Two special event concerts will wind down the mainstage season for the Hamilton Philharmonic Orchestra with a poignant note as they also say good-bye to conductor Gemma New. An intimate concert on May 1 will be followed by a mainstage event on May 4, where New will conduct Beethoven’s iconic 9th symphony, with other events to mark the special week.
“It seems we have found the perfect way to celebrate a beautiful nine years together; through highlighting brilliant music by composers of our time and completing the week with the magnificent Ode to Joy from Beethoven’s 9th,” Gemma says in a statement.
“It continues to be deeply rewarding to learn about the rich talent of Canadian voices and in May we will dive into the sound worlds of Michael Maevskiy, Saman Shahi, Quinn Jacobs, Ana Sokolovic, Cecilia Livingston, Cris Derksen, Brian Current, Andrew Balfour and Claude Vivier – such a phenomenal line up! The last two reflect upon themes that also are dealt with in Beethoven 9, while the rest create an Intimate and Immersive evening exploring what it is to interact with one another through life and spirituality.”
The Concerts
Gemma New came to the Hamilton Philharmonic nine years ago, and has raised the profile of the organization even as her own international reputation has grown. Her thoughtful programming has resulted in initiatives such as the Intimate & Immersive new music concert series. The Intimate & Immersive series incorporates the work of multimedia visual artists along with the music of the orchestra.
Intimate & Immersive: Suspended Doorways | May 1 at The Cotton Factory
The Intimate & Immersive: Suspended Doorways,features world premieres by HPO Composer Fellow Michael Maevskiy and Canadian composer Dr. Quinn Jacobs, and works from the Canadian Opera Company’s Composer-in-Residence Cecilia Livingston, multi award-winning composer Ana Sokolovic, and JUNO-award nominees Cris Derkson and Saman Shahi.
Contemporary music will be paired with visuals by multidisciplinary artist Diana VanderMeulen. Diana’s work revolves around extended reality, building multisensory environments that veer between digital and analogue media.
Gemma Conducts Beethoven 9 | May 4 at FirstOntario Concert Hall
Celebrating Gemma’s nine years as Music Director, the concert opens with Andrew Balfour’s Mamachimowin, which explores the relationship between Canada and the First Nations in music. It will be followed by Claude Vivier’s Lonely Child for orchestra and soprano. The concert concludes with Beethoven’s Symphony No. 9, with soloists soprano Carla Huhtanen, mezzo-soprano Lauren Segal, tenor Lawrence Wilif, and baritone Alexander Dobson, along with the Bach Elgar Choir, Strata Vocal Ensemble, Masterworks of Oakville, and Georgetown Bach Chorale.
Other Events
Talk & Tea: Beethoven & Vivier | May 3
Light refreshments accompany a talk by host Abigail Richardson-Schulte. She’ll delve into the life and music of Ludwig van Beethoven and Canadian composer Claude Vivier.
Dine in the Spotlight | May 5
This special fundraiser in support of music education programs in schools and the community will be hosted by Gemma New, Executive Director Kim Varian and Board Chair Heather Beale. Ticket holders will enjoy a chef-curated 3-course dinner with wine pairings, an opportunity to bid on exciting auction items, and performances by HPO and HPYO musicians.
A Farewell to Gemma New
The recipient of the 2021 Sir George Solti Conducting Award, Gemma has garnered rave reviews as a guest conductor recently in Vancouver and Seattle, and has carved a name for herself throughout North America and in Europe as well. She will be entering her second year as Artistic Advisor and Principal Conductor of the New Zealand Symphony Orchestra.
She reminisces about arriving in Hamilton from her native New Zealand, “My very first week with the orchestra highlighted a new work by Abigail Richardson-Schulte and Beethoven’s Pastorale Symphony. Ever since our first rehearsal, I have admired the dedication and strength of our HPO musicians and staff and I have cherished our evident joy and passion felt as we make music together. The message of Beethoven 9’s Ode to Joy relates well to our journey together, reflecting upon the uplifting power created when we unite harmoniously, hand-in-hand, and acknowledging the sense of humility and awe as we listen to this music that speaks of emotion, life and our miraculous world.”
Gemma leaves big shoes to fill in Hamilton.
- Find information about all events, and tickets, [HERE].
Are you looking to promote an event? Have a news tip? Need to know the best events happening this weekend? Send us a note.
#LUDWIGVAN
Get the daily arts news straight to your inbox.
Sign up for the Ludwig Van Toronto e-Blast! — local classical music and opera news straight to your inbox HERE.
- PREVIEW | Upper Canada Choristers Celebrate 30th Anniversary With World Premieres, New Beginnings - May 3, 2024
- THE SCOOP | Could The Kitchener Waterloo Symphony Be On The Road To Renewal? - May 3, 2024
- PREVIEW | The Orpheus Choir Of Toronto Ends The Season With Jocelyn Hagen’s The Notebooks Of Leonardo Da Vinci - May 2, 2024
