Esprit Orchestra Presents THE RIVER, 1/30

The first Esprit Orchestra concert of 2011 features a wide variety of works, from a small gem to the humorous, to the broad and expansive. The first half of the concert features works all under 10 minutes each: José Evangelista's Symphonie minute; György Ligeti's Lux aeterna, sung by the Elmer Iseler Singers (this work is famous from the Kubrick film "2001: A Space Odyssey";) and Canadian composer Douglas Schmidt's Discouraged Passion, a humorous tale of a guy who's scared of his girlfriend's mother. Mr. Schmidt will fly in from Germany for this concert and will play the bandoneon in his own work. The second half of the concert features Georgian composer Giya Kancheli's expansive, 35- minute work Styx for viola, choir, and orchestra, featuring violist Teng Li and the Elmer Iseler Singers.

Both shores of the River Styx are conveyed through works that carry humorous, joyous musical outbursts as well as profound lamentations. Kancheli's tribute to his departed friends, the composers Schnittke and Terterian, features the viola as mediator between choir and orchestra. The two parties symbolise the River Styx as the means of transition between the kingdom of the dead and the world of the living. Kancheli's flowing, epic music depicts this transition perfectly. "The most surprising aspect of Kancheli's music", wrote his friend and colleague, Russian composer Alfred Schnittke, "is this curious gift of his that makes time seem as though it is suspended." One of the functions of the solo viola is to mediate between antagonistic extremes. "I think it's a masterpiece of 20th century choral writing," said Mr. Pauk in describing Styx's importance. Viola soloist Teng Li commented from the violist's perspective: "The Kancheli is very difficult and dramatic. I remember listening to the CD and I fell in love instantly! It was so powerful. Lots of sudden dynamic changes within a huge range - from extremely soft to beyond ‘loud as possible'. I must put a lot of different emotions into the piece, even while practicing, to make sure I get what Kancheli might have had in mind. I'm very excited to perform this work with Esprit!" The work is dedicated to Yuri Bashmet.

In 2004, Teng Li landed the Toronto Symphony Orchestra PrincipAl Viola position at the age of 21. She has given recitals and chamber music performances in Asia, Europe, and North America. Her performances have been broadcast in North America and Europe. She has collaborated with the Guarneri Quartet, and performed at Carnegie Hall's Weill Recital Hall. Teng is on faculty of the University of Toronto, the Conservatoire de Montreal, and the Morningside Music Bridge Festival in the summer in Calgary. Ms. Li currently performs on an Amati viola on loan from Dr. William Walters to the TSO.

Esprit Orchestra gratefully acknowledges Canada Council for the Arts, Ontario Arts Council, Toronto Arts Council, SOCAN Foundation, The Ontario Trillium Foundation, The Julie-Jiggs Foundation, and The Max Clarkson Family Foundation.

Future Esprit Orchestra dates:
March 6: "Inside Hana's Suitcase" on CBC Television, with original score by Alexina Louie and Alex Pauk, recorded by Esprit Orchestra

April 16: World premiere, Rhombus Media's comedic opera film "Politics is Cruel" (a.k.a. "Mulroney: The Opera"). Broadcast nation-wide at Cineplex Theatres as an addition to the Met Live in HD series. Larry Weinstein, Director; Dan Redican, Librettist; Alexina Louie, Composer; performed by Esprit Orchestra

May 12: New Wave Festival opens at the Drake Hotel

May 15: "Musical Offerings" at Koerner Hall, 8 PM; works by Sofia Gubaidulina, Alex Pauk, Chris Paul Harman, and Denis Gougeon

For more information, please visit www.espritorchestra.com or www.rcmusic.ca.

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