Edmonton Symphony Orchestra explores world class music

Say farewell to summer and hello to our colourful autumn with a spectacular blast of music from the Edmonton Symphony Orchestra.

The lively Bob Bernhardt, principal pops conductor of the Louisville Orchestra, returns to celebrate his 10th anniversary with ESO. He will stand on the podium and brandish the baton for two events that have delighted families and friends.

After a one-year absence from Hawrelak Park’s Heritage Amphitheatre, Symphony Under the Sky makes its comeback tomorrow for a four-night run. The repertoire is a clever blend of light classics, favourites from the pop catalogue and a few majestic classical works.

“I was a latecomer to Symphony Under the Sky. When I arrived it was already established. But from the first moment, I found an incredibly rich and potential filled weekend. I just feel that the variety is one of the big challenges, but it’s also a delight to introduce to children and friends,” said Bernhardt.

And on Sept. 4 and 5, Bernhardt reprises Symphony In the City held at Churchill Square. The repeat is in large part due to last year’s successful inaugural event.

Last year’s three open-air concerts were a chance for people to familiarize themselves with good music in a compact time frame that was extraordinarily affordable. More than 43,000 people attended.

“I was absolutely delighted and flabbergasted in the best sense of the word,” Bernhardt said. “The atmosphere was electric in a most positive sense. More than 12,000 people were sitting side by side on blankets and chairs. During the music their attention was rapt and intent.”

Symphony Under the Sky at Hawrelak Park kicks off with Songs from the ’70s, a trippy evening that relives folk-rock classics written by some of the world’s iconic songwriters – Gordon Lightfoot, Joni Mitchell, Neil Diamond, Carole King, Jim Croce, The Eagles and Cat Stevens to name a few.

“The ’60s was my wheelhouse. After the Beatles, the ’70s music was lighter, more carefree or they were message songs of the era trying to get across a philosophy or political view.”

Friday night counters with a night of the grand masters – Mozart’s Haffner Symphony, Beethoven’s only opera Lenore No. 3 and Rachmaninoff’s Third Piano Concerto.

“It’s considered by many pianists as one of the hardest to play. It’s a great challenge, but it is filled with a great lush, romantic sound. He was looking back to the romantic era. It’s wild and gloriously beautiful.”

Saturday brings out The Sound of Hollywood or as it’s been dubbed in the past as “movie night.” Expect to hear scores from Shane, High Noon, Toy Story, Pinocchio, Frozen and a Mancini medley of Audrey Hepburn movies.

Bernhardt brings in vocalist Tyler Hamilton, a former Sturgeon County resident and highly rated competitor on the former Canada’s Got Talent.

Sunday is Bob’s Favourites, a “potpourri of stuff,” a range of music from John Williams Olympic Spirit to the wild and woolly Hungarian dance Czardas and music from the opera Hansel and Gretel. Tchaikovsky’s traditional 1812 Overture closes the concert with a bang.

Instead, Symphony In the City is predicated strictly on family fun. This year’s Friday-Saturday night event is the great Disney classic Fantasia. As that magnificent blend of animation rolls on a huge screen, ESO musicians will play the magical score live.

“It’s a huge challenge. The movie will be shown on a huge screen behind us while the orchestra is on stage. That’s what’s the challenge – synchronizing the music to film. The movie and the orchestra are the stars of the show. It’s a true collaboration between animation and music.”

Churchill Square will also be loaded with activities for children – a fun zone, an instrument petting zoo, a photo booth, arts, crafts and other surprises.