HAMILTON, ON – HPO musicians return to share works that reflect the warmth and optimism of spring in The Joy of Beethoven. This performance features chamber works for string quartet, woodwind quintet and brass quintet, offering a range of timbres and colours from across the orchestra.

First on the program is a string quartet arrangement by Concertmaster Stephen Sitarski of Beethoven’s Piano Sonata in F major, Op. 10 No. 2, performed by Stephen Sitarski, violin, Elizabeth Loewen Andrews, violin, Brandon Chui, viola, and Laura Jones, cello. This is followed by Composer-in Residence Abigail Richardson-Schulte’s woodwind quintet Emerge, a piece inspired by reflections on water. This work is performed by Principal Flute Leslie Newman, Nancy Nelson, oboe, Michele Verheul, clarinet, Melanie Eyers, Bassoon, and Neil Spaulding, horn. Grieg’s delightful String Quartet No. 2 is performed by Principal Second Violin Bethany Bergman, Suhashini Arulanandam, violin, Elsepth Thomson, viola, and Laura Jones, cello.

Stephen Sitarski conducts Thea Musgrave’s Ofero III, which offers an escape through an imaginative sound world. This work features Principal Flute Leslie Newman, Lyssa Pelton, violin, Philip Sarabura, violin, Principal Viola Chau Luk, Laura Jones, cello, and Principal Bass Rob Wolanski. To close the concert, the HPO Brass perform Jan Koetsier’s playful and warm Brass Quintet, Op.65. Performers of this work include Principal Trumpet Michael Fedyshyn, Mary Jay, trumpet, Principal Horn Jessie Brooks, Principal Trombone David Pell and Jen Stephen, tuba.

This performance is recorded at McMaster University’s L.R. Wilson Hall and produced in collaboration with our media partners at Hamilton-based Banko Media.

The Joy of Beethoven premieres on April 10, 2021 at 7:30pm and remains available for viewing for 30 days following its release. The Joy of Beethoven access can be purchased as a single broadcast or as part of a Flex Five subscription package. This concert replaces Vivaldi’s Four Seasons, originally scheduled to premiere online on February 20, 2021.Ticket holders who previously purchased Vivaldi’s Four Seasons will receive The Joy of Beethoven in its place.

 

The Joy of Beethoven
Premieres online April 10 2021 at 7:30pm EST
Available to view until May 9, 2021 at 11:59pm EST

Single broadcast: $27
Flex Five Subscription Package: $249

Tickets are available online at staginghpo.wpengine.com.

Twitter: @H_P_O
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YouTube: youtube.com/HamiltonPhilharmonic

About the HPO: 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 and enhance the quality of life for its residents.

 

Media Contacts:

Christina Volpini
Marketing and Communications Manager
Hamilton Philharmonic Orchestra
905.526.1677 x226
cvolpini@hpo.org

Megan Nourse
Communications and Outreach Assistant
Hamilton Philharmonic Orchestra
905.526.1677 x211
mnourse@hpo.org