On 10 + 11 May, Principal Bassoon Antoine St-Onge performs with the Orchestra as soloist in Brilliant Bassoon — a concert where audiences will experience all the expressive capabilities of the bassoon — athletic agility, touching tenderness, and virtuosic velocity as Antoine shows them off in Carl Maria Von Weber’s theatrical concerto. Q : Tell us about your Benson Bell bassoon that you perform on.  A:  Benson Bell is a Canadian bassoon maker based in Peterborough, Ontario. He actually lived in Alberta and studied bassoon at the University of Calgary with former Calgary Phil princi ..read more

By Stephania Romaniuk Masters Gallery’s Ryan Green on Supporting The Orchestra and Building Art Appreciation Amongst Calgarians Like his father before him, Calgary Philharmonic champion donor Ryan Green has a way of making people feel comfortable in a space and dissolving barriers to belonging. “His strength was in appreciating, understanding, and being there for people,” shares Ryan about his father, Rod Green. These values are now felt in the professional work, educational ventures, and very atmosphere of the fine art gallery Ryan has led since 2017.  Masters Gallery was founded in ..read more

By Charlotte Lilley The Calgary Philharmonic’s upcoming concert titled Tchaikovsky 5 is set to feature the world premiere of acclaimed composer Errollyn Wallen’s new Violin Concerto. A huge creative and technical undertaking, the performance also marks a major milestone in a years-long collaborative process for Philippe Quint, the violinist for whom the concerto was written. “It’s hard to imagine that it’s been almost three years since we started talking about it, and now we’re six weeks away from the premiere,” he explained in an interview. Philippe’s creative collaboration with Errollyn ..read more

This March, the RBC Calgary Phil Concerto Concert returns for another year. Four students, two each representing the School of Creative and Performing Arts at the University of Calgary and Mount Royal Conservatory will perform as soloists alongside the Calgary Phil in this annual concert. This showcase, supported by the RBC Foundation, provides a platform for emerging artists to display their extraordinary talents, perform alongside a professional orchestra, and receive feedback and mentorship from both Orchestra musicians and the Calgary Phil Artistic Director after the concert. RBC, a lon ..read more

By: Devon Klaas Seven Reasons to Love Bruckner  A divisive figure in the world of music, many listeners seem to either love or loathe Anton Bruckner’s music. Whether you’ve decided your faction, or remain undecided, we propose his sixth symphony as reason to define Bruckner as an undeniably enjoyable 19th century composer.   1.The Sixth is His “Saucy” Symphony: Bruckner said “Die Sechste ist die keckste” – meaning this symphony is his boldest, or loosely translated, his sauciest. What does that really mean? It’s got the sauce – everything you might crave in a symphonic work ..read more

By Chris L. Butler This winter has wrapped a cold blanket around the city! But don’t worry — your Calgary Phil has got a dynamic duo of concerts coming up that will warm your spirits! Transport yourself to musical realms and soulful sounds from around the world. Each performance, a masterpiece in its own right, curated to stir emotions, provoke thought, and ignite your passion for the symphonic experience. Montgomery + Mesa 2 February 2024 Guest conductor Andrés González leads a poignant exploration of beauty amidst chaos in a concert featuring music from the dynamic composer Jessie M ..read more

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By Charlotte Lilley For conductor Andrés González, music and social justice have always gone hand in hand. Originally from Venezuela, where he received his early training through El Sistema (a program well known for its use of music education as a means of social engagement and development), Andrés is a firm believer in the positive social impact that music can have. “The music basically touched my life and saved my life, otherwise I wouldn’t be able to do what I’m doing right now,” he explained in an interview. “There is no other way that myself or my parents could pay for the education ..read more

By Autumn Fox How many people do you know can claim Yo-Yo Ma taught them the cello in their after-school music class? Be it through movies, cartoons, lullabies, parents, older siblings, or an in-person tutorial with Yo-Yo Ma himself, early exposure to music provides a vast number of developmental benefits — be it cognitive, intersocial, motivational, emotional, or physical. However, faced with evolving challenges, schools often have the difficult task of juggling core curriculum with opportunities for skilled expression. Students in marginalized communities are even more at risk of losing a ..read more

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