Wednesday, January 24 2024

Alex Pauk, Conductor
Naomi Sato, Shō
Zhongxi Wu, Sheng/Suona

Programme:
Misato Mochizuki (Japan): Nigredo * (2009/rev.2018), Hommage à Robert Schumann
Unsuk Chin (South Korea):  Operascope ** (2023)
Rita Ueda (Canada): Birds Calling…From the Canada in You *** (2022), for shō, sheng/suona & orchestra
I. Phoenix Flies Over the Ocean of Dreams
II. Birds Canada
III. Danger!
IV. From the Canada in You

* North American Premiere
** North American Premiere, co-commissioned by the Bayerische Staatsorchester (DE), Esprit Orchestra (CA)  Orchestre de Paris (FR), Sao Paulo State Symphony Orchestra (BR) & Tongyeong Festival (KR)
*** Toronto Premiere, originally commissioned by the Azrieli Foundation as the recipient of the 2022 Azrieli Music Prize for New Canadian Music.

Collaborating with some of the world’s great orchestras, Esprit has co-commissioned Operascope for orchestra by Unsuk Chin and will give the work’s North American Premiere on this program. Operascope traces the history of operatic music – with references to Verdi, Puccini, Messiaen, Berg and Shostakovich. Azrieli Music Prize-winner Rita Ueda’s double concerto, with musicians positioned throughout Koerner Hall, blends Japanese, Chinese and Western influences with the Canadian landscape (especially bird calls) and pursues a new transcultural musical identity by asking what it means to migrate and settle on land already rich in history. Mochizuki’s musical collage intimates deep psychological transformations as described by Carl G. Jung and almost subliminally incorporates an homage to Robert Schumann.