Details

The sensational Karen Gomyo performs extroverted works by Bartók and Piazzolla, inspired by folk music of Romania and Argentina. Bill Eddins conducts two of his favourites – a sunny and melodious symphony by “Papa” Haydn, and Stravinsky’s luminous miniature dedicated to the memory of Debussy.

Learn more about the performance at Symphony Prelude: 7:15 pm in the Upper Circle (Third Level) Lobby.

Haydn: Symphony No. 88
Bartok: Violin Rhapsody No. 1
Stravinsky: Symphonies of Wind Instruments
Piazzola: Four Seasons of Buenos Aires

$69 Dress Circle (A)
$59 Terrace (B)
$51 Orchestra (C)
$38 Upper Circle (D)
$28 Gallery (E)
$20 Orchestra Front (F)
(click map for interactive version)

Tickets subject to applicable service charges.

Thank you to our series sponsor:

Thank you to our media sponsor:

The next Classic Landmarks Masters performance is March 6, 2010.

Program Information

Program

Haydn: Symphony No. 88 (23')*

Bartok: Violin Rhapsody No. 1 (11')*
 Karen Gomyo, violin

Intermission

Stravinsky: Symphonies of Wind Instruments (9')*

Piazzola: Four Seasons of Buenos Aires (28')*
 Karen Gomyo, violin

*Indicates approximate performance duration

Artist Information

William Eddins is in his fifth season as Music Director of the Edmonton Symphony Orchestra. A native of Buffalo, New York, he currently resides in Minneapolis with his lovely wife Jen, a clarinetist, and their two boys Raef (AKA Raefster; Munchers) and Riley (AKA Squeaky; The Imp; Dr. No).

Bill has been playing piano since he was five when his parents bought a Wurlitzer Grand piano at a garage sale.  He started conducting during his sophomore year at the Eastman School of Music, and most of the '80s were spent trying to decide whether to pursue a career in conducting or piano.  The quandary was answered for him when he realized that the life of a poor, starving pianist was for the birds.  In 1989 Bill decided to study conducting with Dan Lewis at the University of Southern California, from whence he managed to land assistant conductor posts with the Chicago Symphony and the Minnesota Orchestra in 1992. 

Bill has many non-musical hobbies including: cooking, eating, discussing food, and planning dinner parties.  He is also quite fond of biking, tennis, reading, and pinball.  Unfortunately, due to pianistic paranoia his days in the martial arts are long over.

Bill is committed to bringing classical music to the greater public.  He has started a podcast – Classical Connections – which is dedicated to exploring the history of classical music and highlights live chamber music performances in which Bill has taken part (check it out for yourself at Bill Eddins' website).  He has also produced a solo piano CD – Bad Boys, Volume I – which features Beethoven's "Hammerklavier" Sonata and Albright's Nightmare Fantasy Rag. His latest recording, on the Naxos label, features American music for cello and orchestra.

Multimedia

The Autumn movement of Piazzolla's Four Seasons of Buenas Aires: