Calgary Philharmonic's May Lineup to Feature Trio of Classics Concerts
The Calgary Philharmonic Orchestra and Edmonton Symphony Orchestra join forces once again for Alberta in Harmony: The Planets.
A joint performance with the Edmonton Symphony Orchestra, the Calgary Phil debut of world-renowned soloist Steven Isserlis, and more are set for Calgary Philharmonic's lineup this may.
Sharing their respective concert hall stages for the first time since 2023’s Moving Mahler performances, the Calgary Philharmonic Orchestra and Edmonton Symphony Orchestra join forces once again for Alberta in Harmony: The Planets. The Calgary Phil heads to the Winspear Centre in Edmonton on April 29 to join the ESO for the first of two concerts; then, on May 2, the ESO takes to the stage side-by-side with the Phil at the Jack Singer Concert Hall. John Luther Adams haunting Become Ocean warms up the launch pad at the top of the program before they take off for a tour of the solar system with Gustav Holst’s enthralling planetary mood pictures. Conductor Naomi Woo leads more than 125 musicians from Alberta’s two professional orchestras. Note: both the Edmonton and Calgary dates are sold out.
On May 8, the Orchestra and audiences are set to embark on another journey, this time with our feet planted back on Earth. Conductor Cosette Justo Valdés returns to the Calgary Phil to lead the Orchestra for this musical travelogue, Postcards from Italy, at the Jack Singer Concert Hall. The program features: Igor Stravinsky's take on Pulcinella, a traditional character of the Neapolitan stage; Ottorino Respighi's Trittico Botticelliano, an evocation of three celebrated paintings by Italian Renaissance artist Sandro Botticelli; and Felix Mendelssohn’s Symphony No. 4, inspired by impressions of Italian scenery and architecture.
Also returning to the podium is conductor Earl Lee, who leads the Orchestra in Mahler’s First Symphony on May 22 + 23. Gustav Mahler’s orchestral epic takes you from the joys of springtime — through rustic dances to an ironic funeral march — and culminates in victory over worldly despair. Opening the program is Canadian composer Samy Moussa’s Elysium, followed by Robert Schumann’s Cello Concerto in A Minor. Joining Lee and the Orchestra as soloist for the latter piece is distinguished British cellist Steven Isserlis in his first ever performance with the Calgary Phil. Also renowned as an author, educator, and broadcaster, Isserlis has a vast, award-winning discography that includes most of the cello repertoire. In 1998, he was awarded a CBE by Queen Elizabeth II in recognition of his services to music. Note: Earl Lee is trained cellist, making him an inspired choice to lead this concert.
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