Release Date: Monday, April 4, 2016

Hamilton, ON – The Hamilton Philharmonic Orchestra’s 2015-16 Season culminates with Tchaikovsky’s masterful Fourth Symphony and the world premiere of Abigail Richardson-Schulte’s Trumpet Concerto on Saturday, April 16 at 7:30pm at FirstOntario Concert Hall (formerly Hamilton Place).

Enjoy a program that pairs the 19th century works of Tchaikovsky and Elgar with contemporary music of today, featuring HPO’s own Principal Trumpet Michael Fedyshyn as soloist and led by guest conductor Eric Paetkau.

Paetkau is Music Director of the Saskatoon Symphony Orchestra and is also Founder and Music Director of the Toronto-based group of 27. Known for his intense musicality and artistic excellence, Paetkau has conducted many orchestras including the Calgary Philharmonic, Kitchener-Waterloo Symphony, Windsor Symphony and Les Violons du Roy, among others.

The evening begins with Elgar’s youthful Serenade for Strings, a piece that takes us back to some years before his breakthrough Enigma Variations. The personal favourite of his works, Serenade for Strings is one of Elgar’s earliest compositions to become part of the standard repertoire and remains one of his most popular pieces today.

Co-commissioned by the Hamilton Philharmonic Orchestra (HPO) and group of 27 chamber orchestra, with the support of the Ontario Arts Council, Richardson-Schulte’s Concerto for Trumpet and Orchestra is a 20 minute work written for HPO Principal Trumpet Michael Fedyshyn.

We often think of flashy fanfares but the trumpet is capable of much more. In this brand new work Richardson-Schulte gives us a chance to explore the character of the trumpet family, introducing a different solo trumpet with each movement. Audiences will enjoy the darker, lyrical sound of the flugelhorn, the warm and charming sound of the cornet, and the bright, nimble C trumpet. The piece also pays homage to the history of Canadian composition, embracing the Canadian lineage that Richardson-Schulte studied as a student and now programs and teaches today.

Michael shares, “It’s always a special thrill to premiere new music, but even more so when it’s something that’s been written especially for you! Abby’s piece is a wonderful exploration of the wide palette of colours, characters and moods that the trumpet (and its’ close relatives) can evoke, as well as a great conversation between the soloist and the orchestra. The writing grabbed me immediately by virtue of its honest and open nature, which mirrors the personality of the instrument itself in a lovely way. I can’t wait for the chance to let our audience hear what we’ve been working on.”

The 2015-16 Season comes to an end with one of the greatest standards of the romantic period, Tchaikovsky’s powerful and emotional Symphony No. 4. Inspired by Tchaikovsky’s own experience, the piece can be considered a “musical diary” that reflects the elevated highs and profound lows of the composer’s life. Tchaikovsky himself wrote, “There is not a single line in this Symphony that I have not felt in my whole being and that has not been a true echo of the soul.”

Ticket Information
Single tickets for Tchaikovsky’s Fourth are $23 to $67 (plus applicable taxes and fees) and children’s tickets (age 5 to 13) are only $10 (plus applicable taxes and fees). Tickets are available online at staginghpo.wpengine.com, by calling 905.526.7756 or in person at the HPO Box Office in FirstOntario Concert Hall (formerly Hamilton Place) at 10 MacNab Street South or FirstOntario Concert Hall (formerly Hamilton Place) Box Office the evening of the concert.

Special hpoGO tickets for the under 35 crowd are $17 (plus applicable taxes and fees) and can be purchased online, over the phone, or in person.  To receive special discounts and invitations to exclusive events, under 35 patrons can sign up for the hpoGO enewsletter online at staginghpo.wpengine.com.

HPO at the Library
In partnership with the Hamilton Public Library, this FREE program features HPO musicians and guest artists in an intimate community setting.

Friday, April 15, 12:45pm
Central Branch, Hamilton Public Library (55 York Blvd.)

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Media Contact:
Diana Weir, Director of Communications and Development | Tel: 905.526.1677 x230 | Email: dweir@hpo.org

The Hamilton Philharmonic Orchestra was founded in 1884 as The Hamilton Orchestral Society and grew to become one of Canada’s major professional orchestras. Today, the HPO is a leader in Hamilton’s robust arts community where it provides professional orchestral services and music education programs to address the needs of the community. The HPO continues to commission and premiere works and is one of the artistic jewels of the Hamilton area. The combined musical talents of its artists continue to enrich the community.