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Triple Concerto

philip.paschke@winspearcentre.com (Robert Rival) — Wed, 25 Apr 2012 21:18:06 +0000

In this podcast produced by ESO Composer-in-Residence Robert Rival, John Estacio previews his Triple Concerto, commissioned by the ESO in 1997 for the grand opening of the Winspear Centre. Angela Cheng (piano), Denise Djokic (cello) and Juliette Kang (violin) join the ESO in performances of this work on May 4 & 5, 2012 in Edmonton and again at Carnegie Hall in New York City on May 8, 2012.

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Dreaming of the Masters

philip.paschke@winspearcentre.com (Robert Rival) — Tue, 24 Apr 2012 19:36:53 +0000

In this podcast produced by ESO Composer-in-Residence Robert Rival, Allan Gilliland previews his work Dreaming of the Masters III, a jazz concerto written for trumpet virtuoso Jens Lindemann and commissioned by the ESO in 2010. Lindemann joins the ESO in performances of this work on May 4 & 5, 2012 in Edmonton and again at Carnegie Hall in New York City on May 8, 2012. (Musical samples from the version recorded by Lindemann and the Fodens Brass Band of Manchester, UK.)

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Achilles & Scamander

philip.paschke@winspearcentre.com (Robert Rival) — Mon, 26 Mar 2012 21:46:57 +0000

In this podcast, Composer-in-Residence Robert Rival previews his work Achilles & Scamander, a symphonic tone poem premiering on March 31, 2012 at the ESO's Landmark Classic Masters performance of "Rolston plays Dvořák":

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Our 2012 Young Composers

philip.paschke@winspearcentre.com (Robert Rival) — Tue, 20 Mar 2012 21:40:34 +0000

Each year the ESO selects one (or two) talented students from local high schools to take part in the Young Composers Project (YCP). The 2012 winners of this competition are Daniel Belland of St. Joseph High School and Samantha Semler of Strathcona High School. Coincidentally the two are accomplished at both the piano and flute. On the basis of the portfolio of compositions they submitted, and the work they have undertaken so far, they show great promise as composers as well.

The ESO's Composer-in-Residence, Robert Rival, has been meeting with them on a regular basis since early February. Daniel and Samantha will each write an original work for symphony orchestra, about five minutes long, to be premiered at the orchestra's popular Symphony Under the Sky festival (Aug. 31 to Sep. 3 at Hawrelak Park). Below, in their own words, are the students' impressions of the YCP after a few lessons:

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!