Explore the latest music events happening in Thunder Bay and surrounding areas.
08 November 2024 - 7:30 pm Hilldale Lutheran Church Program There is so much beauty and perfection in the world all around us that in these turbulent times it’s more important then ever to stop and appreciate the wonder and quiet power of nature. This concert is an ode to the world at large, to… Read More »TBSO Voices – Caretakers
02 February 2024 - 7:30 pm Hilldale Lutheran Church
Program
HILLDALE CHAMBER SERIES
Prepare to be swept away by the playful and acrobatic nature of this concert featuring works by Ligeti, Archer, Bozza, and Prokofiev.
Ligeti – Six Bagatelles
Archer – Sonata for Flute, Clarinet, & Piano
Bozza – Three Pieces for Brass Quartet
Prokofiev – Quintet Op.39 “Trapèze”
Featuring
TBSO Musicians
Ligeti’s “6 Bagatelles” is an energetic and colorful piece that combines elements of jazz and folk music, while Archer’s “Sonata for Flute, Clarinet & Piano” is a playful and lighthearted piece that showcases these instrument’s versatility. Bozza’s “3 Pieces for Brass Quartet” is a spirited and rhythmic work that explores the full range of tonal possibilities of the brass instruments, and Prokofiev’s “Quintet Op 39 in G minor “Trapèze”” is a dazzling and virtuosic piece showcasing the composer’s skillful use of rhythm and melody. Join us for an evening of thrilling performances that celebrate the whimsy, dancing, and acrobatics of these dynamic works. Whether you are a seasoned music lover or new to classical music, this concert promises to be an unforgettable experience.
Program
HILLDALE CHAMBER SERIES
Celebrate the rich legacy of British classical music, and the enduring influence of Charles Villers Stanford on the development of these great composers.
Jacob – Five Bagatelles
I. Holst – Phantasy Quartet
Schafer – String Quartet No.12
G. Holst – Wind Quintet in Ab Major
Coleridge Taylor – Nonet in F minor
Featuring
TBSO Musicians
Gordon Jacob’s “5 Bagatelles” is a delightful and light-hearted piece, with a charming mix of traditional and modern elements. Imogen Holst’s “Phantasy Quartet” showcases the composer’s skillful use of counterpoint, creating a rich tapestry of sound. R. Murray Schafer’s “String Quartet No. 12” is a mesmerizing work that explores the range of sonic possibilities of the string quartet. Gustav Holst’s “Wind Quintet in A-Flat Major” demonstrates the composer’s mastery of harmony and counterpoint, and Coleridge Taylor’s “Nonet in f minor” is soulful and evocative, showcasing the composer’s ability to mix folk and classical music.
HILLDALE CHAMBER SERIES
Experience the tropics with the vibrant and bold sounds of Latin American music in the debut concert of our Chamber Music Series!
Morlock – Theft
Santos – Ykamiabas
D’Rivera – Aires Tropicales
Evangelista – Spanish Garland
Ginastera – String Quartet No. 1
Featuring
TBSO Musicians
Each piece explores different aspects of the rich musical traditions of Latin America, taking audiences on a journey through the region’s diverse and unique soundscape. Morlock’s “Theft” blends traditional Latin American rhythms with contemporary classical elements, while Santos’ “Ykamiabas” draws inspiration from the Amazonian rainforest. Paquito D’Rivera’s “Aires Tropicales” pays homage to Cuba’s lively and colourful music, and José Evangelista’s “Spanish Garland” takes listeners on a musical voyage through Spain. Get swept away to the tropics with us!
Though written at roughly the same time, the symphonies of Weill and Prokofiev are remarkably contrasting. Could it be because the two young composers came from countries on opposing sides of WWI? Join us as we explore these two pieces side by side – something that could never have occurred a century ago. TBSO Principal Timpanist Kevin Brohman is featured on Oesterle’s piece for solo vibraphone and strings and Tüür’s “Action-Passion-Illusion” serves as neutral sacred – a musical no man’s land – between the two symphonies.
Kurt Weill: Symphony No.1 Michael Oesterle: Kaluza Klein —intermission—Erkki-Sven Tüür: Action-Passion-Illusion Sergei Prokofiev: Symphony No.1 in D major, Op. 25 “Classical”
Tickets can be purchased online or from Hilldale Lutheran Church (Office hours M-F 9am-2pm 768-9890).
Mask friendly.
Schreker’s Chamber Symphony is a feat of agility and virtuosity, demanding a soloistic vigour from all 24 instrumentalists. An exploration of post-WWI Germanic music, this piece is an exciting innovation to the traditional Germanic style. Mozart’s “Prague” Symphony on the other hand is representative of true Germanic traditions. Laced with cheeky Mozartian melodies and wit, it is a reminder of not only Mozart’s greatness but his staying power for centuries. Featuring the TBSO’s Principal Oboist Colleen Kennedy, Mozetich’s Calla Lilies is a hauntingly beautiful impressionistic piece, offering a lyrical change of pace.
Franz Schreker: Chamber SymphonyMarjan Mozetich: Calla Lilies for Oboe and Strings TBD – solo oboe piece—intermission—Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart: Symphony No.38
Journeying from the sorrowful to the jubilant, we begin the concert with two French greats, Maurice Ravel and Lili Boulanger, who together unfurl a snapshot of the rich flowing harmonies of the Paris tradition. The TBSO’s intrepid Principal Clarinetist Peter Shackleton is featured in Canadian Composer Randal Peters’ “Luminous” for solo clarinet and strings which received its world premiere less than a year ago. The concert is topped off with Schubert’s exuberant 5th Symphony, completing our journey with an explosion of joy.
Maurice Ravel: Pavane pour une infante défunte Lili Boulanger: D’un soir triste Lili Boulanger: D’un midi du printemps Randal Peters: Luminous—intermission—Franz Schubert: Symphony No.5 B flat major, D. 485
Join the Fort William Male Choir as they present : Prelude to Christmas. Ring in the Holiday Season with the richness of 4 port male harmony, as we sing some of your favourite Christmas Season music.
Join us for a concert exploring community identity and pride featuring TBSO Assistant Concertmaster Kathlyn Stevens. Ginastera’s variations was composed as the result of a commission from his home country of Argentina; he was able to adapt folk traditions into his personal style. Mendelssohn’s Violin Concerto has a long tradition of cementing a soloist’s place in the world, used to showcase one’s personality and uniqueness. Dinuk Wijeratne uses the “21st century language of the people”, the modern pop genre, to revitalize a lost art, and the great “Papa” Haydn wows us with Symphony 102, considered by many to be his best.
Alberto Ginastera: Variaciones Concertantes, Op. 23
Felix Mendelssohn: Violin Concerto in E minor, Op. 64
—intermission—
Dinuk Wijeratne: Two Pop Songs on Antique Poems
Franz Joseph Haydn: Symphony No. 102 in B flat major
In this concert we explore the evolution of musical traditions and how they manifest themselves today. Opening with CPE Bach’s Symphony No. 2, we hear the beginnings of the classical symphonic tradition. Danika Loren’s innovative composition continues in the lineage of Richard Strauss’ famous lieder genre, updating it for 21st century audiences. Coulthard’s “Quebec May” demonstrates the establishment of new Canadian traditions, and Beethoven’s 7th symphony caps off the concert as the symphonic tradition introduced by CPE Bach comes full circle
Carl Philipp Emanuel Bach – Symphony no.2 in E-flat majorDanika Loren – The Idlers, At Sunset, Close ByJean Coulthard – Quebec May—intermission—Ludwig van Beethoven – Symphony No.7 in A major, Op. 92
Stravinsky and Beethoven
25 March 2022 - 7:30 pm Hilldale Lutheran Church
Get ready for a powerhouse performance by the symphony featuring the TBSO strings, and violinist Chris Stork!
Igor Stravinsky: Concerto for Strings,
Pēteris Vasks: Lonely Angel
Ludvig van Beethoven: Symphony No. 6 in F major, Op. 68
Featuring
Paul Haas, conductor
Christopher Stork, violin
TBSO marks 50 years since Stravinsky passed away in New York. One of the most important composers of the 20th century, Stravinsky’s Concerto for Strings displays his immaculate neoclassical writing – it’s a study in contrasts from gritty to graceful.
Pēteris Vasks’ Lonely Angel is a song-like meditation for violin and string orchestra featuring TBSO Principal Second Violin Chris Stork. For the title, Vasks had in mind the image of an angel flying over the world, looking at the world’s condition with grieving eyes and bringing beautiful music of comfort and healing.
Beethoven’s Pastoral Symphony No. 6 is a masterpiece that explores the power of nature to heal and restore the human spirit in 5 vignettes: arriving in the countryside, a scene by a brook, a gathering of country people, the famous thunderstorm and ending with thankfulness.
