THE ESPRIT ORCHESTRA IS CANADA’S ONLY FULL-SIZE ORCHESTRA DEDICATED EXCLUSIVELY

TO NEW MUSIC. ESPRIT’S CONCERT SEASON BEGINS IN OCTOBER WHEN THE ORCHESTRA

TAKES THE STAGE AT KOERNER HALL FOR THE ENTIRE SEASON.

DREAM RAINBOW, DREAM THUNDER MUSIC FOR THE SENSES SUNDAY, OCTOBER 17, 2010 AT 8:00 PM 7:15 pm pre-concert talk

Alex Pauk, Conductor; Wallace Halladay - saxophones; Peter Chin - dancer/ choreographer; Larry Weinstein - film maker

The vibrant rhythms of Good’s jazz-inflected music are contrasted with the luminous, gentle Balinese pulsations of McPhee’s Nocturne (enhanced with dance and film) and the atmospheric, and at times turbulent, musical dreams of R. Murray Schafer. Ives’ evocation of Central Park at night transports the listener to another world. Adés covers a vast emo- tional spectrum using fragile, crystalline textures, lyrical melodies, and massive, highly charged cascades of sound. Dream Rainbow, Dream Thunder by R. Murray Schafer; Nocturne by Colin McPhee; Babbitt by Scott Good (concerto for saxophones and orches- tra); Asyla by Thomas Adés; Central Park in the Dark by Charles Ives

OBSESSIONS

SUNDAY, NOVEMBER 21, 2010 AT 8:00 PM 7:15 pm pre-concert talk

Alex Pauk, Conductor; Russell Braun — baritone

A moving letter from van Gogh to his brother, Theo, and instructions from Monet to his gardener about the planting of his gardens at Giverny, are set to music in a concert that also offers parallel musical conceptions (accompanied by film and video projections) of Klee, Vasarely, and Town. Seven Studies on Themes of Paul Klee by Gunther Schuller; Hommage a Vasarely by John Rea; Obsessions for baritone and orchestra by Alexina Louie; Town by Harry Freedman

THE RIVER SUNDAY, JANUARY 30, 2011 AT 8:00 PM 7:15 pm pre-concert talk

Alex Pauk, Conductor; Teng Li - viola; Elmer Iseler Singers, Lydia Adams - conductor

Both shores of the river Styx are conveyed through works that carry humorous, joyous musical outbursts, as well as profound lamentations. Kancheli’s tribute to his departed friends, the composers Schnittke and Terterian, with the viola mediating between choir and orchestra, symbolizes the river Styx as the means of transition between the kingdom of the dead and the world of the living. Lux Aeterna by Gyérgy Ligeti; Discouraged Passion by Douglas Schmidt; Symphonie minute by José Evangelista; Styx for viola, choir and orchestra by Giya Kancheli

MUSICAL OFFERINGS SUNDAY, MAY 15, 2011 AT 8:00 PM 7:15 pm pre-concert talk

Alex Pauk, Conductor; Marie Bérard - violin

This concert features music deriving inspiration from many sources, including Bach’s A Musical Offering, the cosmic “music of the spheres,” and the mythological bird, the Phoenix. We anticipate the moment of revelation, when composer Chris Harman shares the inspiration of his brand new piece with us, thereby completing this program of mystery, enlightenment, and beauty. Offertorium by Sofia Gubaidulina; Cosmos by Alex Pauk; New Work by Chris Paul Harman; Phénix by Denis Gougeon

SUBSCRIPTION TICKETS ARE by phone 416.408-2824 ON S ALE NOW!

in person atthe Royal Conservatory. 273 Bloor Street West. online www.rcmusic.ca

Single tickets will go on sale September 1. Programming and soloists are subject to change. For more info please visit www.espritorchestra.com.