Richard O. Burdick’s Music and Video from Summer Vacations
2025-11-02 14:00 - 17:00 (America/Regina) | RPL Film Theatre Regina Public Library Central Branch, 2311 12th Ave, Regina, Saskatchewan, S4P 0N3, Canada
A Multisensory Journey of Music and Visuals
Regina, SK – Join acclaimed composer and hornist Richard O. Burdick for a unique concert experience, Music and Video from Summer Vacations, on Sunday, November 2, 2025, at 2:00 p.m. at RPL Film Theatre Regina Public Library Central Branch (2311 12th Ave, Regina, SK S4P 0N3).
This captivating performance features an ensemble of French horn, English horn, cello, and videotape, blending evocative music with stunning visuals. The program includes:

Palisade Falls- video & chamber orchestra, Opus 248*Across to Pompeys
Across to Pompeys Pillar, Op. 261: A solo horn journey with immersive visuals.
Snap Shots, Op. 326 and Snap Shorts, Op. 345: Vivid musical vignettes.
Plus, highlights like the triumphant Bear Valley Fanfare and a soulful Ockeghem arrangement

Burdick’s innovative compositions and masterful performance create a multisensory adventure, capturing the essence of summer’s beauty and exploration.
Tickets: Choose-your-price tickets are available at https://i-ching-music.com/. A suggested offering of $15 is appreciated at the door, but no one will be turned away for lack of funds.
For more information, visit https://i-ching-music.com/.
About the performers
Richard O. Burdick is a renowned composer and hornist known for his innovative blending of music and visuals, creating immersive experiences that resonate with audiences worldwide.
Wing Lok Soo, English horn, and Amy Borton, cello, bring their exceptional artistry to this unforgettable performance

True North, An All-Canadian Program with the Saskatoon Symphony Orchestra
2025-11-08 19:30 - 21:30 (America/Regina) | TCU Place, Sid Buckwold Theatre, 35 – 22nd Street East, Saskatoon, SK, S7K 0C8, Canada
7:30PM, Saturday, November 8, 2025
TCU Place, Sid Buckwold Theatre

35 – 22nd Street East
Saskatoon, SK S7K 0C8
Google Maps Directions

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Karl Hirzerconductor
Bede Hanleyoboe

Lineage – Zosha di Castri*
Oboe Concerto – Gary Kulesha*
The Grief Eater Firaga – Sonny Ray Day Rider*
Endymion – Jean Coulthard*
Elysium – Samy Moussa*

Karl Hirzer returns to the podium for a night worthy of glowing hearts. This celebration of the exceptional music that Canada has to offer is going to have you beaming with pride.
Renowned oboist Bede Hanley returns home to Saskatoon for his SSO debut in a new concerto by Gary Kulesha. Vibrant and exciting, this new work written just for Hanley is an exhilarating showcase for this hometown artist to make his return!
We’ve been itching to bring you the music of Sonny Ray Day Rider for a few seasons now – his work Grief Eater Firaga is a must-hear musical experience.
*Denotes Canadian composer.

Peter Ferry with Land’s End Ensemble, A Night of Percussion
2025-11-08 19:30 - 21:30 (America/Edmonton) | Eckhardt-Gramatté Hall, 2500 University Drive NW, Calgary, AB, T2N 1N4, Canada
Peter Ferry with Land’s End Ensemble, A Night of Percussion

November 8, 2025 7:30 pm

Location: Rosza Centre, University of CalgaryTickets: $35 General, $10 Students
Pre-Concert Chat: 6:45pm
Pre-Concert Performance: 7:10pm
Concert: 7:30pm
Featured Guest Artist & co-curator: Peter Ferry (percussion)
Buy tickets
Land’s End and Mr. Peter Ferry joyfully invite audiences to discover an expansive and unexpected view of percussion in contemporary music. As a member and Assistant Director of NYC’s Alarm Will Sound, Mr. Peter Ferry has established himself as a force in today’s contemporary music scene and is both guest artist and co-curator of this concert. You’ll hear a dynamic program of works by many of the most exciting living composers from around the world: Salina Fisher (NZD), John Psathas (NZD), Osvaldo Golijov (ARG), Gabriella Smith (US), Nicholas Bonaccio (US), Emmanuel Sejourne (FR), Elliot Cole (US), Vincent Ho (CAN), and and Marc Mellits (US).
Program
John Psathas – Angelus (trio)
Nicholas Bonaccio – Variations on a Balkan Rhythm (perc.)
Emmanuel Sejourne – Vibraphone Concerto, Mvt. I (vibraphon & piano)
Salina Fisher – Komorebi (violin & vibraphone)
Osvaldo Golijov – Mariel (cello, perc, and video)
Marc Mellits – Black (marimba)
[INTERMISSION]
Vincent Ho – Gryphonsong (trio)
Elliot Cole – The Future is Bright (perc)
Gabriella Smith – Anthozoa (trio & perc)
Plus…a post-concert album release reception!

After the concert, we will be celebrating the album release of Vincent Ho’s The Twelve Chinese Zodiac Animals, Books 1 & 2 recorded by pianist Tony Yike Yang (Grand Piano Records).

Robert Ingari, Luminous Voices
2025-11-09 15:00 - 17:00 (America/Edmonton) | Bella Concert Hall, 18 Mt Royal Cir SW, Calgary, Alberta, T3E 7N5, Canada
Sunday, November 9, 2025 at 3:00pm
Bella Concert Hall, Mount Royal University
with
Luminous Strings
Laura Brandt, soprano
Adam Brousseau, baritone

Figure Humaine by Francis Poulenc headlines this program built on themes of war, peace and freedom. Famously one of the most virtuosic and demanding works for unaccompanied choir, Figure Humaine was composed during the German occupation of France in WWII. With text by poet Paul Éluard, the final movement served as a rallying cry for the French resistance, as the poem was air-dropped by the Royal Air Force in 1943. Only six years earlier, Ralph Vaughan Williams composed his Dona nobis pacem as a plea for peace in a world growing increasingly fearful of another war. The orchestration features strings, piano and percussion, along with the choir and local stars, Laura Brandt and Adam Brousseau. The program will also feature a new work by Quebec-based composer-conductor Robert Ingari.

ArcherFest 2025
2025-11-22 12:30 - 16:00 (America/Edmonton) | National Music Centre, 850 4 St SE, Calgary, Alberta, T2G 1R1, Canada
Canadian Music Centre Prairie Region Presents:
ArcherFest, November 22 & 23
Celebrating the Life and Legacy of Violet Archer
The Canadian Music Centre Prairie Region is proud to present: ArcherFest, a celebration dedicated to the life and legacy of Violet Archer! To celebrate CMC Prairie’s 45th anniversary and the 25th anniversary of Violet Archer’s death, this two-day festival brings together artists from across Canada to honour Archer and her contribution to the Canadian classical landscape.

Day 1 – November 22 – FREE
Registration
11:45 – Kimball Theatre Organ Demonstration – Level 3, Sound Affects (Admission required to access this floor)
12:30 – Violet’s Path: a free storytelling event for the whole family – Level 1, Drop-in Zone (free)
1:30 – Composer Reading Session with the Kensington Sinfonia – Level 1, Drop-in Zone (free)

Kimball Theatre Organ Demonstration — 11:45 am (ADMISSION REQUIRED)
Catch the live demonstration of Kimball Theatre Organ! Used to soundtrack movies during the silent film era of the 1920s, the Kimball Theatre Organ is one of the most popular items in the National Music Centre collection.
*Proof of registration is required to attend the demonstration.
Violet’s Path: a free storytelling event for the whole family — 12:30 PM (FREE)
“I knew in my soul that I needed to play music every day for the rest of my life. Music brought me so much joy that I didn’t want to think about how hard life could be at the time for a woman trying to make a name for herself in the musical industry.” – Léa Plourde-Archer, Violet’s Path: the melodious life of Violet Balestreri Archer
Violet Archer (1913-2000) earned high honours as a classical music composer beginning in the 1930s. This was a rare career choice, especially for women at the time, so Violet faced many obstacles. Through passion and perseverance, she earned much respect from her peers and built up a catalogue comprising over 300 compositions.
This year marks the 25th anniversary of Violet’s death, and her work and life story are as relevant as ever. Inspired by her great-aunt’s legacy, drive, and enthusiasm, writer Léa Plourde-Archer presents a picture book manuscript that will bring Violet’s story to new eyes and ears. Meant to be enjoyed by children and adults alike, this story is one of a great Canadian artist who didn’t set out to be a trailblazer, but became a role model to many simply by following her instincts.
The author will read the full manuscript, which will be accompanied by drawings and photographs illustrating Violet Archer’s life. The reading will also be punctuated with short musical interludes played by live musicians.
About Léa Plourde-Archer:
Léa Plourde-Archer is an experienced content writer and emerging literary voice. Recently, her creative focus has turned toward the life and legacy of her great aunt, celebrated Canadian composer Violet Archer. Fueled by a deep curiosity and a vibrant imagination, Léa is currently developing two manuscripts about Violet’s life: one crafted for young readers and the other intended for adults. She hopes to bring this remarkable musical figure to new audiences through storytelling and research.
Composer Reading Session with the Kensington Sinfonia — 1:30 PM (FREE)
The Canadian Music Centre Prairie Region presents Composer’s Reading Session, featuring the Kensington Sinfonia. This interactive session brings selected works by local contemporary composers to life, giving each piece a live reading and immediate response from the musicians. Composers can hear their music performed, experiment with ideas, and work directly with the ensemble to explore nuances of orchestration and interpretation. As a rare live workshop experience, this session provides invaluable feedback from professional musicians.
About Kensington Sinfonia:
The Kensington Sinfonia has been sharing intimate, inspiring chamber music with Calgary since 1988. From timeless Baroque favorites to bold new works, the ensemble creates programs that celebrate both tradition and innovation. With a strong focus on local composers and collaborations, the Sinfonia brings fresh energy to every performance. Now in its fourth decade, Kensington Sinfonia continues to make classical music welcoming, creative, and community-driven — inviting audiences of all ages to connect with the joy of live performance in new and meaningful ways.

This festival is presented in partnership with the National Music Centre and the Alberta Registered Music Teachers Association (ARMTA)
Special discounted tickets for our CMC community members will be released soon!

ArcherFest 2025
2025-11-23 13:30 - 16:00 (America/Edmonton) | National Music Centre, 850 4 St SE, Calgary, Alberta, T2G 1R1, Canada
Canadian Music Centre Prairie Region Presents:
ArcherFest, November 22 & 23
Celebrating the Life and Legacy of Violet Archer
The Canadian Music Centre Prairie Region is proud to present: ArcherFest, a celebration dedicated to the life and legacy of Violet Archer! To celebrate CMC Prairie’s 45th anniversary and the 25th anniversary of Violet Archer’s death, this two-day festival brings together artists from across Canada to honour Archer and her contribution to the Canadian classical landscape.

Day 2 – November 23 – Ticketed
TICKETS HERE
1:30 – Pre-concert Chat – Level 2, Performance Hall (Tickets required)
2:00 – In Violet Light: Celebration Concert of Violet Archer – Level 2, Performance Hall (Tickets required)

Pre-Concert Chat with Janna Sailor and Anton Lindenblatt — 1:30 pm
As part of an ongoing initiative to promote the works of Violet Archer, Canadian Music Centre (CMC) Prairie Region Director Janna Sailor sits down with CMC Prairie Library Assistant Anton Lindenblatt to discuss the Violet Archer Digital Engraving Project.
In Violet Light: Celebration Concert of Violet Archer — 2:00 PM
Camryn Dewar, soprano / Sandra Joy Friesen, piano
This concert celebrates the luminous legacy of Violet Archer (1913-2000), whose music reflects a vibrant blend of intellect, lyricism, and national identity. Archer’s musical palette is deeply evocative, and this program brings to life her extraordinary concepts of tonality, phrasing, counterpoint, structure, and texture that shaped and solidified her mastery.
In Violet Light invites listeners to trace the pathways of Archer’s creative journey and her lifelong advocacy for new music. Featuring renowned Canadian artists Camryn Dewar (soprano) and Sandra Joy Friesen (piano), experience how her works continue to resonate through solo piano pieces elegantly complemented with songs for mezzo soprano.

Program:
ARCHER
Theme and Variations on “là-haut sur ces montagnes” (1952)
ARCHER
Green Rain (1971)
ARCHER
Fantasy for pianoforte (1947)
ARCHER
Moon Songs (1976)
ARCHER
Fantasy for pianoforte (1947)
Intermission
ARCHER
Six Preludes (1947)
Allegretto – Scherzando
Andantino tranquillo
Lento – come elegia
Broad – in declamatory style
Slowly – in sad meditation
Allegro appassionato
COULTHARD
Six Irish Poems for Maureen (1961, rev. 1964)
The White Rose
Innocence
COULTHARD
Ecstasy (1969)
ARCHER
Sonata for Piano (1972)
Jubilante e ritmico
Larghetto commodo
Allegretto grazioso
Program and order subject to change.
About Camryn Dewar
Fulbright scholar and multi-instrumentalist Camryn Dewar is a champion of vocal versatility and accomplished Métis musician, known for her dynamic range across musical genres including contemporary classical, opera, musical theatre, and jazz. Hailed as an “incredible performer and instrument” (Jeffrey Gall), Camryn is passionate about presenting works of living and Indigenous composers, and is committed to using her artistry as a catalyst to uplift and amplify Indigenous voices. After successfully completing a highly-acclaimed tour of her lecture recital on Indigenous female representation in Canadian opera in New Jersey, she is now touring this innovative and unique lecture recital series across Canada.
Recent operatic engagements include: Blind Injustice at Jazz at Lincoln Centre, The Grapes of Wrath at Carnegie Hall with Tony Award winning music director Ted Sperling, Indians on Vacation at the Banff Centre for Arts and Creativity, Hansel and Gretel at Montclair State University, Li Keur: Riel’s Heart of the North at Manitoba Opera, and Living Music at the Canadian Museum for Human Rights.
Camryn has received numerous awards and fellowships, earning her Bachelor of Music (Vocal Performance) from the University of Manitoba, and her Master of Music (Performance) at Montclair State University with Metropolitan Opera mezzo-soprano Barbara Dever.
About Dr. Sandra Joy Friesen
In the early stage of her performing career, Sandra Joy Friesen became intrigued by music that took her beyond the familiar conventions of structure and style, music that required alternative approaches to interpretation and practice, and heightened sensitivity towards musical expressions. As she welcome opportunities that fulfill the creative process, Sandra Joy played a broad range of repertoire from traditional to contemporary, to interpretation of pictorial scores and interdisciplinary collaboration.
In 2009, Sandra Joy’s studies in improvisation and free-interpretation with pianist Douglas Finch (London, England) became a turning point in her musical artistry and this practice continues to feed her inspiration and motivation as a musical artist. Sandra Joy havs promoted the music of Canadian composers since the early 90s and was invited by the Association for Canadian Studies in Mexico and in Brazil to represent the University of Alberta and Canadian composers in solo piano recitals.
Generous awards from the Alberta Foundation for the Arts and Edmonton Arts Council allowed Sandra Joy to complete the recording Sound Reflections, Volume 1: Off the Shelf; a project of audio plus video recordings that provide interpretive context and address various challenges in contemporary music. Among her musical passions, the elegantly refined and picturesque style of the French masters features regularly in her solo piano programs. Sandra Joy has always felt a special sensitivity for art song and choir collaborations, performing this vast repertoire throughout her career and, currently, she enjoys being the pianist for the Cantaré Children’s Choir.

This festival is presented in partnership with the National Music Centre and the Alberta Registered Music Teachers Association (ARMTA)
Special discounted tickets for our CMC community members will be released soon!

Whimsical Dreams in partnership with MRU Conservatory
2026-01-10 19:30 - 21:30 (America/Edmonton) | Bella Concert Hall, 18 Mt Royal Cir SW, Calgary, Alberta, T3E 7N5, Canada
Whimsical Dreams in partnership with MRU Conservatory

January 10, 2026 7:30 pm

Location: Bella Concert Hall, Mount Royal University
Pre-concert chat: 6:45pm
Concert: 7:30pm
Featuring students of MRU Conservatory’s program
We bring you works that push the boundaries of today’s performance practices and sonic experiences as we embark on the third year of our residency with MRU. This concert will feature students of the MRU Conservatory music program and include: Omar Daniel’s Giuco delle coppie, Gity Raza’s Strange Highway, Lera Auerbach’s Piano Trio No. 2, Michael van der Sloot’s Lux Aeterna, and Vincent Ho’s Celestial Garden. Then, experience the stereophonic effects of the Bella Concert Hall through spatialized (separated) ensembles: one performs Frank Ticheli’s In C Dorian on stage while another performs Vincent Ho’s Terry’s Whimsical Dream of Fanciful Birds…in C from the balconies, AT THE SAME TIME!
Program
Omar Daniel – Giuco delle coppie (violin duo)
Michael van der Sloot – Lux Aeterna (cello ensemble)
Gity Raza – Strange Highway (cello ensemble)
Lera Auerbach – Piano Trio No. 2: Triptych (trio)
Vincent Ho – Celestial Garden (6-hand piano)
Frank Ticheli/Vincent Ho – In C Dorian + Terry’s Whimsical Dream of Fanciful Birds…in C (mixed ensemble)

Jocelyn Morlock, Edmonton Symphony Orchestra
2026-01-23 19:30 - 21:30 (America/Edmonton) | Winspear Centre, 4 Sir Winston Churchill Square NW, Edmonton, AB, T5J 4X8, Canada
About The Concert

The Vancouver Symphony’s Music Director Otto Tausk makes his Edmonton debut conducting a Mozart masterpiece, his Sinfonia concertante. Featuring ESO Concertmaster Robert Uchida and Principal Viola Keith Hamm, the music in this piece has been described by historian Alfred Einstein as “dropped from heaven.”
Written when Mendelssohn was just 15 years old, his First Symphony is filled with energy and youthful passion, reflecting his ideal that “the essence of beauty is unity in variety.”
Manitoba-born Jocelyn Morlock called her mesmerizing Strange Loop “whimsical and fun/frenetic” music where “despite movement, one always ends up where one started.”
This concert will include an intermission.

Program to Include

MENDELSSOHN
Symphony No. 1

MOZART
Sinfonia concertante for Violin and Viola

JOCELYN MORLOCK
Strange Loop
ESO Premiere

Program subject to change.

Featured Artists

Otto Tausk, Conductor
ESO Debut
Robert Uchida, ESO Violin
Keith Hamm, ESO Viola

About ESO Classics

ESO Classics are dynamic and engaging concerts that feature the most memorable orchestral pieces. This masterworks series is our flagship and showcases the greatest symphonic masterpieces in classical music. From Bach and Handel in the Baroque period and Mozart and Beethoven in the 18th century Classical period, all the way to 21st century contemporary composers, this series encompasses the best of classical music. Our world-class musicians are joined by some of the most talented soloists from around the world, delivering unparalleled performances of these illustrious works. Let the timeless beauty of live classical music enrich and transport you!

Cosmoi: Stafylakis & Theofanidis, Winnipeg Symphony Orchestra
2026-01-29 19:00 - 21:00 (America/Edmonton) | Centennial Concert Hall, 555 Main Street, Winnipeg, Manitoba, R3B 1C3, Canada
Daniel Raiskin, conductor
Haralabos [Harry] Stafylakis: Symphony No. 3 – World Premiere
Christopher Theofanidis: TBA
This concert celebrates the final year of Haralabos [Harry] Stafylakis’ tenure as the WSO’s Composer-in-Residence with the world premiere of a brand-new work.
Also on the program is a work by Christopher Theofanidis, a respected figure in new music and someone Harry has studied with and admires.

Donovan Seidle, Jessica McMann, and Ashley Seward, Rocky Mountain Symphony Orchestra
2026-01-31 19:30 - 21:30 (America/Edmonton) | The Polaris Centre for the Performing Arts, 7-261051 Wagon Wheel View, Rocky View County, Alberta, T4A 0E2, Canada
The Program
Celebrate the land, people, and voices of Alberta through music that is familiar, fresh, and deeply rooted.
This program features works by three Alberta composers, Ashley Seward, Donovan Seidle and Jessica McMann, alongside Beethoven’s pastoral masterpiece, Symphony No. 6.
Featured Artists
JANNA SAILOR Conductor

Donovan Seidle, Jessica McMann, and Ashley Seward, Rocky Mountain Symphony Orchestra
2026-02-01 15:00 - 17:00 (America/Edmonton) | RockPointe Church Bearspaw, 255024 Lochend Rd, Calgary, Alberta, T4C 2H2, Canada

Kati Agócs, Manitoba Chamber Orchestra
2026-02-18 19:30 - 21:30 (America/Edmonton) | Crescent Arts Centre, 525 Wardlaw Ave, Winnipeg, Manitoba, R3L 0L9, Canada
4 / DANCES OF DREAMS
7.30pm, Wednesday, February 18
Crescent Arts Centre, 525 Wardlaw Ave.
Jeneba Kanneh-Mason, piano
Jeri Lynne Johnson, conductor
A vibrant celebration of fantasy and rhythm featuring prodigy British pianist Jeneba Kanneh-Mason and conductor Jeri Lynne Johnson — both returning to the MCO stage since last appearing in spring 2024 — this program is a tapestry of dance and reverie; a place where memory, motion, and music intertwine.
Pianist Jeneba Kanneh-Mason is already captivating audiences with her “maturity in performance and interpretation […], the former an uncanny phenomenon” (Fraser). The third of the Kanneh-Mason clan to establish herself as a soloist, Jeneba recently made her BBC Proms debut with the Chineke! Orchestra, performing the Florence Price Concerto and was heralded by the press as “demonstrating musical insight, technical acuity, and an engaging performing persona” (Music OMH).
–
Frédéric Chopin
Piano Concerto No. 2 (arr. for strings)
Kati Agócs
New commissioned work
William Grant Still
Danzas de Panama
Program subject to change

Ian Cusson, Calgary Philharmonic Orchestra
2026-02-27 19:30 - 21:30, 2026-02-28 19:30 - 21:30 (America/Edmonton) | Jack Singer Concert Hall, 205 8 Ave SE, Calgary, AB, T2G 0K9, Canada
Program
Catch the brilliance of Shostakovich’s Ninth Symphony as conductor Jessica Cottis leads the Orchestra in revealing the complexities behind the work’s seemingly lighthearted façade. The Orchestra’s own concertmaster Diana Cohen takes the spotlight in Max Bruch’s riveting and romantic First Violin Concerto — voted the #1 violin concerto of all time by Classic FM.
Ian Cusson 1Q84: Sinfonietta Metamoderna
Max Bruch Violin Concerto No. 1
Dmitri Shostakovich Symphony No. 9

Artists
JESSICA COTTIS conductor
DIANA COHEN violin
CALGARY PHILHARMONIC ORCHESTRA

Malcolm Forsyth, Edmonton Symphony Orchestra
2026-02-27 19:30 - 21:30, 2026-02-28 19:30 - 21:30 (America/Edmonton) | Winspear Centre, 4 Sir Winston Churchill Square NW, Edmonton, AB, T5J 4X8, Canada
About The Concert

Celebrated British pianist Benjamin Grosvenor returns after a 12-year absence to perform Benjamin Britten’s energetic Piano Concerto, written when the composer was 24 and known for its rhythmic drive and inventive orchestration.
At its premiere, a critic wrote cryptically of Brahms’ final symphony, “It is like a dark well; the longer we look into it, the more brightly the stars shine back.”
Malcolm Forsyth wrote his celebratory Jubilee Overture in 1964 when he was 28, four years before he moved to Edmonton and became a member of the ESO. Don’t miss this intriguing concert juxtaposing music of youthful exuberance and wise experience.
This concert will include an intermission.

Program to Include

BRAHMS
Symphony No. 4

BRITTEN
Piano Concerto
ESO Premiere

MALCOLM FORSYTH
Jubilee Overture

Program subject to change.

Featured Artists

Alain Trudel, Conductor
Benjamin Grosvenor, Piano

About ESO Classics

ESO Classics are dynamic and engaging concerts that feature the most memorable orchestral pieces. This masterworks series is our flagship and showcases the greatest symphonic masterpieces in classical music. From Bach and Handel in the Baroque period and Mozart and Beethoven in the 18th century Classical period, all the way to 21st century contemporary composers, this series encompasses the best of classical music. Our world-class musicians are joined by some of the most talented soloists from around the world, delivering unparalleled performances of these illustrious works. Let the timeless beauty of live classical music enrich and transport you!

Vincent Ho, Winnipeg Symphony Orchestra
2026-03-07 19:30 - 21:30 (America/Winnipeg) | Centennial Concert Hall, 555 Main Street, Winnipeg, Manitoba, R3B 1C3, Canada
Rune Bergmann, conductor
Jean Sibelius: Finlandia
Vincent Ho: Earthbeat (Saturday only)
Edvard Grieg: Norwegian Dances
Carl Nielsen: Symphony No. 4 “The Inextinguishable”
Photo: Kristin Hoebermann.
Sometimes, the guest artist dictates the program… and that is precisely the case in this concert of Scandinavian greats led by Norwegian conductor Rune Bergmann.
Jean Sibelius’ Finlandia is a symphonic mega-hit emblematic of the nationalism so often found in his music.
The Norwegian Dances by Edvard Grieg are athletic, boisterous, and charming folk-inspired numbers that will surely get everyone feeling the groove.
Like his contemporary Gustav Mahler, Carl Nielsen of Denmark was both a great symphonic conductor and a great symphonic composer. Written during the First World War and dubbed “The Inextinguishable,” Nielsen’s Symphony No. 4 is a powerful and grand work, expressive of the indomitable human spirit.
(Saturday only) To round out the program, a musical trip to Canada with the music of Vincent Ho, with whom Rune Bergmann worked closely at the Calgary Philharmonic Orchestra. A name that may also be familiar to Winnipeggers, Ho previously served as WSO’s Composer-in-Residence.

Keyan Emami, Manitoba Chamber Orchestra
2026-03-11 19:30 - 21:30 (America/Winnipeg) | Crescent Arts Centre, 525 Wardlaw Ave, Winnipeg, Manitoba, R3L 0L9, Canada
5 / TEAL RAINBOWS
7.30pm, Wednesday, March 11
Crescent Arts Centre, 525 Wardlaw Ave.
Mahan Esfahani, harpsichord
Anne Manson, conductor
With glittering wit and playfulness, this program celebrates the harpsichord as it creates vivid soundscapes and shimmering colours — a spectrum of forms, textures, and shades.
Since making his London debut in 2009, Mahan Esfahani has established himself as the first harpsichordist in a generation whose work spans virtually all the areas of classical music-making—from critically-acclaimed performances and recordings of the standard repertoire, to working with leading composers, to pioneering concerto appearances with major symphony orchestras on four continents, and more.
–
Julian Grant
Vaudeville in Teal
J.S. Bach
Harpsichord Concerto BWV 1054 in D Major
Keyan Emami
Kian in Rainbows
Igor Stravinsky
Pulcinella Suite
Program subject to change

Vivian Fung, Edmonton Symphony Orchestra
2026-03-21 19:30 - 21:30, 2026-03-22 14:00 - 16:00 (America/Edmonton) | Winspear Centre, 4 Sir Winston Churchill Square NW, Edmonton, AB, T5J 4X8, Canada
About The Concert

Beethoven’s beloved “Pastorale” Symphony is filled with imaginative musical depictions of birdsong, a flowing stream, a thunderstorm, and other sounds of country life.
Edmonton-born Vivian Fung’s Parade, inspired by watching her 6-year old son in a parade following pandemic lockdowns, is a “celebration of community that also explores the journey from solitude to togetherness.”
Camille Saint-Saëns often said, “form is the essence of art,” a principle that is eloquently realized in his compact Cello Concerto No. 1, featuring Montreal-born Jean-Guihen Queyras in his long overdue ESO debut.
This concert will include an intermission.

Program to Include

BEETHOVEN
Symphony No. 6 “Pastoral”

FAURÉ
Élégie for Cello

SAINT-SAËNS
Cello Concerto No. 1

VIVIAN FUNG
Parade
ESO Premiere

Program subject to change.

Featured Artists

Jean-Marie Zeitouni, Conductor & Music Director
Jean-Guihen Queyras, Cello
ESO Debut

About ESO Classics

ESO Classics are dynamic and engaging concerts that feature the most memorable orchestral pieces. This masterworks series is our flagship and showcases the greatest symphonic masterpieces in classical music. From Bach and Handel in the Baroque period and Mozart and Beethoven in the 18th century Classical period, all the way to 21st century contemporary composers, this series encompasses the best of classical music. Our world-class musicians are joined by some of the most talented soloists from around the world, delivering unparalleled performances of these illustrious works. Let the timeless beauty of live classical music enrich and transport you!

Donovan Seidle and James Watson, Rocky Mountain Symphony Orchestra
2026-03-28 19:30 - 21:30 (America/Edmonton) | RockPointe Church Bearspaw, 255024 Lochend Rd, Calgary, Alberta, T4C 2H2, Canada
The Program
A cheeky mashup of classical elegance and contemporary hits—where Regency flair meets pop, rock, and orchestra in a one-of-a-kind experience.
Enjoy original pieces and arrangements by Donovan Seidle, James Watson, and Revv52 Remix.
Featured Artists
JANNA SAILOR Conductor

Celebrating World Premieres in partnership with The University of Calgary
2026-03-28 19:30 - 21:30 (America/Edmonton) | Eckhardt-Gramatté Hall, 2500 University Drive NW, Calgary, AB, T2N 1N4, Canada
Celebrating World Premieres in partnership with The University of Calgary

March 28, 2026 7:30 pm

Location: Rozsa Centre
Pre-Concert Chat: 6:45pm
Concert: 7:30pm
Come and experience this special event as we celebrate today’s emerging, established, and senior musical voices. As part of University of Calgary’s Alchemy Festival and our annual Student Composers’ Program, we are excited to present five world premieres by students of the U of C composition program and twelve (!) from some of Canada’s acclaimed living composers. These were written just for us to premiere in this year-end concert that highlights the collaborative relationships we have with composers—some spanning almost 30 years!
Program
World premieres of new works by:
Five students of the UofC Composition program
Arthur Bachmann
Allan Gordon Bell
Dorothy Chang
Derek Charke
Vincent Ho
Gary Kulesha
Larysa Kuzmenko
Alexina Louie
Maxime McKinley
Kelly-Marie Murphy
Donovan Seidle

Donovan Seidle and James Watson, Rocky Mountain Symphony Orchestra
2026-03-29 15:00 - 17:00 (America/Edmonton) | Vivo for Healthier Generations Indoor Park, 11950 Country Village Link NE, Calgar, Alberta, T3K 6E3, Canada

Kevin Lau, Manitoba Chamber Orchestra
2026-04-12 14:30 - 16:30 (America/Winnipeg) | Crescent Arts Centre, 525 Wardlaw Ave, Winnipeg, Manitoba, R3L 0L9, Canada
6 / IN THE COMPANY OF BIRDS
2.30pm, Sunday, April 12
Crescent Arts Centre, 525 Wardlaw Ave.
Winnipeg Sonora Voices
Anne Manson and Valdine Anderson, conductors
Nature sings in this evocative choral program with Winnipeg Sonora Voices, where birds, voices, and the turning of the seasons inspire new meditations on the rhythms of nature.
Winnipeg Sonora Voices (formerly known as Pembina Trails Voices) is an award-winning auditioned choral program offered to children and young people. Recent performing highlights include the world premiere of Sid Robinovitch’s Jonah with the MCO in 2022 and a guest appearance with the Winnipeg Philharmonic Choir performing Sir Paul McCartney’s Ecce Cor Meum in 2024.
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Kevin Lau
New commissioned work
Ola Gjeilo
Song of the Universal
Astor Piazzolla
The Four Seasons of Buenos Aires
Program subject to change

Marie Clements/Brian Current & Ian Cusson, Manitoba Chamber Orchestra
2026-04-30 19:30 - 21:30 (America/Winnipeg) | Desautels Concert Hall, University of Manitoba, 150 Dafoe Rd W, Winnipeg, Manitoba, R3T 2N2, Canada
7 / SONGS OF RIVER & FIRE
7.30pm, Thursday, April 30
Desautels Concert Hall, University of Manitoba
Melody Courage and Marion Newman, vocals
Anne Manson, conductor
Themes of motherhood, loss, and joy emerge in a program that spans opera, Indigenous voices, and folk tradition, with song and spirit rising together like flame and tide.
Métis soprano Melody Courage gained national attention as The Native Girl “…played with ethereal grace…” in the 2017 world premiere of Marie Clements’ and Brian Current’s opera Missing, co-produced by City Opera Vancouver and Pacific Opera Victoria. Missing gives voice, in English and Gitxsan, to the story of Canada’s missing and murdered Indigenous women.
Critically acclaimed and award-winning mezzo-soprano Marion Newman is Kwagiulth and Stó:lō First Nations with English, Irish and Scottish heritage. She is one of Canada’s most accomplished singers in repertoire ranging from Charpentier to Cusson and operatic roles, including Carmen and Rosina in The Barber of Seville.
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Cassandra Miller
Perfect Offering
Marie Clements/Brian Current
Language Duet from “Missing”
Jacques Offenbach
Belle Nuit
Joy Harjo/Ian Cusson
Fire
Marion Newman
Kinanu
Gioachino Rossini
Una voce poco fa
Camille Saint-Saëns
Mon cœur s’ouvre à ta voix
Richard Strauss
Csárdás
Ian Cusson
Dodo, mon tout petit
G.F. Handel
Piangerò la sorte mia
Program subject to change

Samy Moussa, Calgary Philharmonic Orchestra
2026-05-22 19:30 - 21:30, 2026-05-23 19:30 - 21:30 (America/Edmonton) | Jack Singer Concert Hall, 205 8 Ave SE, Calgary, AB, T2G 0K9, Canada
Program

Discover Mahler’s mighty First Symphony as the Calgary Phil, conducted by Earl Lee, perform this orchestral epic that takes you from the joys of springtime — through rustic dances to an ironic funeral march — and culminates in victory over worldly despair. Before it, relish the rich, nostalgic poetry of Robert Schumann’s eloquent Cello Concerto, featuring distinguished cellist Steven Isserlis.
Samy Moussa Elysium
Robert Schumann Cello Concerto in A Minor
Gustav Mahler Symphony No. 1
Program and artists are subject to change without notice.

Artists

EARL LEE conductor
STEVEN ISSERLIS cello
CALGARY PHILHARMONIC ORCHESTRA
