KINDRED SPIRITS ORCHESTRA Kristian Alexander | Music Director

2012.2013 CONCERT SEASON Your guide to the best classical music concerts in Markham.

KSOrchestra.ca

KINDRED SPIRITS ORCHESTRA Kristian Alexander | Music Director

2012.2013 CONCERT SEASON Your guide to the best classical music concerts in Markham.

The 2012 | 2013 season offers an exhilarating variety of perspectives on the infinite world of classical music.

We will take you on a journey through one of the most exciting times in art history. Together, we will visit places that we’ve never seen before and will experience the complete spectrum of human emotions.

Become acquainted with timeless masterworks by Beethoven, Brahms, Schumann, Mendelssohn, Wagner, Tchaikovsky, and Mahler.

Share the passion and excitement of world-class artists who, together with the fabulous musicians of the Kindred Spirits Orchestra, will change your life for years to come.

Kristian Alexander | Music Director

Brahms’ mighty Fourth Saturday, October 27, 2012 Gala Opening Night p. 9 Handel’s glorious Messiah Saturday, December 15, 2012 Mozart’s orchestration p. 11 Beethoven, Schumann, Mendelssohn Saturday, February 16, 2013 Maxim Bernard | piano p. 13 Mahler’s Das Lied von der Erde Saturday, March 30, 2013 The Song of the Earth p. 15 Sibelius’ Violin concerto Sunday, May 5, 2013 Marc Djokic | violin p. 17

Mendelssohn’s “Reformation” Symphony Thursday, June 27, 2013 Darrett Zusko | piano p. 19

MINISTER’S INTRODUCTION

Honorable Michael Chan Minister for Tourism, Culture and Sport

On behalf of the Government of Ontario, I am pleased to welcome patrons to the 2012 Kindred Spirits Orchestra season. As a Minister of Tourism, Culture and Sport, I have the privilege of seeing how music enriches the lives of Ontarians. The arts help us build strong, vibrant and liveable communities across Ontario.

The Kindred Spirits Orchestra plays an important role in promoting arts and culture in Ontario through its outstanding musical performances. Our government appreciates the Orchestra’s commitment to exciting entertainment that inspires classical music lovers of all ages. I commend the talented performers and staff for their hard work and dedication. Please accept my best wishes for a most successful 2012 season.

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MAYOR’S INTRODUCTION

Frank Scarpitti Mayor of Markham

On behalf of Members of Council and the Town of Markham I am pleased to extend a warm and sincere welcome to the Kindred Spirits Orchestra as they begin their 2012 Season at the Markham Theatre. The development and support of the arts is important to our community and I commend the Kindred Spirits Orchestra for their efforts to inspire, uplift, educate and entertain their audiences through the power of music. Your efforts go a long way to developing an appreciation of all forms of music in our communities. As Mayor, I strongly believe that art and culture are the foundations of a livable community.

Kindred Spirits is changing lives through the gift of music. In addition to the concerts performed at the Markham Theatre the Orchestra is also involved in free education and community outreach programs providing young musicians with opportunities to develop their performing skill and play side-by-side with professional musicians. As Honourary Patron of the Kindred Spirits Orchestra, I am delighted to have this opportunity to extend my best wished for a successful and memorable season at the Markham Theatre for the Performing Arts.

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Performing with the Kindred Spirits Orchestra under the baton of Maestro Kristian Alexander was a wonderful experience. " Christina Petrowska-Quilico | pianist

The Kindred Spirits Orchestra plays an important role in promoting arts and culture in Ontario through its outstanding musical performances. Hon. Michael Chan | Ontario Minister of Culture

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2012 | 2013 SEASON SUBSCRIPTIONS What is a subscription? Subscription includes 3 or more concerts of your choice from the KSO main season. Save 20% off standard single tickets prices and if you are a full time student, or under 18, or over 65, save even more.

Easy ticket exchanges If your plans change you can contact us to exchange your tickets for another performance in the season. It’s a free service and exchanges can be made by phone, fax, mail, or in person, anytime up to 48 hours before the performance. You can also donate your ticket back to the KSO and we’ll send you a receipt for tax-deduction or arrange to pass your seat to a high school student, if you prefer.

Value Save as much as 20% off adult single ticket price and 35% if you are a full time student, or under 18, or over 65. You can also purchase an unlimited number of additional concert tickets at the discounted price.

Priority seating Book the best seats in the house before tickets go on sale to the general public in August.

Guaranteed seating Last season almost all of our concerts were sold-out. With guaranteed seats, you won't have to stand in box office lines, or risk missing a performance because of sold-out concerts.

Renewal privileges You can keep your seats for years to come or you can choose different seats when you renew.

Enjoy priority seating, exclusive benefits and

preferential prices.

"Kindred Spirits Orchestra plays an important role in promoting arts and culture in Ontario through their outstanding musical performances.” The Honourable Michael Chan Ontario Minister of culture

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”The performance of the Kindred Spirits Orchestra under the baton of Maestro Kristian Alexander was inspiring, powerful and transformational. The musicians were exhilarating and the audience moved. It was one of the most exciting performances I have seen in a while…” Jacques Israelievitch | former concertmaster of the Toronto Symphony Orchestra

SUBSCRIBE AND SAVE UP TO 35%. SEASON TICKETS START FROM AS LITTLE AS $42. CALL MARKHAM THEATRE AT 905.305.7469.

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Saturday, October 27, 2012 at 8:00 p.m. Opening Night Gala..t

BRAHMS’ MIGHTY FOURTH Wagner, Die Meistersinger von Nürnberg: Prelude to Act I “Imagination creates reality.” (Wagner)

1862 1864 1865 1866 1867 1868

Victor Hugo Pasteur invents Wagner Nobel invents Verdi “Les Misérables” pasteurisation “Tristan and Isolde” dynamite “Don Carlos”

Inspiration Keywords

Nuremberg Hans Sachs Schopenhauer Martin Luther

Mendelssohn, Concerto for violin and orchestra, Op. 64 Brahms, Symphony No. 4 in E minor, Op. 98 “The essence of the beautiful is unity in variety.” (Mendelssohn) “A symphony is no joke.” (Brahms)

1840 1841 1842 1843 1844 1845 1880 1881 1882 1883 1884 1885

Lower and Upper Adolph Sax invents Verdi Wagner Alexander Dumas Dostoevsky First electrical Tchaikovsky Nietzsche First underground Canada united the saxophone “Nabucco” “The Flying Duchman” “Count of Monte Christo” “Brother Karamazov” tramway, Berlin “1812 Overture” “Zarathustra” subway, London

Inspiration Keywords Inspiration Keywords

Gewandhaus Leipzig Ferdinand David Sophocles J.S. Bach Beethoven

Maestro Kristian Alexander opens the concert season with a sparkling gala evening featuring the Prelude to Wagner’s splendid opera “The Master Singers from Nuremberg”. Mendelssohn’s virtuosic Violin concerto was named “the heart’s jewel” and the most well-known violin concertos of all times. Brahms’ last symphony, the Fourth, dramatic and passionate, completes this journey through one of the most remarkable masterworks of the German Romanticism.

Kristian Alexander | conductor Joelle Kee | violin Alexa Petrenko | host

7:15 p.m. pre-concert talk at Markham Theatre foyer. Post-concert life jazz and a complimentary glass of Champagne.

comedy poetic charming patriotic

romantic innovative

famous beautiful

dramatic passionate

joyful triumphant

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Maestro Kristian Alexander is the founding Music Director and Principal Conductor of the Kindred Spirits Orchestra, the founding Music Director of the International Music Academy, the founding Artistic Director of Markham Contemporary Music Festival and the founding Music Director of the “Mozarteum” Symphony Orchestra in

Sofia (Bulgaria). In Canada, Maestro Alexander has conducted Windsor Symphony Orchestra, the Opéra de Montréal Orchestra, the Royal Conservatory of Music Symphony Orchestra (Toronto), Oakville Chamber Orchestra, Guelph Symphony Orchestra, Etobicoke Philharmonic Orchestra, Vaughan Symphony Orchestra in addition to the Internationale Bach-Collegium and Gächinger Kantorei (Stuttgart) and the “Mozarteum” Symphony Orchestra (Sofia). In addition to master degrees in Conducting and Music Theory and History, he holds various degrees in anthropology, psychology, theology, computer science, and arts management from academies and universities in Toronto, Montreal, Stuttgart, Sofia, and Plovdiv. He has been a recipient of several grants and awards from the Canada Arts Council, London City Council, L’Université de Montréal, Internationale Bachakademie (Stuttgart), the Mozarteum Internationale Stiftung (Salzburg), Open Society Foundation (New York), and National Music Academy (Sofia).

Jihye Joelle Kee has earned a Master of Music in violin performance at Cleveland Institute of Music and a Bachelor of Music from Eastman School of Music. Ms. Kee has received top prizes in numerous competitions including the Atlantic Symphony Young Artist Competition (finalist), Eastman Concerto Competition, Honor's Chamber Music

Audition, Canadian Music Competition, and the Kiwanis. She has performed in several concert venues throughout Canada and United States including her appearance as a soloist with the Eastman Philharmonia and the Korean Canadian Symphony Orchestra. As an orchestra player, she has performed with several orchestras including Firelands Symphony Orchestra, Erie Philharmonic Orchestra as well as CIM orchestra and Eastman Symphony Orchestra, where she often served as principal. She also performed in master classes and festivals such as Music Academy of the West, and Colorado College Music Festival receiving full-scholarships, where she worked with renowned musicians including Leila Josefowiczs, Victor Danchenko, Toby Appel, Sergiu Schwartz and members of acknowledged Quartets such as Cleveland Quartet, Borodin Quartet, Tackas Quartet, Orion Quartet Ying Quartet and Cavani Quartet. She is currently pursuing an Artist's Diploma at Glenn Gould School under the tutelage of the distinguished professor Paul Kantor.

Saturday, December 15, 2012 at 7:30 p.m.

HANDEL’S GLORIOUS MESSIAH Mozart’s orchestration

Handel The title page, written by Handel The final bars of the Hallelujah Chorus

It wouldn't be the holiday season without Handel's Messiah - performed with matchless spirit by the KSO! A heartening performance of the immortal oratorio, masterfully orchestrated by Mozart, with a stellar cast under the baton of Maestro Kristian Alexander. Classical 96.3 FM radio host Alexa Petrenko leads the audience through this most extraordinary story of passion and glory.

Kristian Alexander, conductor Dylan Haggard, descant Rebecca Whelan-Martin, soprano Claudia Lemcke, mezzo-soprano Stephen Harland, tenor Andrew Tees, bass-baritone Alexa Petrenko, host Village Voices Joan Andrews, artistic director 6:45 p.m. pre-concert talk at Markham Theatre foyer

“…Inspiring conductor with strong discipline and attention to every detail – qualities that bring great classical pieces from all genres and styles to life.” (Markham Life) "Maestro Kristian Alexander’s conducting was impeccable." (Courriere Canadese)

Mozart heard a performance of Handel’s Messiah in 1777 in Mennheim, 36 years after the premiere of the oratorio in 1741. In 1789 Mozart was commissioned by Baron Gottfried van Sweiten to re-orchestrate Messiah and include a pair of flutes, oboes, clarinets, and horns, as well as three trombones. Mozart’s orchestration was published in 1803 and became an integral part of the orchestral repertoire.

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Rebecca Whelan “Clearly a singer to watch” as described by Geoff Chapman of the Toronto Star, Rebecca Whelan's enchanting, crystalline voice has thrilled audiences in concert halls across North America. Soon after receiving her bachelor’s degree in vocal performance from the University of Toronto, Rebecca was engaged by the Elmer Iseler Singers, the Toronto Mendelssohn Choir and then the Amadeus Choir where her solo voice was featured on many CD recordings, CBC radio broadcasts and on tours throughout North America. In 1994, she made her solo debut at Roy Thomson Hall with the Toronto Symphony Orchestra in Vaughan Williams’ Symphonie Antarctica, under the direction of Sir Andrew Davis, and has performed with the Sault Ste. Marie Symphony Orchestra, the Canadian Brass, Nexus, the Amadeus Choir, the Esprit Orchestra, Opera Barrie, Soundstreams, Academy Orchestra of Hamilton and Tapestry New Opera Works, to name a few. Claudia Lemcke studied piano and voice in her native Germany. While teaching piano she started her singing career as a chorister in the Düsseldorfer Kammerchor under the baton of Joachim Vogelsänger, giving her many solo opportunities. A sought after musician Ms. Lemcke appeared in the chorus of numerous operetta productions with the Rheinische Operetten Bühne and later in concert performances of operas with the Vocal Ensemble Rastatt and Editha Gruberova in the Festspielhaus Baden-Baden. She has also sang with Toronto's finest ensembles such as Tafelmusik, Elmer Eiseler Singers, and Opera Atelier and as a soloist, Ms. Lemcke has performed with the Toronto Chamber Choir and Aradia Ensemble. hroughout her career Ms. Lemcke has performed under the baton of renowned conductors such as Andrew Parrot, Helmuth Rilling, Yannick Nézet-Séguin, Kristian Alexander, David Fallis, and Kevin Mallon. Canadian Tenor Stephen Raymond Harland “showed off an exciting Italianate, energetic sound as Ismael in Nabucco (Paula Citron, Arts Reviewer for Classical 96.3 FM ) and “ proved himself the possessor of a lovely tenor voice” (Robert Harris, The Globe and Mail). A frequent performer across Canada, spanning Victoria, Toronto, Montreal, Halifax, and Newfoundland, with performances that include Handel’s Messiah with the Montreal Symphony, Symphony Nova Scotia, the Victoria Symphony, the London Fanshawe Symphonic Chorus, where he also performed the Mozart Requiem, Honegger’s Le Roi David, Bach’s Mass in B Minor and Mendelssohn’s Elijah. Andrew Tees is one of the most dynamic and charismatic singers of his generation. Blessed with a rich ringing chocolate toned baritone, Andrew is the rare performer whose infectious love of singing is able to leap across an orchestra pit and embrace an audience whether singing opera, oratorio, or pops. His unmatched ability to connect with audiences makes him a natural on the pops stage. He has sung with the Toronto Symphony, the National Arts Center Orchestra, Windsor Symphony, Oakville Symphony, Thunder Bay Symphony, Hamilton Philharmonic, Oshawa Symphony, and Guelph Symphony and has been a frequent guest of the Canadian Opera Company’s Orchestra in their Altamira Outdoor Concerts.

Saturday, February 16, 2013 at 8:00 p.m.

BEETHOVEN, SCHUMANN, MENDELSSOHN Beethoven, Overture to Fidelio, Op. 72c “Music is a higher revelation than all wisdom and philosophy.” (Beethoven)

1808 1809 1811 1812 1813

Goethe Beethoven War for independence Napoleon “Faust” Piano concerto No. 5 in Latin America invades Russia

Inspiration Keywords

Vienna Duke of Ellington

Schumann, Concerto for piano and orchestra, Op. 54 Mendelssohn, Symphony No. 3, Op. 56 “Scottish” “To send light into the darkness of men's hearts - such is the duty of the artist.” (Schumann) “Music fills the soul with a thousand things better than words.” (Mendelssohn)

1840 1841 1842 1843 1844 1845 1837 1838 1839 1840 1841

Chopin writes Dickens Balzac Wagner End of French war Morse invents First bicycle First postage Adolph Sax invents his waltzes “The Old Curiosity Shop” “La comédie humaine” “The Flying Duchman” in Morocco the telegraph built, Scotland stamp, England the saxophone

Inspiration Keywords Inspiration Keywords

Beethoven Goethe Russia Clara Schumann Scotland Queen Victoria

heroic triumphant intense dramatic

popular masterwork spiritual famous

l o v e grand majestic f a t e

Internationally acclaimed French Canadian pianist Maxim Bernard makes his highly anticipated début at Markham Theatre with Schumann’s beloved piano concerto. The overture to Beethoven’s only opera, Fidelio, heroic and triumphant, counterparts Mendelssohn’s joyous and majestic “Scottish” symphony, dedicated to Queen Victoria.

Kristian Alexander | conductor Maxim Bernard | piano

Alexa Petrenko | host 7:15 p.m. pre-concert talk at Markham Theatre foyer Post-concert life jazz and a complimentary glass of Champagne.

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Canadian pianist Maxim Bernard has already established himself as one of today’s most promising young artists. He has performed solo recitals, chamber music, and concerti in Canada and the United States. He has worked with many esteemed conductors such as Kerry Stratton, Ronald Zollman, Roberto De Clara, and Yoav Talmi, among others. In recent seasons, Maxim Bernard has performed as soloist with the Orchestre Symphonique de Québec, Edmonton Symphony Orchestra, Toronto Concert Orchestra, Orchestre Philharmonique du Nouveau Monde, Peterborough Symphony Orchestra, Oakville Symphony Orchestra, Bloomington Symphony Orchestra and the Indiana University Philharmonic Orchestra. This past season, he was invited to perform several chamber music concerts with members of Indiana University’s string faculty: violinist Alexander Kerr and cellist Eric Kim. Their most recent performance was in Sarasota, Florida. His career was launched in 2006 after winning the prestigious International Stepping Stones of the Canadian Music

Competition which features the most talented young musicians in Canada. He was also a prize winner at the CBC Young Artists Competition and the Indianapolis Matinée Musicale Competition; first prize winner at the Canadian Music Competition several times, as well as first prize winner at the IU Jacobs School of Music Concerto Competition. With assistance from the Fonds québécois de la recherche sur la société et la culture (Québec Funds for Research on Society & Culture), Maxim Bernard pursued doctoral studies with Distinguished Professor Menahem Pressler at Indiana University’s Jacobs School of Music where he also served as Assistant Instructor. He is presently working on his dissertation about the structure and the expressive trajectory of Rachmaninoff's Variations on a Theme of Corelli, op. 42, the final step toward fulfilling requirements for the degree. Other educational opportunities included winning a scholarship from the Canada Council for the Arts to study with pianists André Laplante and Marc Durand at the Glenn Gould School of the Royal Conservatory of Music in Toronto, where he earned an Artist Diploma. He also studied at the Québec City Conservatory of Music with Suzanne Beaubien (piano) and Darren Lowe (chamber music). Other pianists he has worked with include Robert Weisz, André Watts, Angela Cheng, Alain Planès, Anton Kuerti, Garrick Ohlsson, Stephen Hough, John Perry, and Leon Fleisher.

Alexa Petrenko was born in Germany, where her mother frequently sang her to sleep with the Brahms Lullaby - which may explain her life-long love of classical music. When she was still very little, the family moved to Don Mills, where there was almost nothing to do - which may explain her life-long love of travel. She learned English in Kindergarten, which may explain her life-long love of languages, and took the usual piano and ballet lessons as a child. But singing was always her real love, and for years she would sing anywhere, anytime, and for anybody at the slightest provocation. Alexa studied languages and literature at University of Toronto (“study something sensible,” her parents said, “not music”) and wrote a lot of essays comparing plays with opera librettos. In the middle of her Ph.D. in German Literature, she finally had enough and ran away to join the Elmer Iseler Singers, with whom she performed, toured and recorded in the mid 1980s. She has also sung

with the Toronto Mendelssohn Choir and Tafelmusik Chamber Choir. Currently, Alexa only sings at home with the dogs and the birds, but you can hear her speaking into the microphone on The New Classical 96.3 FM.

Saturday, March 30, 2013 at 8:00 p.m.

MAHLER’S DAS LIED VON DER ERDE Wagner, Parsifal: Prelude to Act I “Joy is not in things; it is in us.” (Wagner)

1877 1878 1879 1880 1881 1882

Edison invents Hughes invents Edison invents Rodin First electrical The phonograph the microphone the light bulb “The Thinker” tramway, Berlin

Inspiration Keywords

Buddha Holy Grail Easter

Tchaikovsky, Variations on a Rococo Theme, Op. 33 Mahler, Das Lied von der Erde (The Song of the Earth) “Music is the most beautiful of all Heaven's gifts to humanity.” (Tchaikovsky) “A symphony must be like the world. It must contain everything.” (Mahler)

1871 1872 1873 1874 1875 1876 1904 1905 1906 1907 1908 1909

Verdi Austria and Germany First colour Brahms Bizet Puccini Einstein Alzheimer discovers Picasso Montgomery, “Ann of “Aida” alliance with Russia photograph “Hungarian Dances” “Carmen” “Madame Butterfly” “Theory of Relativity” a new brain disorder “Les Demoiselles” Green Gables”

Inspiration Keywords Inspiration Keywords

Mozart Rococo style Chinese poetry Hans Bethge Maria Mahler

compassion re-incarnation

l o v e self-renouncing

virtuosic dramatic graceful f i n e s s e

dramatic passionate

joyful triumphant

The quest for the Holy Grail triumphs with unparallel glory in Wagner’s last opera, Parsifal, which took almost 20 years to complete, in 1877. The same year Tchaikovsky premiered in Russia his graceful and charming Variations on a Rococo Theme, for cello and orchestra. Gustav Mahler, in his “vocal symphony” Das Lied von der Erde, transforms the text of six Chinese love poems by Li Bai into a beautiful story of death and resurrection, The Song of the Earth.

Kristian Alexander, conductor Rachel Mercer, cello Andrea Ludwig, mezzo-soprano Keith Klassen, tenor Alexa Petrenko, host 7:15 p.m. pre-concert talk at Markham Theatre foyer Post-concert life jazz and a complimentary glass of Champagne.

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Described as a "pure chamber musician" (Globe and Mail) creating "moments of pure magic" (Toronto Star),

Canadian cellist Rachel Mercer has demonstrated her love for sharing music through performance since she was three years old. Winner of the 2009 Canada Council Musical Instrument Bank Competition, Rachel was awarded the use of the 1696 Bonjour Stradivarius cello, until August 2012. A member of the award-winning Aviv String Quartet from 2002-2010, Rachel toured regularly on five continents. Currently based in Toronto, Rachel is cellist of Ensemble Made In Canada, Via Salzburg, the Mercer-Park Duo, and is Artistic Director of the "5 at the First" chamber series in Hamilton. Rachel has given masterclasses at schools, conservatories and universities across North America, South Africa and in Israel. Rachel can be heard on the Naxos, Dalia Classics and EnT-T record labels.

Hailed by Halifax Chronicle Herald critic Stephen Pedersen as having “tones of silver and gold”, Andrea Ludwig has appeared with the Canadian Opera

Company in numerous roles including Nireno in Handel’s Julius Ceasar, the Second Niece in Britten’s Peter Grimes, Flora in Turn of the Screw, Moira in Ruder’s The Handmaid’s Tale and Liesgen in Bach’s Coffee Cantata. Andrea has also just finished performing with Queen of Puddings Music Theatre in their new production of Ana Sokolovic’s a capella opera Svadba – Wedding, scored for 6 women. In concert, her most recent solo performances have included Mozart Requiem, Durufle’s Requiem, Mozart’s Mass in C Minor, Handel’s Messiah for the Festival of the Sound and Aaron Copland’s In the Beginning for the Elmer Iseler Singers. The Halifax Chronicle Herald also dubbed Andrea’s most recent performance of R. Murray Schafer’s Adieu Robert Schumann with Symphony Nova Scotia under the direction of Bernhard Gueller as “an intensely moving performance.”

Keith Klassen has emerged to become one of Canada's busiest tenors, averaging 12 productions a season since graduating with honours from the Opera Division at

the University of Toronto in 2002. He has been engaged across Canada, as well as in Scotland, Germany, the United States, Ireland and the Czech Republic. The Star Phoenix described him as having, "...a big ringing voice and great stage presence", Classical 96.3 added, "Klassen's voice is pure honey with its ease of high notes and the lyrical grace of his phrasing.", Opera Canada raved that his Rodolfo was "...dramatically convincing, sung with passionate sincerity ensuring the audience's love.", John Terauds of the Toronto Star called him, "...one of the country's most versatile artists.", and NOW magazine's Jon Kaplan went so far as to rate Keith as one of Toronto's top ten theatre artists of 2006.

Sunday, May 5, 2013 at 2:00 p.m.

SIBELIUS’ VIOLIN CONCERTO Markham Contemporary Music Festival

Lutosławski, Symphonic Variations “Composers are messengers from an ideal world.” (Lutosławski)

1934 1935 1936 1937 1938 1939

First highway Watt invents BBC inaugurates First helicopter Hitler annexes Germany the radar TV service, England built by Focke Austria

Inspiration Keywords

A. Webern G. Fitelberg A. Schönberg

Sibelius, Concerto for violin and orchestra, Op. 47 Stravinsky, Symphony No. 1, Op. 1 “No statue has ever been put up to a critic.” (Sibelius) “I am an inventor of music.” (Stravinsky)

1899 1900 1901 1902 1903 1904 1900 1901 1902 1903 1904 1905

Wild, “The importance Puccini First automobile Monet First flight by Freud, “The interpretation Rudolph Steiner USA controls Anti-Jewish Roosevelt becomes of being Ernest” “Tosca” built by Mercedes “Waterloo bridge” Wright brothers of Dreams” antroposophy Panama Canal pogrom, Russia president of the USA

Inspiration Keywords Inspiration Keywords

R. Strauss F. Busoni A. Bruckner Tchaikovsky W. Burmester Wagner R. Strauss Glazunov Tchaikovsky Rimsky-Korsakov

ambitious adventurous

t o n a l avant-garde

demanding

original exhilarating masterful

Russian romantic youthful energetic

Maestro Alexander leads the Kindred Spirits Orchestra in Lutosławski’s Symphonic Variations, a rare survivor among his music written before the World War II, which would subject Poland to six years of direct Nazi German rule and forty-five years of domination by Soviet Russia. Internationally renowned French Canadian violinist Marc Djokic makes his début with the Kindred Spirits Orchestra in the emotionally intense Violin Concerto by the Finish composer Jan Sibelius. Stravinsky’s First Symphony, youthful and energetic, channels the full spirit of the Russian romantic era while paying homage to Tchaikovsky, Rimsky-Korsakov, and Glazunov.

Kristian Alexander | conductor Marc Djokic | violin Alexa Petrenko | host 1:15 p.m. pre-concert talk at Markham Theatre foyer

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Critically acclaimed violinist Marc Djokic is emerging as one of Canada’s most exciting musicians. He has performed across Canada and the U.S. as a soloist and a collaborative musician and has been praised for his dynamic and exciting performance style. Marc currently resides in Montreal where he was a winner of a 2009 Opus Prix and has established himself as a performing artist of critical acclaim “spot-on accuracy”;… “violin playing of a high level” – La Presse. Marc is frequently heard as soloist with orchestra having already appeared as soloist with many Canadian orchestras such as Symphony Nova Scotia, The National Arts center Orchestra, Ottawa Chamber Orchestra, Symphony New Brunswick and the Niagara Symphony Orchestra and the Toronto Symphony Orchestra. Marc has toured Canada many times with his colleague, pianist Julien LeBlanc. They have performed throughout the Atlantic Provinces, British Columbia, and Quebec to critical acclaim….. “Vigorous Virtuosity!” – The Telegram. Marc’s other collaborations include a high energy duo with acclaimed marimbist Anne-Julie Caron which has brought them to summer festivals and broadcasted on CBC radio and CBC Television. Marc appears in numerous chamber music festivals across North America including Park City Chamber Music Festival in Utah, the Ottawa Chamber Music Festival, Music and Beyond Festival, Montreal Chamber Music Festival and many others. Marc Djokic has received numerous awards and grants from the Canada Council for the Arts and gratefully acknowledges their support throughout his career. Marc performs on violins by Carl Becker 1927 and a rare Guarnerius from 1740.

Thursday, June 27, 2013 at 8:00 p.m.

MENDELSSOHN’S “REFORMATION” SYMPHONY Fauré, Pavane, Op. 50 “Music exists to elevate us as far as possible above everyday life.” (Fauré)

1882 1883 1884 1885 1886 1887

First hydroelectric First skyscraper Mark Twain First gasoline Canadian Pacific plant by Edison (10 stories), Chicago “Huckleberry Finn” engine by Benz railway completed

Inspiration Keywords

Marie Fremiet Spain Elizabeth Greffulhe

Brahms, Concerto for piano and orchestra No. 1, Op. 15 Mendelssohn, Symphony No. 5, Op. 107 “Reformation” “Without craftsmanship, inspiration is a mere reed shaken in the wind.” (Brahms) “Music is so absorbing… that it is truly a blessed gift of God.” (Mendelssohn)

1853 1854 1855 1856 1857 1858 1824 1825 1826 1827 1828 1830

Verdi Britain and France Berlioz First piano factory First elevator Beethoven composes First railroad Cooper, “The last Russia Dumas writes “La Traviata” war against Russia “Te Deum” by Bechstein built by Otis his Ninth Symphony open, England of the Mohicans” defeats Persia “The three Musketeers”

Inspiration Keywords Inspiration Keywords

Beethoven Grimm Schumann Baroque art Haydn Martin Luther Frederick William III Augsburg

haunting elegant light-hearted

romantic

classical thril l ing g r a n d complex

grandiose

sacral dramatic polyphonic

The elegant and somewhat haunting Pavane by the French composer Gabriel Fauré sets the tone for Brahms’ epic First piano concerto performed to a great acclaim by Darrett Zusko whose début with the Kindred Spirits Orchestra in 2010 brought the audience to its feet. Mendelssohn’s “Reformation” symphony offers a rediscovery of the musical past, marked by the composer’s noteworthy spiritual odyssey through some of the most significant events in European history.

Kristian Alexander | conductor Darrett Zusko | piano Alexa Petrenko | host Village Voices, Joan Andrews | artistic director 7:15 p.m. pre-concert talk at Markham Theatre foyer Post-concert life jazz and a complimentary glass of Champagne.

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Having time and again garnered much critical acclaim wherever he’s performed, Canadian pianist Darrett Zusko is rapidly establishing himself as one of the new generation’s most exciting and versatile young artists. Cited as being “perhaps one of the most promising performers of the 21st century” by Spain’s La Nueva España, the Cincinnati Enquirer stopped nothing short of describing him as “a phenom” who “plays with a fluency that belies the music’s complexity” (The Toronto Star). Frequently engaged by a number of today’s leading symphonic ensembles including the Montréal, Vancouver, Toronto, and Cincinnati Symphony Orchestras, in addition to the Ottawa Symphony, Niagara Symphony and Louisiana Philharmonic under the batons of Bramwell Tovey, JoAnn Falletta, Jacques Lacombe, Erich Kunzel, Victor Feldbrill and John Morris Russell to name only but a few, Mr. Zusko is fast becoming one of Canada’s most sought-after soloists.

Village Voices was formed as a mixed voice community choir in the spring of 1989 to provide opportunities for members to sing together, to encourage and promote individuals musical growth, and to bring choral music to the community. Village Voices has continued to honour these goals, while producing a high standard of achievement in all types of choral music classical, sacred and

secular. Two major concerts are presented each year at Christmas and in the spring. Joan Andrews is now in her thirteenth year as Artistic Director. Under her leadership the choir has presented a wide variety of repertoire. Christmas programs have included Handels Messiah, Vivaldis Gloria in D Major, and Bachs Magnificat. Spring concerts have featured Canadian folk songs, works by classical and contemporary composers, choruses from well-known operas, musical theatre, gospel music and spirituals. Gerald Loo, our long time accompanist, continues to bring his musical talents to support the choir at rehearsals and concerts. The choir has raised its artistic level through vocal workshops and the inclusion in its programs of professional soloists and instrumentalists. The choir has held concerts jointly with choirs from Uxbridge, London and Richmond Hill and Markham. Much has been accomplished in the past twenty two years. The

choirs reputation has grown, and concerts are given to ever-larger audiences. The choirs membership has changed and grown to about 70 members. Its commitment to the founding groups aims and goals has remained steadfast. While celebrating its past, Village Voices looks to the future with every confidence in continued success and many more years of beautiful music.

CONNECT WITH US Subscriptions and single tickets for all concerts can be purchased in advance through the Markham Theatre for the Performing Arts box office: on-line, by phone, or in person, as well as directly at the concert venue, 2 hours before each performance. The box office accepts cash, debit cards, VISA, MasterCard, and American Express. $3.96 box office fees per ticket apply.

On-line Visit www.MarkhamTheatre.ca.

By Phone Call Markham Theatre for the Performing Arts box office at 905.305.7469, Monday to Saturday, from 11:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m.

By Fax Send a request to 905.489.4621. We will contact you within 24 hours.

By E-Mail Send a request to info@KSOrchestra.ca. We will contact you within 24 hours.

In Person Visit Markham Theatre for the Performing Arts box office at 171 Town Centre Blvd. (Warden Ave. and HWY 7).

Everyone, including children and infants, must have a ticket to be admitted to the performance. All payments will be deposited upon receipt. No refunds or credits, except in case of cancellation of a performance. Programmes and artists are subject to change without notice. Your privacy matters to us. To be removed from any of our mailing and e-mailing lists, e-mail info@KSOrchestra.ca

The Kindred Spirits Orchestra administration office is located at 8-4981 Highway 7, Markham ON L3R 1N1. If you have any questions, you can call us at 905.604.8339 or e-mail to info@KSOrchestra.ca. For more information, visit www.KSOrchestra.ca. Connect with us on FaceBook, Twitter, and YouTube.

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SUBSCRIBING STEP 1. Choose any 3, 4, 5, or all 6 concerts:

□ Saturday, October 27, 2012 at 8:00 p.m., BRAHMS` MIGHTY FORTH

□ Saturday, December 15, 2012 at 7:30 p.m., HANDEL’S GLORIOUS MESSIAH

□ Saturday, February 16, 2013 at 8:00 p.m., BEETHOVEN, SCHUMANN, MENDELSSOHN

□ Saturday, March 30, 2013 at 8:00 p.m., MAHLER’S DAS LIED VON DER ERDE

□ Sunday, May 5, 2013 at 2:00 p.m., SIBELIUS’ VIOLIN CONCERTO

□ Thursday, June 27, 2013 at 8:00 p.m., MENDELSSOHN’S “REFORMATION” SYMPHONY

STEP 2. How many seats do you need?

Number of concerts 3 4 5 6

Regular price $64 $88 $110 $134

Discounted price* $42 $56 $72 $84

How many seats?

* Senior over 65 y.o., full time student, child under 18 y.o.

Please note that Box Office fee of $3.96 per ticket will be added. STEP 4. Call Markham Theatre at 905.305.7469, Monday through Saturday from 11:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. You can also fill in the subscription form here included and mail it to the Kindred Spirits Orchestra office at 4981 Highway 7, Unit 8, Markham ON L3R 1N1, together with your cheque or credit card information. If you wish, you may visit Markham Theatre Box Office from Monday through Saturday from 11:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m.

STEP 3. Additional single tickets. Save 35% off the regular single ticket price by ordering additional tickets as part of your subscription package. You can use them to invite family members and friends to specific performances or to make thoughtful gifts. Make sure to book your tickets for HANDEL’S MESSIAH at Markham Theatre on December 15, 2012.

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GETTING TO MARKHAM THEATRE Markham Theatre is located at 171 Town Centre Blvd. (Warden Ave. and Highway 7) in Markham, Ontario L3R lG5 Parking Free outdoor parking in front of the Markham Theatre for the Performing Arts is available on a first-come first-served basis. Public transportation From Union Station, take Toronto Transit Commission (TTC) Yonge subway to Finch station (last stop). From TTC Finch Subway Station, take York Region Transit (YRT) bus No. 1 (HWY 7 route) and disembark at Civic Centre/Markham Theatre stop. The Theatre is located on the North-West corner of Warden Ave. and HWY 7 (just north of the Civic Centre). Click here for more information about YRT schedules and route navigators.

CONCERT ETIQUETTE Concert programmes and notes Complimentary concert programmes are available at the concert venue, one hour prior to each performance. In addition, you can view programme notes for each composition online at www.KSOrchestra.ca. Cameras and audio recorders Cameras and other recording devices are not permitted in the auditorium. Accessibility All performances are wheelchair accessible including entrances, washrooms, and seating.

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Cellular phones and paging devices Please be sure to turn off your cellular phones, pagers, watch alarms, and other audible electronic devices before the concert begins. Please also take a break from reading or sending text messages during the performance. Coughing Well, everyone coughs now and then. The less worried you are about coughing, the less likely you are to feel the urge. If you have a cold, take some cough medicine in advance and bring unwrapped lozenges with you. Try to cough during a loud passage of music. If it is impossible to control your cough, it is perfectly acceptable to quietly exit the auditorium. The ushers will help you to re-enter the hall. Applauses Although at one time it was common to applaud at any time during the performance, modern audiences usually hold their applauses until the end of an entire piece, i.e. after the last movement has ended. If you are in doubt as to the number of movements of a composition, you can consult the concert programme for more information. You may also keep in mind that at the end of the entire piece, the conductor will turn to the audience. Duration of the performance KSO performances are usually two hours including one intermission. Some concerts are 90 minutes long and special events may vary in length from one hour without intermission to 3 hours with two intermissions. Dress code Although there is no formal dress code, most people wear business attire or dressier casual clothes. Multiple chemical sensitivity syndrome (MCSS) Some people may be extremely sensitive to fragrances and may develop severe allergies, asthma or other respiratory diseases. Please refrain from using any scented personal products when you attend the KSO concerts.

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MARKHAM THEATRE MAP

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FRIENDS Even with near-capacity sold-out houses, ticket sales only cover 20% of our performance cost, so we rely on the generosity of our donors. Each year, it is only with this support that we can perform concerts of the highest international standards, bring world- class soloists, continue developing our educational programmes and give free community outreach concerts.

We are proud of what we have accomplished – achievements that build our city and our culture. This and much more is what your support will make possible. Please consider becoming a part of one of the finest orchestras in the Greater Toronto Area. Every gift counts. Experience the KSO with attending open rehearsals and enlightening discussions with our Music Director and the musicians. See the musicians in the final preparations before a concert followed by a question and answer period with one of the members of the orchestra or with the Music Director. Experience Markham Theatre from the musicians’ perspective by having an opportunity to sit on stage right beside our musicians. We thank you for your Friendship!

KSO Friends Club Strings (20-88) Woodwinds (88-188) Brass (189-488) Percussion (489-688) Concertmaster (689-988)

Maestro’s Club Conductor’s Baton (1,000-1,888) Silver Baton (1,889-2,888) Gold Baton (2,889-3,888) Platinum Baton (3,889-4,888)

For all donations over $20 we will send a tax-deductable receipt. Find-out more at KSOrchestra.ca/Support or call 905.604.8339. For more information on corporate sponsorship opportunities, e-mail info@KSOrchestra.ca or call 905.604.8339 Charitable Registration Number 80732 3092 RR0001.

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COMMUNITY OUTREACH The Kindred Spirits Orchestra gives five free community outreach concerts per season:

Unionville Arts Festival in August at the Unionville Millennium Bandstand

Milliken Children’s Festival in September at Markham Civic Centre

Chinese New Year Celebration in January/February with the Federation of Chinese Canadians in Markham

Taste of Asia in May at Pacific Mall

Unionville Canada Day Celebration on July 1 at Unionville Millennium Bandstand

To find out more, e-mail info@KSOrchestra.ca

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EDUCATIONAL PROGRAMMES Through various educational programmes, courses, and events, the KSO works together with children, adolescents, students, parents, life-long learners, teachers, educational leaders, public and private schools, colleges, and universities. The KSO has developed the following educational programmes:

On-going professional development for musicians.

Performing opportunities for young musicians.

Music courses for children.

Youth Strings Mentoring Programme.

Broadway Kids Live!

Associate Conductor residency programme.

Assistant Conductor residency programme.

Canadian Composer-in-residence programme.

Young Canadian Composers Workshops.

Markham Contemporary Müsic Festival. To find out more about the KSO educational programmes, visit KSOrchestra.ca/youth or call 905.604.8339.

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SALUTE TO OUR SPONSORS We salute our corporate sponsors and funding partners. Their support for our shared vision ensures we continue playing great music. Corporate sponsors

Funding partners

SUBSCRIBE NOW AND SAVE UP TO 35%. Call Markham Theatre at 905.305.7469 or visit MarkhamTheatre.ca

KINDRED SPIRITS ORCHESTRA Kristian Alexander, Music Director Jobert Sevilleno, General Manager Frank Scarpitti, Mayor of Markham | Honorary Patron

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