Program Notes

Program Notes

View the concert list below to select your concert's Program Notes.
Program notes © 2021, 2022, 2023 by D.T. Baker (except where noted)


Current & Upcoming Programs:

December 8 & 9, 2023

Handel's Messiah

ESO Holiday Special

Friday, December 8, 2023 ● 7:30 PM
Saturday, December 9, 2023 ● 7:30 PM


Digital Program Program Notes (Printer-Friendly)


Past Programs:

November 30, 2023

Of Time & Flames: Poetry in Music

ESO New Music

Thursday, November 30, 2023 ● 7:30 PM


Digital Program Program Notes (Printer-Friendly)

November 24 & 25, 2023

Sinatra and Beyond with Tony DeSare

ESO Robbins Pops

Friday, November 24 ● 7:30 PM
Saturday, November 25 ● 7:30 PM


Digital Program

November 21, 2023

Jacobs Plays Bach

Live At The Winspear

Tuesday, November 21 ● 7:30 PM


Digital Program

November 17 - 19, 2023

Britten & Dvořák

ESO Classics

Friday, November 17 ● 7:30 PM
Saturday, November 18 ● 7:30 PM
Sunday, November 19 ● 2:00 PM


Digital Program Program Notes (Printer-Friendly)

November 11, 2023

Alberta in Harmony: Moving Mahler

Presented with Calgary Philharmonic Orchestra

Saturday, November 11 ● 7:30 PM


Digital Program Program Notes (Printer-Friendly)

November 2 & 4, 2023

Tchaikovsky & Mozart

ESO Classics

Thursday, November 2 ● 7:30 PM
Saturday, November 4 ● 7:30 PM


Digital Program Program Notes (Printer-Friendly)

November 3, 2023

Mozart & Delight

ESO Pairings

Friday, November 3 ● 8:00 PM


Digital Program Program Notes (Printer-Friendly)

October 31, 2023

Nosferatu

Live at the Winspear

Tuesday, October 31 ● 7:30 PM


Digital Program

October 27 - 29, 2023

The Magnificent Music of John Williams

ESO Robbins Pops

Friday, October 27 ● 7:30 PM
Saturday, October 28 ● 7:30 PM
Sunday, October 29 ● 2:00 PM


Digital Program

October 22, 2023

The Hockey Sweater

Symphony for Kids presented by Imperial Oil

Sunday, October 22 ● 2:30 PM


Digital Program

October 12 & 13, 2023

Bill Eddins Plays Bach

ESO Classics

Thursday, October 12 ● 7:30 PM
Friday, October 13 ● 7:30 PM


Digital Program Program Notes (Printer-Friendly)

October 4 & 5, 2023

Hans Zimmer: Phenomenal Film Scores

ESO Special sponsored by ATB Wealth

Wednesday, October 4 ● 7:30 PM
Thursday, October 5 ● 7:30 PM


Digital Program

September 1 & 2, 2023

Disney in Concert A Dream is a Wish

Symphony In The Square, sponsored by Station Lands

Friday, September 1 ● 7:00 PM
Saturday, September 2 ● 7:00 PM


Digital Program

August 25 & 26, 2023

Beethoven, Mozart & Mendelssohn

Symphony At Snow Valley, Presented by RE/MAX

Friday, August 25 ● 7:00 PM
Saturday, August 26 ● 2:00 PM


Digital Program Program Notes (Printer-Friendly)

August 24 & 26, 2023

Summer Favourites

Symphony At Snow Valley, Presented by RE/MAX

Thursday, August 24 ● 7:00 PM
Saturday, August 26 ● 7:00 PM


Digital Program

August 17, 18, 19, 20 & 27, 2023

ESO Outdoors

Presented by Qualico Communities

Pavilion at Heritage Park, Stony Plain
August 27 ● 2:00 PM

Digital Program

Four Seasons Park, Beaumont
August 20 ● 2:00 PM

Digital Program

Legacy Park, Fort Saskatchewan
August 19 ● 7:00 PM

Digital Program

Centennial Park, Devon
August 17 ● 7:00 PM

Digital Program


June 16, 2023

Murdoch Mysteries in Concert

ESO Special Sponsored by ATB Wealth

Friday, June 16, 2023 ● 7:30 PM


Digital Program

June 14, 2023

Thorgy and the Thorchestra II: The Regal Sequel

ESO Special

Wednesday, June 14, 2023 ● 7:30 PM


Digital Program

June 9 - 11, 2023

Tchaikovsky & Bruch: Romantic Favourites

ESO Classics

Friday, June 9th ● 7:30 PM
Saturday, June 10th ● 7:30 PM
Sunday, June 11th ● 2:00 PM


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June 2 - 4, 2023

Great Hollywood Adventures

ESO Robbins Pops

Friday, June 2nd ● 7:30 PM
Saturday, June 3rd ● 7:30 PM
Sunday, June 4th ● 2:00 PM


Digital Program

May 25, 2023

From Bach to Price: A Spring Organ Recital

Live At The Winspear

Thursday, May 25th, 2023 ● 7:30 PM


Digital Program

May 19, 2023

Dark Patterns

ESO New Music

Friday, May 19, 2023 ● 7:30 PM


Digital Program Program Notes (Printer-Friendly)

May 13, 2023

Charlot & Mlle Cello

Symphony for Kids
presented by Imperial Oil

Saturday, May 13, 2023 ● 2:30 PM


Digital Program

May 4 & 6, 2023

An Ode to Joy: Beethoven's 9th

ESO Classics

Thursday, May 4, 2023 ● 7:30 PM
Saturday, May 6, 2023 ● 7:30 PM


Digital Program Program Notes (Printer-Friendly)

May 5, 2023

Beethoven & Joy

ESO Pairings

Friday, May 5, 2023 ● 7:30 PM


Digital Program Program Notes (Printer-Friendly)

April 28 & 29, 2023

Sara Davis Buechner Plays Rachmaninoff 2

ESO Classics

Friday, April 28, 2023 ● 7:30 PM
Saturday, April 29, 2023 ● 7:30 PM


Digital Program Program Notes (Printer-Friendly)

April 20, 2023

Love is a Battle Field

ESO New Music

Thursday, April 20, 2023 ● 7:30 PM


Digital Program Program Notes (Printer-Friendly)

April 21 & 22, 2023

The Mambo Kings: Hot Latin Nights!

ESO Robbins Pops

Friday, April 21, 2023 ● 7:30 PM
Saturday, April 22, 2023 ● 7:30 PM


Digital Program

April 15 & 16, 2023

Thrill of a Lifetime: A Special Concert for the Future

ESO Classics

Saturday, April 15, 2023 ● 7:30 PM
Sunday, April 16, 2023 ● 2:00 PM


Digital Program Program Notes (Printer-Friendly)

April 8, 2023

Portraits of Home

Live At The Winspear

Saturday, April 8, 2023 ● 8:00 PM


Digital Program

March 24 & 25, 2023

Warner Bros. Presents Bugs Bunny at the Symphony

ESO Special Presented By ATB Wealth

Friday, March 24, 2023 ● 7:30 PM
Saturday, March 25, 2023 ● 2:00 PM
Saturday, March 25, 2023 ● 7:30 PM


Digital Program

March 21, 2023

Country Hits: Songs from Nashville

ESO Special Presented By ATB Wealth

Tuesday, March 21, 2023 ● 7:30 PM


Digital Program

March 16 & 18, 2023

Dvořák & Shostakovich

ESO Classics

Thursday, March 16, 2023 ● 7:30 PM
Saturday, March 18, 2023 ● 7:30 PM


Digital Program Program Notes (Printer-Friendly)

March 17, 2023

Shostakovich & Cello

ESO Pairings

Friday, March 17, 2023 ● 8:00 PM


Digital Program Program Notes (Printer-Friendly)

March 9 - 11, 2023

The Power of the Orchestra: An ESO Showcase

ESO Robbins Pops

Thursday, March 9, 2023 ● 2:00 PM
Friday, March 10, 2023 ● 7:30 PM
Saturday, March 11, 2023 ● 7:30 PM


Digital Program

March 3 - 5, 2023

Saint-Saëns' Organ Symphony: Majesty & Poetry

ESO Classics

Friday, March 3, 2023 ● 7:30 PM
Saturday, March 4, 2023 ● 7:30 PM
Sunday, March 5, 2023 ● 2:00 PM


Digital Program Program Notes (Printer-Friendly)

February 23 & 25, 2023

Elgar's Loves: Enigma Variations

ESO Classics

Thursday, February 23, 2023 ● 7:30 PM
Saturday, February 25, 2023 ● 7:30 PM


Digital Program Program Notes (Printer-Friendly)

Friday, February 24, 2023

Elgar & Mystery

Pairings

Friday, February 24, 2023 ● 8:00 PM


Digital Program Program Notes (Printer-Friendly)

February 18, 2023

Beethoven Lives Upstairs

Family Day Weekend Special

Saturday, February 18, 2023 ● 1:30 PM
Saturday, February 18, 2023 ● 4:30 PM


Digital Program

February 10 - 12, 2023

Spring with Copland & Schumann: Musical Awakenings

ESO Classics

Friday, February 10, 2023 • 7:30 PM
Saturday, February 11, 2023 • 7:30 PM
Sunday, February 12, 2023 • 2:00 PM


Digital Program Program Notes (Printer-Friendly)

February 2 & 4, 2023

Bourbon Street Parade with Michael Kaeshammer

ESO Pops

Thursday, February 2, 2023 • 7:30 PM
Saturday, February 4, 2023 • 7:30 PM


Digital Program

January 27, 2023

Hymn

ESO New Music

Friday, January 27, 2023 • 7:30 PM


Digital Program Program Notes (Printer-Friendly)

January 29, 2023

Heavenly Mozart

Symphony for Kids presented by Imperial Oil

Sunday, January 29, 2023 • 2:30 PM


Digital Program

January 19 & 21, 2023

Brahms' First Piano Concerto

ESO Classics

Thursday, January 19, 2023 • 7:30 PM
Saturday, January 21, 2023 • 7:30 PM


Digital Program Program Notes (Printer-Friendly)

January 20, 2023

Tchaikovsky & Shakespeare

ESO Pairings

Friday, January 20, 2023 • 7:30 PM


Digital Program Program Notes (Printer-Friendly)

December 28 & 29, 2022

Hollywood for the Holidays

ESO Special Presented by RE/MAX

Wednesday, December 28, 2022 • 7:30 PM
Thursday, December 29, 2022 • 7:30 PM


Digital Program

December 22 & 23, 2022

A Lightly Classical Christmas

Robbins Christmas At the Winspear Special

Thursday, December 22, 2022 • 7:30 PM
Friday, December 23, 2022 • 7:30 PM


Digital Program

December 16-18, 2022

A Very Merry Pops

Robbins Christmas At the Winspear Pops

Friday, December 16, 2022 • 7:30 PM
Saturday, December 17, 2022 • 7:30 PM
Sunday, December 18, 2022 • 2:00 PM


Digital Program

December 9 & 10, 2022

Handel's Messiah

Robbins Christmas At the Winspear Special

Friday, December 9, 2022 • 7:30 PM
Saturday, December 10, 2022 • 7:30 PM


Digital Program
Program Notes (Printer-Friendly) Messiah Texts (Printer-Friendly)

November 25 & 26, 2022

Celtic Adventures with the McDades

ESO Robbins Pops

Friday, November 25, 2022 • 7:30 PM
Saturday, November 26, 2022 • 7:30 PM


Read Program Notes

November 17 & 19, 2022

Trip to Vienna & Prague

ESO Classics

Thursday, November 17, 2022 • 7:30 PM
Saturday, November 19, 2022 • 7:30 PM


Read Program Notes

Thursday, November 10, 2022

Dream

ESO New Music

Thursday, November 10, 2022 • 7:30 PM


Read Program Notes

Saturday, November 12, 2022

The Music of Vaughan Williams

Presented by ESO & Richard Eaton Singers

Saturday, November 12, 2022 • 7:30 PM


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November 4 - 6, 2022

Stern Conducts Grieg & Stravinsky: Magical Musical Tales

ESO Classics

Friday, November 4, 2022 • 7:30 PM
Saturday, November 5, 2022 • 7:30 PM
Sunday, November 6, 2022 • 2:00 PM


Read Program Notes

Monday, October 31, 2022

The Phantom of the Opera

Live At The Winspear

Monday, October 31, 2022 • 7:30 PM


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October 27 & 29, 2022

Classical Mystery Tour: The Best of the Beatles

ESO Robbins Pops

Thursday, October 27, 2022 • 7:30 PM
Saturday, October 29, 2022 • 2:00 PM
Saturday, October 29, 2022 • 7:30 PM


Read Program Notes

Sunday, October 23, 2022

The Composer is Here

ESO: Symphony For Kids

Sunday, October 23, 2022 • 2:30 PM


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October 13 & 14, 2022

Bach, Vivaldi & Fireworks: The Joy of Baroque

ESO Classics

Thursday, October 13, 2022 • 7:30 PM
Friday, October 14, 2022 • 7:30 PM


Read Program Notes

October 7 & 8, 2022
The Music of Star Wars
ESO Special Presented By ATB Wealth

Friday, October 7, 2022 • 7:30 PM
Saturday, October 8, 2022 • 7:30 PM


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September 1 & 3, 2022
Hollywood Hits
Symphony Under The Sky

Thursday, September 1, 2022 • 7:00 PM
Saturday, September 3, 2022 • 7:00 PM


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September 2 & 4, 2022
Festival Favourites
Symphony Under The Sky

Friday, September 2, 2022 • 7:00 PM
Sunday, September 4, 2022 • 2:00 PM


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June 17 & 18, 2022
Prior Conducts Tchaikovsky
ESO Great Symphonies Presented by Lexus of Edmonton

Friday, June 17, 2022 • 7:30 PM
Saturday, June 18, 2022 • 7:30 PM


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June 12, 2022
The Carnival of the Animals
ESO Symphony For Kids presented by Imperial Oil

Sunday, June 12, 2022 • 1:30 PM
Sunday, June 12, 2022 • 4:00 PM


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June 3 & 4, 2022
Rachmaninoff & Dvořák
ESO Great Symphonies Presented by Lexus of Edmonton

Friday, June 3, 2022 • 7:30 PM
Saturday, June 4, 2022 • 7:30 PM


Read Program Notes

May 21-28, 2022
ESO Special
The Magical Music of Harry Potter
Matinée performances Presented by Imperial Oil

Saturday, May 21, 2022 • 7:30 PM
Sunday, May 22, 2022 • 2:30 PM
Sunday, May 22, 2022 • 7:30 PM
Friday, May 27, 2022 • 7:30 PM
Saturday, May 28, 2022 • 2:30 PM


Read Program Notes

May 12-14, 2022
ATB Wealth Presents
Cowboy Celtic Meets the ESO
ESO Pops

Thursday, May 12, 2022 • 2:30 PM
Friday, May 13, 2022 • 7:30 PM
Saturday, May 14, 2022 • 7:30 PM


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May 5 & 6, 2022
Brahms & Prokofiev
Presented by Quikcard
ESO Great Symphonies Presented by Lexus of Edmonton

Thursday, May 5, 2022 • 7:30 PM
Friday, May 6, 2022 • 7:30 PM


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Watch Prelude Video

April 29, 2022
Glass
ESO New Music

Friday, April 29, 2022 • 7:30 PM


Read Program Notes

April 20-24, 2022
ATB Wealth Presents
John Williams' Greatest Hits
(ESO Special)

Wednesday, April 20, 2022 • 7:30 PM
Thursday, April 21, 2022 • 7:30 PM
Friday, April 22, 2022 • 7:30 PM
Saturday, April 23, 2022 • 2:30 PM
Saturday, April 23, 2022 • 7:30 PM
Sunday, April 24, 2022 • 2:30 PM


Read Program Notes

March 24 & 26, 2022
Prior Conducts Sibelius
ESO Great Symphonies presented by Lexus of Edmonton

Thursday, March 24, 2022 • 7:30 PM
Saturday, March 26, 2022 • 7:30 PM


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March 10 & 11, 2022
Tchaikovsky & Beethoven
ESO Great Symphonies presented by Lexus of Edmonton

Thursday, March 10, 2022 • 7:30 PM
Friday, March 11, 2022 • 2:30 PM
Friday, March 11, 2022 • 7:30 PM


Read Program Notes

March 3 & 5, 2022
PJ Perry Plays Charlie Parker with Strings


Thursday March 3, 2022 • 7:30 PM
Saturday March 5, 2022 • 2:30 PM
Saturday March 5, 2022 • 7:30 PM


Program Notes

February 25 & 26, 2022
Beethoven's 5th
Presented by Quikcard
ESO Great Symphonies presented by Lexus of Edmonton

Friday, February 25, 2022 • 7:30 PM
Saturday, February 26, 2022 • 2:30 PM
Saturday, February 26, 2022 • 7:30 PM


Program Notes

February 18 & 19, 2022
That's Entertainment!
Celebrating the Hollywood Film Musical

Friday, February 18, 2022 • 7:30 PM
Saturday, February 19, 2022 • 7:30 PM


Program Notes

December 28 - 30, 2021
Hollywood For The Holidays

Tuesday, December 28, 2021 • 7:30 PM
Wednesday, December 29, 2021 • 2:30 PM
Wednesday, December 29, 2021 • 7:30 PM
Thursday, December 30, 2021 • 7:30 PM


Program Notes

December 17 - 23, 2021
A Traditional Christmas
Presented by Londonderry

Friday, December 17, 2021 • 7:30 PM
Saturday, December 18, 2021 • 2:30 PM
Tuesday, December 21, 2021 • 2:30 PM
Thursday, December 23, 2021 • 2:30 PM
Thursday, December 23, 2021 • 7:30 PM


Program Notes

December 18 - 22, 2021
Holiday Magic
Presented by ATB Wealth

Saturday, December 18, 2021 • 7:30 PM
Sunday, December 19, 2021 • 2:30 PM
Tuesday, December 21, 2021 • 7:30 PM
Wednesday, December 22, 2021 • 2:30 PM
Wednesday, December 22, 2021 • 7:30 PM


Program Notes

December 3 & 4, 2021
Handel's Messiah
Presented by Edmonton Symphony Orchestra & Richard Eaton Singers

Friday, December 3, 2021 • 7:30 PM
Saturday, December 4, 2021 • 7:30 PM


Program Notes

November 25 - 27, 2021
The Four Seasons & The Magic Flute
Presented by Quikcard

Thursday, November 25 • 7:30 PM
Friday, November 26 • 7:30 PM
Saturday, November 27 • 7:30 PM


Program Notes

November 19, 2021
Arrival
New Music

Friday, November 19 • 7:30 PM

Program Notes

November 13, 2021
Peter and the Wolf
Presented by Imperial Oil
(Symphony For Kids)

Saturday, November 13 • 10:30 AM
Saturday, November 13 • 2:30 PM

Program Notes

November 5 & 6, 2021
Mozart & Trumpet
Great Symphonies

Friday, November 5 • 7:30 PM
Saturday, November 6 • 2:30 PM
Saturday, November 6 • 7:30 PM

Program Notes

October 27 - 30, 2021
Rivers Wide:
From Swanee to sîpiy
(ᓰᐱᕀ)

Pops

Wednesday, October 27 • 7:30 PM
Friday, October 29 • 7:30 PM
Saturday, October 30 • 2:30 PM
Saturday, October 30 • 7:30 PM

Program Notes

October 21 & 23, 2021
Beethoven, Vivaldi & Shostakovich
Great Symphonies

Thursday, October 21 • 7:30 PM
Saturday, October 23 • 2:30 PM
Saturday, October 23 • 7:30 PM

Program Notes

October 7 - 9, 2021
Tangos, Romance, and Jealousy
Pops

Thursday, October 7 • 7:30 PM
Friday, October 8 • 2:30 PM
Saturday, October 9 • 7:30 PM

Program Notes


October 1 - 3, 2021
Haydn, Bach & Wagner
Great Symphonies

Friday, October 1 • 7:30 PM
Saturday, October 2 • 7:30 PM
Sunday, October 3 • 2:30 PM

Program Notes