Esprit Orchestra returns to the stage on February 23 with the second of their Prelude Concerts, featuring three concerti and the Canadian premiere of a work by Steve Reich. Esprit’s Prelude Concerts are a lead up to their Edge of Your Seat International Festival later this Spring.
EO’s Artistic Director Alex Pauk’s own work, Concerto for Harp & Orchestra, is also on the bill. Pauk composed the piece, which he describes as a kind of musical self portrait, for Canadian harpist Erica Goodman, who’ll be reprising it for the concert.
Soloists Mark Fewer, violin, and Kevin Ahfat, piano, will perform Hans Abrahamsen’s Double Concerto, a delicate and evocative work. Harpsichord virtuoso Wesley Shen takes centre stage for Henryk Gorecki’s Harpsichord Concerto, a rapid fire piece in two movements that showcases the instrument’s power and versatility in contemporary music.
Steve Reich & The Runner
Steve Reich has been called “America’s greatest living composer,” and his influence on contemporary music is undeniable.
His work has been recognized with two GRAMMY awards, a Pulitzer Prize, and the Gold Medal in Music by the American Academy of Arts and Letters, among other accolades. At 88, he’s still active, with another premiere, this time the world premiere of Different Trains (String Orchestra version), on the program later this month with the Oregon Symphony.
Reich is considered a giant in the genre of minimalism, and his take on it is unique. He incorporates influences from around the world, like the Ghanaian standard bell patterns he uses as the basis for the third movement of The Runner.
The Runner (2016)
Reich says Runner is written, “for a large ensemble of winds, percussion, pianos, and strings. While the tempo remains more or less constant, there are five movements, played without pause, that are based on different note durations.”
The piece saw its world premiere in November 2016 at the Royal Opera House, London, commissioned by Royal Opera House Covent Garden and Ensemble Signal through New Music USA’s Commissioning Music/USA program.
The composer plays with rhythmic durations throughout the five movements, beginning with sixteenths, followed by eighths, then quarters, then the same pattern occurs in reverse. Pairs of pianos and vibraphones provide the rhythmic compass for the winds and strings to add the melodies.
It’s a dynamic work by an always fascinating composer.
- The February 23 concert begins with Musical Insights with Alexina Louie and friends. More details, and tickets, available [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.
