Hétu requires little to no introduction to Canadian orchestras: his catalogue includes some 80 works, including symphonies, opera, choral and chamber music, and concertos for numerous instruments. NACO’s programs this February include an orchestral concert on February 8, led by music director Pinchas Zukerman, and featuring soloists Alain Trudel (trombone) and Nathalie Paulin (soprano). The major work on the program is Hétu’s Symphony No. 3, originally commissioned by the CBC for the CBC Vancouver Chamber Orchestra. The concert on February 9 features chamber music by Hétu and his teachers, performed by leading players from NACO in assorted configurations.

For more information about the celebration, please visit nac-cna.ca.

There’s also a robust section devoted to Jacques Hétu on the NAC’s Music Timeline on-line feature, which you can access here.

For more information about the conducting programming (led by Kenneth Kiesler and Pinchas Zukerman, and featuring the Orchestre de la francophonie and the National Arts Centre Orchestra), please visit nac-cna.ca. (English)

The application deadline is February 6, 2012.

December 15, 16 and 17, I Musici de Montreal (under the guest leadership of harpsichordist Joel Thiffault) presents a program of baroque and contemporary repertoire reflective of the season, as part of the orchestra’s series at Ogilvy’s. Among other delights, the program includes “Winter” from Vivaldi’s Four Seasons, a recent work by Michael Oesterle, and William Boyce’s Ode for the New Year 1756.

This Friday (December 16), the National Arts Centre Orchestra partners with composer/broadcaster/performer Andrew Craig, the Faith Chorale, and an impressive array of soloists that includes Jackie Richardson to present a Gospel Christmas Celebration.

This Friday night and Saturday afternoon (December 16 and 17), the Orchestre symphonique de Québec (led by Stéphane Laforest) presents La Grande Virée de Noel, featuring Gregory Charles, Marie-Josée Lord, Nicolas Pellerin and les Grands Hurleurs, and seven choirs from the region. The youth-oriented performances take place at the Pavillon de la Jeunesse at ExpoCité, and features not only seasonal carols but also a giant Karaoke and dance party with DJ Adam Doubleyou.

Saturday night (December 17), the Hamilton Philharmonic Orchestra (led by music director James Sommerville) presents a pair of seasonal programs featuring the internationally-renowned Toronto Mass Choir. There’s a shorter 2 p.m. concert, designed for families, as well as a full-length evening concert intended for an older audience.

December 17, the Lethbridge Symphony presents a traditional Christmas program with a twist: this year’s guest performers include not only the Bridge Bells bell ringing ensemble, but also Lethbridge’s MP (and a former member of the LSO violin section) Jim Hillyer, who will re-join the violin section for the evening. Speaking about the experience, Mr. Hillyer said, “I am looking forward to playing with the symphony once again. Over the years when I performed with the LSO I felt privileged to be able to get an inside seat for some amazing world class performances,” noting Elgar’s Cello Concerto, Tchaikovsky’s Violin Concerto, Gershwin’s Rhapsody in Blue, the Mozart Requiem, and Handel’s Messiah as particular highlights.

December 17 and 18, the Kamloops Symphony (led by Music Director Bruce Dunn) presents a pair of performances encapsulating what it describes as “a celebration of community that provides all the required ingredients for comfort and joy – stories, songs, young performers, warmth and fun!” Featured performers include soprano Carlene Wiebe (a member of the faculty of the Kamloops Symphony Music School), violist Madeleine Haynes (2011 winner of the Kamloops Symphony Award at the Kamloops Festival of the Performing Arts), baritone Aaron Durand, the KSO Chorus, and a number of students from the Kamloops Symphony Music School.

ADMINISTRATIVE/ADMINISTRATIF

AUDITIONS

Victoria Symphony
Section Violins
Application deadline/Date limite : January 24 janvier 2012

Vancouver Symphony Orchestra
Assistant Principal Bass / Assistant contrebasse solo
Application deadline/Date limite : January 9 janvier 2012

National Arts Centre Orchestra / Orchestre du centre national des arts
Associate Principal Cello / Violoncelle solo associé
Application deadline/Date limite : January 2 janvier 2012

I Musici de Montréal
Chef en résidence
Application deadline/Date limite : December 21 décembre 2011

The National Arts Centre Orchestra is in the final stages of an Atlantic Canada tour, and you can stay current with their adventures here (postings in both English and French).

Tafelmusik is in the middle of a tour of the US, including a return visit to New York’s Carnegie Hall. You can find Tafel cellist Alan Whear’s occasional blog postings here.

Congratulations to Montreal composer-conductor Stewart Grant, whose new Concerto for Flute, Oboe and String Orchestra was premiered by the Israel Chamber Orchestra in Tel Aviv last weekend.

It’s humbling to be in the presence of people who have given so much for the cause of orchestras, and a true honour to be able to thank these people in the presence of their friends and fans. Orchestras Canada would like to thank our colleagues at the National Arts Centre and the Hamilton Philharmonic for their willingness to host the presentations, and for doing so with such impeccable style:

For the National Arts Centre Orchestra:
Christopher Deacon, Peter Herrndorf, Stefani Truant

For the Hamilton Philharmonic Orchestra:
Annelisa Pedersen, Robin Marritt, Kari Hueber

Both programs will be preceded by a pre-concert chat, featuring Maclean’s writer Paul Wells and composer John Estacio.

For more information about the orchestra, please visit peisymphony.com.