Symphony Nova Scotia announces 2017/18 concert season

This afternoon Symphony Nova Scotia announced their upcoming 2017/18 season with a full orchestra preview of highlights, which include good ol' classics like Beethoven’s Ninth and Vivaldi’s Four Seasons to Halifax Pop Explosion's Ria Mae concert and The Music of David Bowie

“Our upcoming concerts include the sublime Brahms Violin Concerto and his First Piano Concerto, the majestic ‘Emperor’ Concerto by Beethoven, and the Cherubini Requiem–something I have wanted to conduct all my life," says Symphony Nova Scotia's music director Maestro Bernhard Gueller in a press release. This 2017/18 season marks Gueller's conclusion as director, having led the orchestra for almost 15 years.

A new music director search will take place this year, potential candidates appearing as conductors with the orchestra this season and a final decision announced in 2019. Gueller finishes his contract in May 2018, and will then become Symphony Nova Scotia's Conductor Laureate.

Highlights include:

MASTERWORKS SERIES:
The classical season opens with star violinist Giora Schmidt performing Brahms’ powerful Violin Concerto.
For the first time ever, a performance of Cherubini’s dramatic Requiem, in partnership with the internationally celebrated, Grammy Award-winning, 50-voice Estonian National Male Choir, RAM Koor.
Magnificent Mozart returns, with performances of all-Mozart works in Halifax and at Dartmouth’s Alderney Landing Theatre.
Partnerships with star Halifax musicians including cellist Denise Djokic, clarinetist Dominic Desautels, and trumpeter Richard Simoneau.
Two award-winning pianists perform two spectacular concertos: Honens Competition winner Luca Buratto performs Mozart’s Piano Concerto No. 23, and Chopin International Competition winner Charles Richard-Hamelin performs Chopin’s Piano Concerto No. 2.
A premiere of a new work from a Canadian woman composer through the Maria Anna Mozart Award – the first of its kind in Canada.
The finale of the season is an annual Festival, hear Beethoven’s “Emperor” Concerto and Brahms’ Piano Concerto No. 1, performed by one of the world’s top pianists, Marc-André Hamelin. Then, for the final concert with Gueller as Music Director, a performance of Beethoven’s monumental Symphony No. 9.

FUSION SERIES:
The Finnish vocal supergroup Rajaton returns for a three-concert celebration of the Music of ABBA.
Celebrate the smooth, rich music of Motown with three powerhouse local performers: Cyndi Cain, Owen “O’Sound” Lee, and Dutch Robinson.
After three sold-out concerts last season, “Piano Man” Jim Witter returns for a multimedia journey through the music of Simon and Garfunkel.
Nova Scotia’s own Ben Caplan brings a brand-new festive show in the tradition of Frank Sinatra and Nat King Cole.
Multi-award-winning, internationally beloved Matt Andersen performs.
Rising star Ria Mae joins SNS for the Halifax Pop Explosion.
Celebrate St. Patrick’s Day with Heather Rankin and Evans & Doherty.
Hear Gershwin’s grand, bombastic An American in Paris alongside a virtuoso performance from Halifax’s own Peter Allen in the million-selling hit Rhapsody in Blue.
Remember the inspirational life and music of David Bowie in a symphonic tribute featuring his all-time greatest hits. 


BAROQUE SERIES: (St. Andrew’s United Church)
The acclaimed Tafelmusik Baroque Orchestra returns to Halifax with its new multimedia concert experience: The Circle of Creation, celebrating the music and life of J.S. Bach.
Hear Vivaldi’s beloved Four Seasons alongside one of Handel’s dramatic Organ Concertos.
Baroque music specialist Jeanne Lamon leads the orchestra and the Vesuvius Ensemble in a concert exploring the passionate, sunny, and energetic music of southern Italy.
For the first time in over 15 years, Mozart’s delightful 1789 arrangement of Handel’s magnificent Messiah.

MORE:
The Free Family Series returns to Pier 21 with the Halifax Circus, the Maritime Bhangra Group, and Black Is Beautiful.
The internationally acclaimed Kronos Quartet performs a diverse and creative concert of new symphonic music.
SNS returns to Dartmouth’s Alderney Landing Theatre for the fifth year, with a repeat performance of Magnificent Mozart, a bonus Family Concert, and a free concert during Symphony Week (date to be confirmed).
A performance of The Nutcracker, Halifax’s favourite holiday tradition for over 25 years.
Partnership with Canada’s Ballet Jörgen for Anastasia, exploring the mystery of Russia’s 17-year-old Grand Duchess through live music and dance.

Full details on the 2017/18 season are available now at at symphonynovascotia.ca. Or, to request a print brochure by mail, please e-mail [email protected]. Ticket packages for the 2017/18 concerts are on sale now, and single tickets for all 2017/18 concerts will go on sale August 1.