Emily Carr Project. Five World Premieres. Two Multi-Discipline Concerts

EMILY CARR PROJECT
FIVE WORLD PREMIERES. TWO MULTI-DISCIPLINE CONCERTS.

October 11 and October 15, 2011 at 8pm

 September 28, 2011

The Victoria Symphony participates in a Victoria-wide collaborative celebration of the life and work of the remarkable Emily Carr.  The Emily Carr Project concerts explore Emily Carr’s painting, poetry and connection to the people of the First Nations. These October 11 and October 15, 2011 concerts include the world premiere performance of several new works by Canadian composers and feature dance, recitations of Emily Carr’s poetry and video presentations of her paintings  Both concerts take place at 8pm at the UVic Centre Farquhar Auditorium, 3800 Finnerty Rd.,Victoria

Concert No. 1, October 11, 2011:  The Victoria Symphony presents original works inspired by the art and words of Emily Carr.  World premieres of Emily’s Piece by Anna Höstman,  il suono indaco by Giorgio Magnanensi and Songs for E. Carr by Veda Hille.

Canadian Anna Höstman was a Composer-in-Residence with the Victoria Symphony between 2005 and 2008 and during that time premiered six of her orchestral works. Her new composition, Emily’s Piece, was commissioned by the Victoria Symphony and includes four movements inspired by a quartet of 1930’s paintings by Emily Carr.

Giorgio Magnanensi’s diverse and extensive compositions include orchestral, chamber, electronic and multimedia works.  As artistic director of Vancouver New Music, he has become an “increasingly influential figure in Vancouver’s developing classical/jazz crossover culture” (Alex Varty). Il suono indaco, commissioned by Victoria Symphony, includes three panels for chamber orchestra, video painting and live electronics, performed by the composer.

Vancouver-born Veda Hille released her first indie CD in the early 1990’s and has been touring Canada, the US and Germany ever since. She and her band join the orchestra to conclude the concert with the world premiere of Songs for E. Carr.  Commissioned by the Victoria Symphony, Songs for E. Carr expands upon an earlier commission for Mascall Dance.  Existing material has been orchestrated and new work created with all orchestrations by Giorgio Magnanensi and Ford Pier.

Concert No. 2, October 15, 2011:  The Victoria Symphony presents original works inspired by Emily Carr’s relationship with the natural world and with the First Nations peoples of British Columbia.  World premieres of Tree People and Seven by Barbara Croall and Stories from Klee Wyck by Tobin Stokes.

Odawa composer Barbara Croall (Manitoulin Island, Kineu Dodem) is active internationally, with works performed in  Europe, the US, and Canada.  She performs and composes on traditional First Nations flutes and sings in traditional ceremonies, but is also a classically trained musician and the recipient of the Glenn Gould Award in Composition (1989).  In Tree People and Seven, commissioned by the Victoria Symphony, Croall is joined by Chief Frank Nelson (Kwakwaka’wakw artist and a member of the Musgamagw Tribe of Kingcome Inlet) as narrator.  The piece also features a dance performance choreographed by Alejandro Ronceria, the first director of the aboriginal dance program at the Banff Centre for the Arts in Alberta.

Tobin Stokes was Composer-In-Residence with the Victoria Symphony from 2005-2008. Current commissions include his second symphony, a large choral work, and theatre work for the Chemainus Theatre and The Other Guys Theatre Company, while recent choral pieces have premiered in Spain and Australia. Stories from Klee Wyck, commissioned by the Victoria Symphony, contains ten movements based on Emily Carr’s writings.  The musical stories are enhanced with a theatricality that includes First Nations mezzo soprano Marion Newman, narrator William Wasden and lighting effects.  The Emily Carr String Quartet is also featured.

All tickets are $25 and are available at the door or from the Victoria Symphony Box Office at 250-385-6815. For more information visit www.victoriasymphony.ca.

The Victoria Symphony wishes to acknowledge the generous support of the Canada Council for the Arts, the British Columbia Arts Council, and Arts Partners in Creative Development.  The Emily Carr Project is a Victoria-wide collaborative celebration of Carr’s life and work by partners The Victoria Symphony, Maltwood Gallery, Carr House, the Vancouver Island School of Art and Intrepid Theatre.

The Victoria Symphony celebrates its 71st season this year offering audiences concerts in six series, a commitment to fostering new music and a dedication to community involvement through music education. Showcasing the outstanding talents of its musicians and guest artists, the Victoria Symphony’s 2011-2012 Season offers a diverse and exciting line-up of over 50 concerts led by its Music Director Tania Miller.

For more information visit www.victoriasymphony.ca

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