News & Updates
9/30/2008
Announcement-Alain Trudel appointed as Principal Guest Conductor
Victoria, BC – In his first appearance with the Victoria Symphony after been named Principal Guest Conductor, Alain Trudel will lead the opening concert of the Classics Series. Maestro Trudel will conduct performances of Beethoven’s Symphony No.1 and Coriolan Overture, Mendelssohn’s String Sinfonia No.1 and Arthur Rowe’s performance of Mendelssohn’s Piano Concerto No. 2. There will be one concert at the University of Victoria’s Farquhar Auditorium, October 5 at 2:30pm.
A highly regarded and popular conductor, Alain Trudel was unanimously chosen as Principal Guest Conductor by the Victoria Symphony orchestra musicians and music director Tania Miller. Through previous engagements Trudel has formed a close and personal relationship with the orchestra. He is a sought after Canadian conductor who brings excellent musicianship and leadership to the orchestra. Beginning in the 2009/2010 season, Maestro Trudel will conduct three concerts per season for two seasons. Trudel joins an impressive list of principal guest conductors for the Victoria Symphony including Kees Bakels, Janos Sandor, Bramwell Tovey and Yannick Nézet-Séguin.
“The Victoria Symphony is extraordinarily pleased to invite Alain Trudel to join us as Principal Guest Conductor. His wonderful musicianship and ability to communicate has garnered him deep respect from our orchestra and audience.” remarked Music Director Tania Miller.
Pianist Arthur Rowe joins Alain Trudel and the Victoria Symphony in the opening concert of the Classics series. Following a New York solo recital, The New York Times wrote: “The Canadian pianist Arthur Rowe made an immediate and positive impression...before eight bars had gone by, one knew he was capable of vigour without heaviness, energy without excess of drive. It was first-rate playing: a kind of execution tinglingly alive to the shape and contribution of each phrase.”
Rowe will be performing Mendelssohn’s Piano Concerto No.2. The first movement of this piece is full of driving, stylish themes. The second movement is one of Mendelssohn’s lovely patented slow movements and in the last movement, the piano takes charge, showing off the virtuosity of
the soloist.
Having previously held positions at The University of Iowa and The University of Western Ontario, Arthur Rowe now resides in Victoria, where he is Professor of Piano at The University of Victoria. This is the eighth time that Rowe has played with the Victoria Symphony and he exclaims: “(it is) wonderful to play in my hometown in front of friends, students and colleagues.”
Alain Trudel is the Principal Conductor of the CBC Radio Orchestra, Principal Guest Conductor for the Victoria Symphony and the Music Director and Conductor of l’orchestre symphonique de Laval. Alain Trudel also serves as Artistic Advisor to the Manitoba Chamber Orchestra. A gifted conductor Trudel is the latest recipient of the Heinz Unger award, the only award given to conductors in Canada.
Deeply committed to young musicians and music education Trudel was unanimously named conductor of the Toronto Symphony Youth Orchestra in 2004, will be conducting the National Youth Orchestra of Canada in the summer of 2009 and composed Charlotte and the Music Maker for family and school audiences.
First known as a trombone soloist Trudel has been a guest soloist with leading orchestras on five continents and is a recording artist both as a trombonist and conductor.
The Classics Series presents beloved music from the Baroque and Classical eras. Tania Miller leads the performance of Vivaldi’s ever popular Gloria and former music director and Principal Guest Conductor Kees Bakels is welcomed back to conduct Jamie Parker performing Mozart’s Piano Concerto No. 23. The series also highlights two principal musicians in the orchestra: Concertmaster Terence Tam and principal second violin Victoria Lindsay. Together with Tafelmusik’s Jeanne Lamon, Tam performs Bach’s Double Violin Concerto in the series finale.
The Victoria Symphony is Vancouver Island’s largest and most active arts organization offering its audiences 68 years of tradition, a commitment to fostering new music and a dedication to community involvement through music education. Showcasing the outstanding talents of its musicians and guest artists the Victoria Symphony’s 2008-2009 season offers a diverse and exciting line-up of over 50 concerts led by its vibrant Music Director Tania Miller.
Alain Trudel and Arthur Rowe perform with the Victoria Symphony at the University of Victoria Farquhar Auditorium on Sunday, October 5 at 2:30pm. Tickets from $28.50 to $47.50. Student and senior discounts available. Tickets can be purchased by calling 250.721.8480.
For complete programming details of the 2008-2009 season please visit www.victoriasymphony.ca.
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For more information and interviews contact:
Bethany Wilson
Director of Marketing & Development
bethany@victoriasymphony.ca
250-385-9771 x 233
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