Two of Calgary’s finest musicians join the Calgary Civic Symphony for an afternoon of classical mastery. On Sunday, February 25, 2024, at the Jack Singer Concert Hall, Arts Commons, audiences will be treated to the works of Mozart and Mahler, expertly guided by the skilled baton of conductor Rolf Bertsch.
At the heart of this captivating collaboration stands Slavko Popovic, renowned principal clarinetist of the Calgary Philharmonic Orchestra. Popovic will showcase his brilliance and poetry as he takes centre stage to perform Mozart's only Clarinet Concerto.
Composed in 1791, just a few short months before Mozart’s death, this concerto marked his farewell to instrumental music. Regarded as his swan-song, this cheery yet graceful concerto is imbued with a profound creative mastery and emotional depth.
Following this iconic work, audiences will be transported into the world of Gustav Mahler's Symphony No. 4, a jewel of the orchestral repertoire. Known for its intimacy and introspective beauty, Mahler's Fourth Symphony offers a profound exploration of life's mysteries, infused with innocence and transcendence.
According to Mahler’s wife Alma, the second movement was inspired by the Swiss painter Arnold Böcklin’s work, Self-Portrait with Death Playing the Fiddle (1872). In the portrait, you see the artist with Death personified as a skeleton playing the violin, lurking over their shoulder and whispering in their ear. Mahler portrayed violin-playing Death via the concertmaster’s instrument, using a second violin with scordatura tuning. The violin is tuned up a whole step higher to produce a tense, bright, and unusual edgy tone, portraying a spooky dance with Death.
As the symphony unfolds, listeners will then be enraptured by the ethereal vocals of Canadian soprano Lauren Woods, whose sublime portrayal of Heaven through the innocent eyes of a child promises to leave a lasting impression.
This performance offers a unique opportunity to witness two of Calgary's musical luminaries. With Popovic's masterful interpretation of Mozart's concerto and Woods' angelic voice soaring alongside the orchestra, audiences are in for an unforgettable afternoon of musical delight.
"The Magic of Mozart & Mahler" takes place on Sunday, February 25, 2024, at 2:30 p.m.
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Established in 1975, the Calgary Civic Symphony has remained a cornerstone of the city's cultural landscape, enriching the community with live orchestral performances for over four decades. From its humble beginnings as a platform for non-professional and retired musicians, the Civic Symphony has evolved into a dynamic ensemble, renowned for its artistic excellence and commitment to musical diversity. With five distinct concerts each season, the Civic Symphony continues to captivate audiences and collaborate with some of Canada's most esteemed soloists and musical groups, ensuring that every performance is an unparalleled experience.
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