The ESO Brings Together the Best in Wine, Food and Music- January 30, 2009

The ESO brings the best of wine, food and music together in perfect harmony!

Flavours of BC’s Naramata Bench Wine Fundraiser

January 30, 2009- Tickets On-Sale Now!

Edmonton, AB … The Edmonton Symphony Orchestra (ESO) is pleased to invite you to their inaugural wine-tasting fundraiser- Flavours of BC’s Naramata Bench. On January 30, 2009- the ESO is hosting a celebration of fine wines featuring the best of Canada’s most in-demand wine region- BC’s Naramata Bench.

Representatives from 10 different wineries will be on hand to showcase their award-winning wines. Guests will be treated to an evening of fine food, wine, music, auctions and prizes with all proceeds going to support our Edmonton Symphony Orchestra.

Registration begins at 6:30pm on January 30^th. The Wine Tasting/Auction runs from 7:00-10:00pm.

Only 400 tickets are available for this fundraiser. Events tickets can be purchased through the Winspear Centre Box Office for $130 (agency fees apply). Tickets are on-sale now! A tax deductible receipt will be issued for a portion of the ticket cost.

All tickets purchased before December 25^th will be automatically entered into a draw for a pair of 6-pack Sampler Passes for the ESO’s 2009/10 concert season.

This ESO special event is made possible by the sponsorships of Naramata Bench, California Closets, Magic 99, Winspear Centre, Vines-Riverbend, Parcom Marketing, Corporate Copy, Avenue Magazine, and The Artworks.

For more information, please contact: Melayne Shankel, ESO Media Relations Manager.

Phone: (780)401-2532 or Melayne.Shankel@winspearcentre.com

For ticket purchases- please contact the Winspear Centre Box Office. Phone: (780)428-1414 or in-person at #4 Winston Churchill Square.

Denzal Sinclaire, PJ Perry and 14-year-old Sensation Nikki Yanofsky Share the Stage in Jazz Generations!

Three Generations of Jazz Musicians

Denzal Sinclaire, P.J. Perry

and 14-year-old sensation Nikki Yanofsky

share the stage for a fabulous evening of music alongside Bill Eddins, Tommy Banks and the ESO!

Tuesday, November 11^th- 7:30pm

Edmonton, AB … The Edmonton Symphony Orchestra (ESO) welcomes three Canadian jazz greats for a night of Jazz Generations. Denzal Sinclaire, and P.J. Perry are already familiar names to Edmonton jazz fans, and they're taking to the stage on November 11, 2008 to present a night of warm jazz by Charlie Parker, Duke Ellington, George Gershwin, and Doug Riley.

Joining these special guests is 14-year-old musical prodigy Nikki Yanofsky, a rising singing sensation. “There is a richness and maturity and a heart and an effortlessness that divas twice or three times her age would kill for,” says the Montréal Gazette. And the Globe and Mail says “The Montréal teenager has taste beyond her years and vocal chops to spare.” To hear more about Nikki visit this link http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=D-bumYe5mfA

Making her ESO debut, she joins ESO Music Director Bill Eddins in this one-night-only performance which also features Tommy Banks on piano.

Tickets for this performance range from $20-$65 (agency fees apply) Tickets are available through the Winspear Centre Box Office. This concert has amplified sound.

Media Sponsors: Magic 99 FM

Alberta Legend Ian Tyson Joins the ESO for a 75th Birthday Party!

The ESO wishes Happy Birthday to an Alberta legend!

Ian Tyson joins the orchestra for his 75^th Birthday Party

Wednesday, November 5^th – 7:30pm

Edmonton, AB … On November 5^th, the Edmonton Symphony Orchestra (ESO) says Happy Birthday to a true Canadian master. Ian Tyson joins the ESO for his 75^th birthday party complete with full orchestra, and many of his hits! A pioneer, a musical icon, an Alberta legend. Ian Tyson has proven himself to be one of a kind - authentic and durable.

The ESO honours the man who has inspired countless musicians, and who continues to make exceptional music. Joined by the ESO, guitarist Lee Worden, bassist Gordon Maxwell and conductor Claude Lapalme, ESO audiences will be treated to hits including MC Horses, Bill Kane, Land of the Shining Mountains, Summer’s Gone, La Primera and many many more!

This performance will be recorded by CBC Radio Two for subsequent national broadcast.

This performance is almost sold out! Choir loft seating has been opened for this event. Ticket prices for this performance range from $20 to $65 (agency fees apply). Tickets are available through the Winspear Centre Box Office.

Media Sponsor: CKUA Radio Network

Jack Everly Conducts the ESO in The Beat Goes On: Music of the Baby Boomers!

Robbins Pops:

The Beat Goes On with conductor Jack Everly, a stellar cast of vocalists and

the Music of the Baby Boomers!

Friday, October 31^st and Saturday, November 1^st- 8pm

Edmonton, AB…The Beat Goes On with conductor Jack Everly, the Edmonton Symphony Orchestra (ESO) and the Music of the Baby Boomers! Join Maestro Everly, and six incredible vocalists, as the ESO turns back the clock to the 1960s, when the "Fab Four" took the world by storm, the Beach Boys made summer "endless," and the Supremes put Motown on the map. Singers Joe Cassidy, Roy Chicas, Heath Calvert, N’Kenge, Kristine Reese, and Christian De Cicco help you reminisce with music from television and movie themes, as well as popular hits from the airwaves, including music by Burt Bacharach and Frankie Valli.

Ticket prices for this performance range from $24 to $79 (agency fees apply). Student and senior rush tickets are subject to availability and can be purchased two hours prior to performance time. Tickets are available through the Winspear Centre Box Office.

The next performance of the Robbins Pops takes place on December 5^th & 6^th with Edmonton favourite Robert Bernhardt conducting a Yuletide Celebration.

This series is generously supported by Bill & Mary Jo Robbins

Saturday, November 1^st is generously sponsored by Peterson Walker LLP

Media Sponsor: Magic 99 FM

Conductor Gregory Vajda Joins Pianist William Wolfram

Classic Landmarks Masters

Pianist William Wolfram joins

Conductor Gregory Vajda

For weekend performances straight from

The Russian Heart

October 17^th- 7:30pm, October 18^th- 8:00pm

Edmonton, AB … The Edmonton Symphony Orchestra (ESO) is pleased to welcome conductor Gregory Vajda (pronounced VOID-ah) for a program that features Russian masterpieces. Hailed as a “young titan” by the Montréal Gazette after conducting the Montréal Symphony, Maestro Vajda has fast become one of the most sought-after conductors on the international scene. He makes his ESO debut alongside pianist William Wolfram for Rachmaninoff’s Piano Concerto No. 1 in F-sharp minor. The weekend performances also include Tchaikovsky’s Symphony No. 4 in F minor and Kodály’s Dances of Marosszek.

Ticket prices for this performance range from $20-$69 (agency fees apply). Student and senior $20 rush tickets are on sale, subject to availability, two hours prior to performance time. Afterthoughts will feature conductor Gregory Vajda and pianist William Wolfram. Saturday evening’s 7:15 pm Symphony Prelude features conductor/pianist Michael Massey.

The next performance of The Masters takes place on November 15^th & 16^th with conductor Bill Eddins and violinist Livia Sohn.

This series is generously supported by Classic Landmarks Master Builder

Media Sponsor: CKUA Radio Network

The ESO Welcomes Back Finnish Vocal Sensations Rajaton for a Tribute to Queen!

The Music of Queen with the Edmonton Symphony Orchestra & Rajaton

Tuesday, October 14, 2008- 7:30pm

Edmonton, AB … The Edmonton Symphony Orchestra (ESO) is pleased to welcome back Finnish vocal sensation Rajaton. After dazzling their audience at their Winspear Centre debut in April, 2005, the Finnish a cappella group joined the ESO on June 10^th, 2008 for an exciting salute to ABBA. Fresh off the heels of that triumph, Rajaton returns to rock the ESO stage for another salute - this time, the towering power pop of Queen on Tuesday, October 14^th.

Edmonton audiences will be dancing in the aisles at the North American premiere of this Tribute performance. Rajaton will be performing classic Queen hits such as We Will Rock You, Somebody to Love, Another One Bites the Dust and many more.

Rajaton consists of Essi Wuorela (soprano), Virpi Moskari (soprano), Soila Sariola (alto), Jussi Chydenius (bass), Hannu Lepola (tenor), and Ahti Paunu (baritone). The group struck gold with their first-ever album with accompaniment - Rajaton sings ABBA, recorded with the Lahti Symphony. The album sold platinum in Finland, and has become a worldwide cult hit. Joining Rajaton and the ESO will be conductor Jaakko Kuusisto.

Tickets for this performance range from $36 to $53 (agency fees apply). Tickets are available through the Winspear Centre Box Office.

Media Sponsor: The Bear 100.3 FM

Conductor Rei Hotoda joins Pianist Katherine Chi!

Robbins Lighter Classics:

Conductor Rei Hotoda joins pianist Katherine Chi for some Great Moments from Great Piano Concertos

Thursday, October 9^th- 8:00pm

Edmonton, AB …The Edmonton Symphony Orchestra (ESO) presents a sumptuous evening of great moments from the world’s favourite piano concertos, featuring Calgary’s Katherine Chi at the keyboard. She will be joined by conductor and pianist Rei Hotoda, one of America’s most dynamic classical musicians. Ms. Hotoda conducts the ESO in a program that includes familiar movements from Beethoven’s “Emperor” Piano Concerto,Piano Concerto No. 21, plus piano concertos by Chopin, Brahms, and Saint-Saëns. Mozart’s

Ticket prices for this performance range from $20-$69 (agency fees apply). Student and senior $20 rush tickets are on sale, subject to availability, two hours prior to curtain time. The next performance in the Robbins Lighter Classics takes place on November 20^th featuring Buster Keaton’s silent film- The General- backed up by the ESO and the Davis Concert Organ!

This series is generously sponsored by Bill and Mary Jo Robbins

Bill Eddins is Joined by H.K. Gruber

Classic Landmarks Masters:

The ESO explores humanity's dark side with a little Man, Myth and Magic.

Bill Eddins conducts H.K Gruber's Frankenstien!!

October 3^rd – 7:30pm and October 4^th- 8:00pm

Edmonton, AB … The Edmonton Symphony Orchestra (ESO) explores humanity's dark side in an outrageous evening of musical storytelling, featuring narration by H.K. Gruber. Composer, conductor, chansonnier and double bass player, Gruber is one of the most well-known and well-loved figures in contemporary music, and yet he remains something of an enigma. His music remains refreshingly non-doctrinaire - a deceptively simple and darkly ironic idiom which often includes a heavy dose of black humour.

Bill Eddins conducts the weekend's performances which feature low-life criminals, the end of civilized society and an outlandish classic horror story - H.K. Gruber's Frankenstien!! Also featured is music from Bernard Herrmann's score to the classic film Fahrenheit 451, The Threepenny Opera Suite by Kurt Weill, and Ravel's lush Concerto in G, with Bill Eddins as soloist and conductor.

Ticket prices for this performance range from $20-$69 (agency fees apply). Student and senior $20 rush tickets are on sale, subject to availability, two hours prior to curtain time.

Afterthoughts will feature conductor Bill Eddins and H.K Gruber. Saturday evening's 7:15pm Symphony Prelude features ESO Music Resource D.T. Baker.

The next performance of The Masters takes place on October 17 and 18 with Conductor Gregory Vajda and Pianist William Wolfram.

This series is generously supported by Classic Landmarks Master Builder

Media Sponsor: CKUA Radio Network

uber's debut with the ESO.

Bill Eddins Leaves the Podium and Becomes Guest Soloist

Robbins Pops:

Bill Eddins leaves the podium and becomes the soloist for the First Night of the Pops!

Friday, September 26^th and Saturday, September 27^th – 8:00pm

Edmonton, AB …On September 26^th & 27^th, Edmonton Symphony Orchestra (ESO) Music Director Bill Eddins shows Edmonton audiences a different side of himself as the evening’s guest soloist. He shares the stage alongside symphony pops legend- Conductor Bruce Hangen, as the Robbins Pops season gets off to an impressive start, blending orchestral show-stoppers including Eddins at the piano in Gershwin’s Rhapsody in Blue. The Epsilon vocal quintet also makes an appearance in a medley of song hits from the Roaring Twenties. There’s also more music from Gershwin, as well as hits from Bernstein and Berlin.

Ticket prices for this performance range from $24 to $79 (agency fees apply). Student and senior rush tickets are subject to availability and can be purchased two hours prior to performance time. Tickets are available through the Winspear Centre Box Office.

The next performance of the Robbins Pops takes place on October 31^st and November 1^st and features conductor Jack Everly with music of the 1960s.

This series is generously supported by Bill & Mary Jo Robbins

Friday, September 26^th is generously sponsored by Sobeys

The Pointer Sisters, Canadian Jazz Greats, Ryders in the Sky and The Music of Billy Joel join the ESO's 08.09 Season!

The Pointer Sisters,

Denzal Sinclaire, Tommy Banks & PJ Perry,

Riders in the Sky and The Music of Billy Joel

join the stellar line up of Special ESO performances!

Tickets on-sale now!

Edmonton, AB… The Edmonton Symphony Orchestra (ESO) is pleased to announce four additions to the already spectacular line-up of special ESO performances. Throughout the 08.09 season the ESO offers a selection of special concerts in addition to the subscription series performances that appeal to a wide-range of audiences. Joining Rajaton Sings Queen (October 13), Ian Tyson’s 75^th Birthday Celebration (November 5), George Canyon: Home For Christmas (December 2), A Flicker of Night on a Christmas Night (December 16) and Handel’s Messiah (December 19, 20) are four stellar performances added to what is already going to be an exciting season!

On Tuesday November 11^th four Canadian Jazz greats come together for a night of Jazz Generations. Crooner Denzal Sinclaire, Senator Tommy Banks, and Edmonton Saxophonist PJ Perry join newcomer, 14-year-old Montreal native Nikki Yanofsky for a fabulous night of Jazz favourites and standards. Conducted by Bill Eddins - Tickets for this performance range from $20-$65 (agency fees apply).

On March 16, 2009- Don't miss the fun as the legendary Riders In the Sky gallop into Edmonton with guest conductor Steven Reineke to make some music The Cowboy Way. This wacky harmonizing quartet (featured in Toy Story 2) joins the ESO for an evening of rib ticklin’, knee slappin’ hijinks and hilarity. Don’t miss this chance to leave behind the frenzied pace of today's living and lose yourself in the romantic, comical and whimsical world of the singing cowboy. Riders in the Sky will keep you in stitches and provide a quick-paced evening of wholesome, family friendly entertainment. Tickets for this performance range from $20-$65 (agency fees apply)

The music continues that week when Michael Cavanaugh joins the ESO and Music Director Bill Eddins for The Music of Billy Joel on March 18. Michael Cavanaugh, who was personally selected by Billy Joel to star in the Broadway sensation Movin’ Out, belts out your “Piano Man” favorites like "Uptown Girl," "Scenes from an Italian Restaurant," "Only the Good Die Young" and "New York State of Mind." Michael also rolls out the hits of other rock legends like Elton John, The Who, and others. A little rock, a little romance, and a night to remember. Tickets for this performance range from $20-$65 (agency fees apply).

Last but definitely not least - the Grammy-award winning vocal trio the Pointer Sisters prove they still have plenty of soul as they bring their chart-topping hits including The Neutron Dance, Jump (For My Love) and the ubiquitous I’m So Excited to the Edmonton Symphony Orchestra. Bill Eddins conducts the May 22^nd & 23^rd performances that will be sure to get audiences movin’ and shakin’. Ticket prices for this performance range from $24-$79 (agency fees apply)

For a full listing of ESO concerts and for more information on ESO specials please visit www.edmontonsymphony.com

Tickets for all ESO performances are available now through the Winspear Centre Box Office.