Looking Back: The 2024/25 ESO Season

By Maia Ellis

Looking back on a year full of standing ovations, musical magic, and shared moments, the 2024/25 season was truly unforgettable because of your support. 
 

From the dazzling virtuosity of Rachmaninoff’s Piano Concerto No. 3 to the thunderous finale of Tchaikovsky’s iconic Piano Concerto No. 1, our Classics concerts were truly a journey to remember. Each performance offered something new and exciting as we explored well-known pieces by Brahms, Mozart, Ravel, Haydn, Schubert, and Tchaikovsky, while also shining a light on lesser-known gems by Bartók, Gould, Bruch, and Chávez. 
 
We celebrated the timeless works of Beethoven with our Beethoven Festival, which included performances of his iconic Eroica Symphony, as well as a very special two-night event where all 5 of his piano concertos were performed. 

We were proud to welcome internationally celebrated soloists to the Winspear stage, including Marc-André Hamelin, Pacho Flores, Jason Vieaux, Jaeden Izik-Dzurko, and Juliette Kang. We also featured some remarkable solo performances by musicians from within our own orchestra, reminding us just how much talent we have right here at home. 

Our New Music series brought a wave of bold ideas and creative energy. JUNO Award-winner Sarah Slean opened the series with an ethereal performance conducted by Bill Eddins. Later in the season, Dinuk Wijeratne captivated audiences with his versatility as a composer, conductor, and pianist. We finished the series with a beautiful celebration of Edmonton’s own John Estacio with a concert devoted to his evocative and powerful music. 

The Pops series offered its own kind of magic. We launched the season with a spirited tribute to Cole Porter, featuring not just one but three guest artists—including a tap dancer! Broadway star Capathia Jenkins wowed us with She’s Got Soul, and soprano Mikaela Bennett was a highlight in this year’s A Very Merry Pops concerts. Fan-favorite conductors Enrico Lopez-Yañez, Jack Everly, Bob Bernhardt, and Stuart Chafetz kept audiences on their feet with music from the Wild West, Broadway, the ‘80s, and more. 

Our Specials series really lived up to its name this year! From five sold-out performances of The Lord of the Rings Symphony to holiday concerts with country star Johnny Reid, and powerful tributes to the music of Hans Zimmer, Simon & Garfunkel, and anime, there was something for everyone. The energy all of you brought to each event is what made them truly unforgettable. 

With our new Music Director Jean-Marie Zeitouni, we’re already excited to share next season’s music with you. Learn more here.

We’re incredibly grateful for each and every one of you. Your support has meant the world to us—it’s what made this season so special. From the bottom of our hearts, thank you.