ESPRIT ORCHESTRA PRESENTS F(X)=SEASON OPENING PRELUDE CONCERT AT KOERNER HALL
TORONTO, ON – On Wednesday, November 27th, 2024, Esprit Orchestra will kick-off the 2024/25 concert season with f(x)=, the first of two Prelude Concerts leading to the Edge of Your Seat International Festival in the spring. Music Director Alex Pauk will lead the orchestra, now in their 42nd season, through works by composers spanning three continents. This concert will be preceded by Musical Insights (formerly Pre-Concert Talks) with composer Alexina Louie and special guests at 7:15PM.
f(x)=sin2x-1/x, by the rising-star American composer Gabriella Smith, invites the listener to consider, “What would f(x)=sin2x-1/x sound like? The answer: It sounds like this piece! The equation produces a curved line that dictates and illustrates the form of the work, in the same way that traditional rondo and sonata forms are used. f(x)=sin2x-1/x musically follows the shape of the line below, beginning softly before building to a vigorous finale perfectly befitting the grand opening of Esprit’s season. Later this season, Esprit will revisit the music of Smith with performances of Imaginary Pancake and Carrot Revolution. This performance marks the Canadian Premiere of f(x)=sin2x-1/x.
Accordionist Michael Bridge, among the most compelling and exceptional musicians of his generation, joins Esprit to present the North American Premiere of the searingly beautiful It is pain flowing down slowly on a white wall by Danish composer Bent Sørensen. In the composer’s own words, “ It is music full of slow motion – full of sorrow – full of tangos with no dancers. Maybe I imagined the tears of an accordion player flowing down slowly on the bellow of the instrument.” The accordion is accompanied by the orchestra’s string section, who also double as a choir, employing their voices and, perhaps surprisingly, a chorus of melodicas! Following this performance, Michael Bridge will be presented with the Canada Council for the Arts Virginia Parker Prize.
Fū-Shi (“Shape of the Wind”) by Japan’s Maki Ishii comprises an East-West fusion of sweeping, epic proportions and rounds out the convergence of diverse cultures on this program. While Smith looked to mathematics for the form of her work, Ishii in this instance has found inspiration in the Far East, employing the three section form “jo-ha-kyū” (preparation-breaking/development-rushing/fast finale), inspired by Japanese “Noh” theatre. Employing large orchestral forces, Fū-Shi begins with a rumble, leading into a section of dynamic development before the frenetic, thrilling finale!