The ESO Presents

 

Fired by an uncompromising musical intelligence and seemingly super-human technical facility, organist Cameron Carpenter is changing the game of his instrument. This force of nature returns to the Francis Winspear Centre for Music for another breathtaking performance with your Edmonton Symphony Orchestra on May 6. Performing works by Cole Porter and Gershwin under the direction of William Eddins, plus the North American premiere of his own work, Cameron Carpenter will also defy the mainstream and challenge all preconceptions of organ music in a solo recital following intermission.
 

Cameron Carpenter’s new work, The Scandal, is giving glamour and fame back to what is sometimes perceived as “the dusty king of instruments” with a pseudo symphonic tone-poem illustrating the concept of “scandal”. Examining the patterns that unfold after a scandal breaks, the orchestra and organ act as figures in a character study representing the public and individual, respectively. Through the suspicion and investigation of the public, and the anxiety and due testament of the individual at the centre of it all, the orchestra and organ are at complete odds, battling developments as they arise.

 

The controversial organist’s virtuosity is staggering and unquestioned, and goes hand in hand with his unrelenting scope, imagination, and flamboyancy. “No other musician of Carpenter’s generation has more adeptly fused shrewd showmanship, dazzling technique, and profound thinking about his instrument and his place in the musical cosmos…” claims The San Francisco Chronicle. For playing Chopin’s Études on the organ; for his design of organs, organ benches, Swarovski-encrusted performance wear and organ shoes; for his original works and improvisations; and for his expansion of the organ repertoire into music from film, animé, and popular culture, Cameron Carpenter is widely acclaimed.

 

Mr. Carpenter’s ESO debut in June 2010 drew some of the largest number of requests that we re-engage him as soon as possible. In addition, his use of cameras and projected images will grant every guest in the hall a close-up view of his extraordinary manual and pedal virtuosity.

 

Tickets for this special addition to the ESO Presents series are available now and range from $20 – $50 (agency fees apply). Call the Winspear Centre Box Office at (780) 428-1414, 1-800-563-5081, or purchase online.

 

Add comment

Tell us what you think! Comments are pre-moderated and will be published once approved.

Name (required)

E-mail (required). E-mail will not be published

Website

Send

Cancel

The ESO does not necessarily endorse the views of any commenter. By submitting comments, you acknowledge that the ESO has the right to reproduce and publicize those comments or any part thereof.