Sibelius Festival

I'm posting this on January 24 - almost exactly four weeks until the Edmonton Symphony embarks on an unprecedented series of concerts devoted to the music of one composer. ESO Chief Conductor Alexander Prior made sure that orchestra's first such undertaking celebrated the work of a composer he regards as a "lifelong friend" - Jean Sibelius.

Alex's thoughts about the festival are in this video, which I hope you'll watch. What's also in this video - and none too subtle, I might add - is Alex's unbounded passion and enthusiasm for the music of Sibelius. Naturally, our festival will include many Sibelius "hits": the Fifth and Second Symphonies, Valse triste, the Violin Concerto Karelia, Finlandia, etc. But several works will be presented by the ESO for the first time: the Fourth Symphony, The Tempest, Tapiola, and others.

We have ticket specials and other enticements for the festival, and all kinds of other reasons to go. I hope you will.

D.T. Baker