Esprit Orchestra returns to the stage on February 23 with the second of their Prelude Live shows, that includes three concerti and the Canadian premiere of a piece by Steve Reich. Esprit’s Prelude Live shows are a lead as much as their Fringe of Your Seat Worldwide Competition later this Spring.
EO’s Creative Director Alex Pauk’s personal work, Concerto for Harp & Orchestra, can also be on the invoice. Pauk composed the piece, which he describes as a sort of musical self portrait, for Canadian harpist Erica Goodman, who’ll be reprising it for the live performance.
Soloists Mark Fewer, violin, and Kevin Ahfat, piano, will carry out Hans Abrahamsen’s Double Concerto, a fragile and evocative work. Harpsichord virtuoso Wesley Shen takes centre stage for Henryk Gorecki’s Harpsichord Concerto, a fast fireplace piece in two actions that showcases the instrument’s energy and flexibility in modern music.
Steve Reich & The Runner
Steve Reich has been referred to as “America’s biggest residing composer,” and his affect on modern music is simple.
His work has been acknowledged with two GRAMMY awards, a Pulitzer Prize, and the Gold Medal in Music by the American Academy of Arts and Letters, amongst different accolades. At 88, he’s nonetheless energetic, with one other premiere, this time the world premiere of Totally different Trains (String Orchestra model), on this system later this month with the Oregon Symphony.
Reich is taken into account a large within the style of minimalism, and his tackle it’s distinctive. He incorporates influences from world wide, just like the Ghanaian customary bell patterns he makes use of as the premise for the third motion of The Runner.
The Runner (2016)
Reich says Runner is written, “for a big ensemble of winds, percussion, pianos, and strings. Whereas the tempo stays roughly fixed, there are 5 actions, performed with out pause, which are primarily based on completely different notice durations.”
The piece noticed its world premiere in November 2016 on the Royal Opera Home, London, commissioned by Royal Opera Home Covent Backyard and Ensemble Sign by means of New Music USA’s Commissioning Music/USA program.
The composer performs with rhythmic durations all through the 5 actions, starting with sixteenths, adopted by eighths, then quarters, then the identical sample happens in reverse. Pairs of pianos and vibraphones present the rhythmic compass for the winds and strings so as to add the melodies.
It’s a dynamic work by an all the time fascinating composer.
- The February 23 live performance begins with Musical Insights with Alexina Louie and buddies. Extra particulars, and tickets, obtainable [HERE].
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Anya Wassenberg is a Toronto Metropolis Editor at Ludwig Van. She is an skilled freelance author, blogger and writing teacher.
