Vibrant Light

Season 93 Deep Dive

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CEO and Creative Producer Mark Turner took some time to chat all about the SSO’s 93rd season!

 

You can subscribe today by going to our Season 93 page. Click on the Order Form button and select all your favourite concerts! Need more information? You can send an email to subscriptions@saskatoonsymphony.org, give us a call at 306-665-6414, or come visit our office!

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All donations made by May 31st are matched by the Frank & Ellen Remai Foundation.

Tabla Concerto

A note from composer Dinuk Wijeratne about his Tabla Concerto:

1. Canons, Circles
2. Folk song: ‘White in the moon the long road lies
(that leads me from my love)’
3. Garland of Gems

While the origins of the Tabla are somewhat obscure, it is evident that this ‘king’ of Indian percussion instruments has achieved global popularity for the richness of its timbre, and for the virtuosity of a rhythmically complex repertoire that cannot be separated from the instrument itself. In writing a large-scale work for Tabla and Symphony Orchestra, it is my hope to allow each entity to preserve its own aesthetic. Perhaps, at the same time, the stage will be set for some new discoveries.

While steeped in tradition, the Tabla lends itself heartily to innovation, and has shown its cultural versatility as an increasingly sought-after instrument in contemporary Western contexts such as Pop, Film Music, and World Music Fusion. This notion led me to conceive of an opening movement that would do the not-so-obvious by placing the Tabla first in a decidedly non-Indian context. Here, initiated by a quasi-Baroque canon in four parts, the music quickly turns into an evocation of one my favourite genres of electronic music: ‘Drum-&-Bass’, characterised by rapid ‘breakbeat’ rhythms in the percussion. Of course, there are some North-Indian Classical musical elements present. The whole makes for a rather bizarre stew that reflects globalisation, for better or worse!

A brief second movement becomes a short respite from the energy of the outer movements, and offers a perspective of the Tabla as accompanist in the lyrical world of Indian folk-song. Set in ‘dheepchandhi’, a rhythmic cycle of 14 beats, the gently lilting gait of theTabla rhythm supports various melodic fragments that come together to form an ephemeral love-song.

Typically, a Tabla player concluding a solo recital would do so by presenting a sequence of short, fixed (non-improvised) compositions from his/her repertoire. Each mini-composition, multi-faceted as a little gem, would often be presented first in the form of a vocal recitation. The traditional accompaniment would consist of a drone as well as a looping melody outlining the time cycle – a ‘nagma’ – against which the soloist would weave rhythmically intricate patterns of tension and release. I wanted to offer my own take on a such a recital finale, with the caveat that the orchestra is no bystander. In this movement, it is spurred on by the soloist to share in some of the rhythmic complexity. The whole movement is set in ‘teentaal’, or 16-beat cycle, and in another departure from the traditional norm, my nagma kaleidoscopically changes colour from start to finish. I am indebted to Ed Hanley for helping me choose several ‘gems’ from the Tabla repertoire, although we have certainly had our own fun in tweaking a few, not to mention composing a couple from scratch.

© Dinuk Wijeratne 2011

 

“The piece is fantastic, complex, and brilliant. The orchestration and solo writing are masterful. I didn’t think one could pull off [such] a concerto, but Dinuk did. I don’t know of anything like it. The audience went crazy after it for good reason.”– John Corigliano

“This is simply the best Western Classical piece written for my instrument”– Sandeep Das, Grammy-winning tabla player; Yo Yo Ma’s Silk Road Ensemble

“Dinuk Wijeratne’s Tabla Concerto is a breath of fresh air in the repertoire – a vibrant, colourful piece that orchestras love to play, and audiences will never forget.”– JoAnn Falletta, Music Director: Buffalo Philharmonic Orchestra & Virginia Symphony Orchestra; Principal Conductor: the Ulster Orchestra

“Dinuk is one of the most gifted musicians I know. His Tabla Concerto is a pioneering work of musical fusion, a seamless integration of the most complex aspects of North Indian Classical Tabla music into a totally Western model.”– Bernhard Gueller, Music Director: Symphony Nova Scotia

“Dinuk Wijeratne’s Tabla Concerto is a fresh, engaging, cross-cultural, embracing and original piece, which blends cultures marvellously. Combined with Sandeep Das’ virtuosity and energy as soloist, the concerto delighted both audience and orchestra at its US premieres. To include tabla recitation in the last movement was a stroke of genius.”– Alastair Willis, Music Director: Illinois Symphony Orchestra

“Dinuk’s Concerto for Tabla and Orchestra is utterly spectacular. From the moment it begins, you are drawn into an evocative world where cultures have no barriers, and co-exist in a way that is completely natural. Add to that a high octane, colourful score and everyone…musicians, audience, conductor…all leave excited and looking for more!”– Robert Franz, Music Director: Windsor Symphony Orchestra, Boise Philharmonic

Tabla 101

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Our featured Vibrant Light soloist Shawn Mativetsky is a course lecturer at the Schulich School of Music.  He was a part of Shulich’s Short Form Studies and created a guide that takes you through rhythmic applications inspired by the music of North India. It begins with an introduction to the tabla and includes a permutation exercise to include in your practice sessions!

It’s a great introduction to the tabla and a sneak peek into what we will experience with Dinuk Wijeratne’s Tabla Concerto.

 

2-for-1 Subscriptions

So you buy tickets to our shows every once in a while, and you’re ready for more. As a new subscriber, you are eligible for 2-for-1 subscription packages!

Any new subscribers can buy one full series (Masters or Pops) and get the second free.

Our Masters Series:

 

Our Pops Series:

Not ready to commit to a full series? It only takes 4 shows to start a subscription package to qualify for the subscriber discount. Explore  Season 93 and choose your shows today.

You can fill out an online form any time, or give us a call at our office at 306-665-6414 to subscribe.

Music Talk – Vibrant Light

 

We’re going live from the travel section of McNally Robinson Booksellers for Music Talk from McNally! The SSO’s Mark Turner is joined by conductor and composer Dinuk Wijeratne who leads the SSO in Rimsky-Korsakov’s Scheherazade and his Concerto for Tabla and Orchestra which features Shawn Mativetsky. To read the full program, buy tickets, and find out more go to: https://saskatoonsymphony.org/event/v…

Taking Stock

It is a bit hard to believe that this coming fall marks my 10th season with the SSO. When I first took on this role, I took to our blog to share my vision for the future. But somewhere along the way I ran out of time to blog…a good problem to have because it was the result of incredible organizational growth. 

As I’ve watched our orchestra and our organization grow this season, I wanted to take time to take stock of what we’ve accomplished.

Since its launch, we’ve had more than thirty-five million minutes of viewing on the ConcertStream.tv platform. Read that again. 35 million minutes of viewing. Hundreds of thousands of people from 53 countries. From online subscribers to folks who watch our free content, what we’ve been able to do is share our music with more people. Unprecedented accessibility to the SSO has changed us forever.

This season, we’ve been the lucky ones to experience some of the most sensational performances Saskatoon has ever enjoyed. Whether you danced the night away at the Music of ABBA, laughed with the Muppets, were filled with joy at Handel’s Messiah, or had your breath taken away by Jan Lisiecki, I know you’ll agree that this season has felt like a golden age. 

The crowds have been incredible. Multiple sell-out concerts and full houses have left us feeling the love! Nothing beats the thrill of hearing the roar of the crowd. It’s been a season celebrating the exceptional talent that Saskatoon has to offer. With artistic partners like Ryan Davis and Danika Lorèn and performances with the Saskatoon Youth Orchestra, the SSO Chorus, the Greystone Singers, and Aurora Voce…those have been special moments that show this organization and community at its best. 

Then there’s been the profound performances from your SSO musicians. The orchestra, time and time again this season, have stepped up and shown how much a symphony can mean to its community. Whether lifting up homegrown talent, helping toddlers experience the joy of music, or performing alongside a legitimate musical superstar, the musicians of your orchestra have made us all proud.

It goes without saying that an orchestra needs its audience, I actually believe that the reverse is more true. The audience needs its orchestra. What an exciting thing to be able to go to a concert (or watch it on your phone!) and experience the thrill of an orchestra in full flight. It makes our community a better place to call home.

The multiplier effect of an orchestra is astonishing. Our musicians teach, mentor, and inspire students. Those students go on to be people who understand hard work, goal setting, perseverance, and the joy of complex music. The musicians on stage have influenced the lives of countless people across our province.

Our concerts change minds, burst with emotions and imagination, and lift us up out of day-to-day life.
From a child hearing the violin for the first time, to students in schools learning about the importance of living composers, to long-time subscribers hearing new sounds and falling in love with music all over again – the outcome is remarkable.

Orchestras are living, breathing, vital artistic beings that have an exponential impact in their communities. I cannot imagine Saskatoon, and indeed Saskatchewan, without their orchestras. 

This season isn’t without its challenges. The prairies are experiencing a crippling arts funding crisis. The value of music is shrinking in our education system, as it’s easy to ignore the continually growing body of evidence that musical literacy is crucial to a complete education and a student’s success. All arts organizations are feeling the deep effects and challenges of inflation. It’s hard work, and it’s worth it.

The SSO has come a long way – we’re not done. We’re focused on a robust future for music in Saskatoon, one that is filled with passion, innovation, and an ambitious plan for musical opportunities and accessibility. 

In the weeks ahead we have a fundraising campaign to finish. Our Opus 100: Share in the Future campaign crossed its first matching goal in December, and then the generosity of the Frank and Ellen Remai Foundation shone through and extended our matching to a goal of $500,000. To date, we’ve raised over $350,000 – giving us six more weeks to raise another $150,000 to meet our goal. 

I’ll come back to blogging to share my passion for the SSO, because it’s important for us to take stock of how much the SSO means and remind you how fiercely proud we should be.

See you at the symphony – soon,
Mark Turner
CEO and Creative Producer

Make a Donation

Join us at the Hub

The concert ends, you exit TCU Place, and you’re still brimming with excitement after such a fabulous evening. Where to next?

Cross the street and join us over at the Hub at Holiday Inn!

It’s the perfect place to grab a post-concert drink, and snack, alongside fellow SSO patrons, musicians, and the feature guest artists.

We have complimentary appetizers on a first come first-serve basis!

 

What’s happening at the Bassment

The Bassment is one of Canada’s premier jazz clubs and provides musicians of all skill levels a venue to showcase their talents in front of a live audience while accessing a variety of professional, concert-grade instruments. The club offers an intimate, personal concert space with a world-class stage for local, national, and international artists.

Here’s a sample of what’s happening next at The Bassment

Stephen Fearing
March 22, 2023

 

SONGWRITER SERIES • DOORS @ 6:30PM • SHOW @ 7:30PM

www.stephenfearing.ca

Stephen Fearing’s music is a mesmerizing blend of roots, folk, and pop. Co-founder of Canadian roots-rock supergroup Blackie and The Rodeo Kings, he is a beguiling teller of tales and a master guitarist who has delighted audiences throughout North America, the UK, and Europe. A multi-JUNO and Canadian Folk Music award winner, Stephen has collaborated with Bruce Cockburn, Rosanne Cash, Richard Thompson, Sarah McLachlan, Margo Timmins, Keb’ Mo’, and Suzie Vinnick.

Sponsored David’s Distinctive Men’s Apparel

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The Slocan Ramblers
March 27, 2023

BLUEGRASS SERIES • DOORS @ 6:30PM • RUSH SEATING

www.slocanramblers.com

The reigning champions of Canadian bluegrass, the Slocan Ramblers are back showcasing their unique blend of bluegrass, old-time, and folk. The band’s set list is marked by thoughtful songwriting, lightning fast-instrumentals, and sawdust-thick vocals.

This show will feature the Ramblers at the top of their game playing selections from their three previous releases and their latest album, Up the Hill and Through the Fog. Say hello to your new favourite band!

Sponsored by Northern Lights Bluegrass & Old Tyme Music Society

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Erin Propp and Larry Roy
April 1, 2023

JAZZ SINGER SERIES • DOORS @ 6:30PM • SHOW @ 7:30PM

www.erinpropp.com

https://erinpropplarryroy.bandcamp.com/album/we-want-all-the-same-things

Erin Propp (vocals) and Larry Roy (guitar) reach into the everyday and blur the edges, creating works that are deeply personal and achingly relatable. Erin and Larry’s musical abilities are tools of exacting expression, expertly honed. Their debut stunner, Courage, My Love, won Best Jazz Album of the Year at the 2013 Western Canadian Music Awards and a 2014 JUNO nomination for Vocal Jazz Album of the Year. Touring in support of their latest recording, We Want All The Same Things, Erin and Larry will be joined by Mark DeJong (sax) and Kodi Hutchinson (bass).

Sponsored David’s Distinctive Men’s Apparel

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Florian Hoefner Trio
April 22, 2023

PIANO SERIES • DOORS @ 6:30PM • SHOW @ 7:30PM

https://florian-hoefner.com

Born and raised in Germany, trained in New York, and now based in St. John’s, JUNO-nominated jazz pianist and composer Florian Hoefner draws from a myriad of influences that cumulate in his unique brand of modern jazz. His Canadian trio featuring Andrew Downing (bass) and Nick Fraser (drums) released its initial album, First Spring, in 2019. Featuring Florian’s arrangements of folk tunes from around the world, the album won Instrumental Recording of the Year and Jazz Recording of the Year at the 2020 East Coast Music Awards. The trio is touring Canada to promote its second release, Desert Bloom.

Sponsored David’s Distinctive Men’s Apparel

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Don Vappie & Jazz Créole
May 13, 2023

JAZZ TRAVELLERS SERIES • DOORS @ 6:30PM • SHOW @ 7:30PM • RUSH SEATING

www.stevedawson.ca

An award-winning Créole banjoist/vocalist, Don Vappie is the living embodiment of 300 years of the melting pot that is New Orleans music. Best known as the banjoist in Wynton Marsalis’s Jazz and the Lincoln Centre Orchestra, Don is also recognized for his nurturing approach to Créole culture and its preservation. Widely considered one of the best banjoists in the history of New Orleans, he’s kept alive the tradition of his predecessor Danny Barker and has been honoured with awards from Créole society for preserving this cultural treasure.

Jazz Créole combines all genres of New Orleans music, from traditional to modern-day funk, with the classic tradition of a string band. The group features three musicians from the UK band the Dime Notes: David Horniblow (clarinet), Dave Kelbie (guitar), and Tom Wheatley (bass). Don Vappie has received numerous acclamations from other musicians, including one from Iggy Pop: “He can start the party with his banjo. He sure can!”

Sponsored by David’s Distinctive Men’s Apparel

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