" / Adaskin "March No. 2" / Halvorsen "Triumphal Entry of the Boyars" / Grieg "March of the Dwarfs (from Lyric Suite, Opus 54)" / Herbert "March of the Toys (from Babes in Toyland)" / Rodgers "March of the Siamese Children (from The King & I)" / Williams "The Imperial March (from The Empire Strikes Back)"

"Works for Cello and Orchestra" (Shauna Rolston cello, Uri Mayer conductor, 1989)
*Morawetz "Memorial to Martin Luther King" / Bruch "Kol Nidrei, Opus 47" / Fauré "Élégie for Cello and Orchestra, Opus 24" / Dvořák "Silent Woods, Opus 68 No. 5" / Bliss "Concerto for Cello and Orchestra"

"The Symphony Sessions" (Tom Cochrane, Red Rider, George Blondheim conductor, 1989)
*"Light in the Tunnel" / "Human Race" / "Can’t Turn Back" / "Napoleon Sheds His Skin" / "White Hot" / "Big League" / "Calling America" / "Avenue “A”" / "Bird on a Wire" / "Boy Inside the Man" / "Lunatic Fringe" / "Good Times" / "The Next Life"

"Music by Britten and Willan" (Uri Mayer conductor, 1993)
*Britten "Canadian Carnival, Opus 19" / Britten "Peter Grimes: Four Sea Interludes, Opus 33a" / Willan "Symphony No. 2 in C minor"

"Russian Sketches" (Uri Mayer conductor, 1997)
*Ippolitov-Ivanov "Caucasian Sketches, Opus 10" / Tchaikovsky "Eugene Onegin, Opus 24: Polonaise" / Tchaikovsky "The Sleeping Beauty, Opus 66: Waltz" / Shostakovich "The Age of Gold: Suite, Opus 22a: Polka" / Borodin "In the Steppes of Central Asia" / Rimsky-Korsakov "The Golden Cockerel: Suite"

"Electra Rising: Music of Malcolm Forsyth" (William Street saxophone, Amanda Forsyth cello, Grzegorz Nowak conductor, 1998)
*"Valley of a Thousand Hills" / "Tre Vie" / "Electra Rising" (JUNO Award: Best Classical Composition)

"Music by Smetana and Janáček" (Grzegorz Nowak conductor, 1999)
*Smetana "Má vlast" (original 1875 version) / Janáček "Moravian Dances"

"PJ Perry and the Edmonton Symphony Orchestra" (P.J. Perry, saxophone, David Hoyt conductor, 1999)
*"Django" / "Charlie Parker Medley" / "Bossa Nova Medley" / "They Kept Bach's Head Alive" / "Ballad Medley" / "Hand In Hand" / "Harlem Nocturne" / "The Old Castle" / "Strike Up The Band"

"Semi-Conducted" (CD) / "Three Worms and an Orchestra" (DVD) (The Arrogant Worms, David Hoyt conductor, 2003)
*"Overture" / "Big Fat Road Manager" / "Canada's Really Big" / "Rocks and Trees" / "Log In to You" / "I am Cow" / "Last Saskatchewan Pirate" / "Gaelic Song" / "Me Like Hockey" / "Carrot Juice is Murder" / "Dangerous" / "Billy the Theme Park Shark" / "Celine Dion" / "We are the Beaver"

"Frenergy: The Music of John Estacio" (Mario Bernardi conductor, 2004)
*"Frenergy" / "A Farmer’s Symphony" / "Bootlegger’s Tarantella" / "Such Sweet Sorrow" / "Solaris" / "Borealis" / "Wondrous Light"

References

*cite book | first= Tom| last= Henighan| year= 2000| title= The Maclean's Companion to Canadian Arts and Culture
publisher= Raincoast Books| id=ISBN 1-55192-298-3

* [http://eccsociety.com/pdf/ANMAR_Vol_III-IV_No_4-5.pdf "Resonances, Reminiscences & Repercussions: The Edmonton Symphony Orchestra at Fifty" by Jerry Ozipko in the "The Alberta New Music and Arts Review", Vol. III/IV, No. 4/5, Fall 1999/Fall 2002.]

External links

* [http://www.edmontonsymphony.com Edmonton Symphony Orchestra website]

* [http://www.thecanadianencyclopedia.com/index.cfm?PgNm=TCE&Params=U1ARTU0001100 Edmonton Symphony Orchestra in the "Encyclopedia of Music in Canada"]

* [http://www.polyphonic.org/spotlight.php?id=4 "Orchestra Spotlight: The Edmonton Symphony Orchestra" at Polyphonic.org]

ee also

*List of symphony orchestras