2010-11 Symphony Under the Sky

2010-11 Symphony Under the Sky

Every Labour Day weekend we present Symphony Under the Sky at Hawrelak Park. Festival conductor Bob Bernhardt leads the orchestra through a diverse line-up of concerts that span everything from Bach to Billy Joel. Join us in the relaxed atmosphere of the great outdoors, enjoy a picnic in the park, and cap off your summer with great music!

Click here to learn more about park 'n' ride, box office hours, and more festival information.

For weekend passes, please call the box office at 780-428-1414.

  • September 3, 2010, 7:00 pm
  • Bach, Beethoven, and Brahms
  • Our classical masters night at Symphony Under the Sky doesn’t get any more masterful than this! Bach, Beethoven, and Brahms, with one of the ESO’s favourite guest artists. Bob Bernhardt is joined by Karen Gomyo for Prokofiev's Violin Concerto No. 2 in the festival’s opening concert. The orchestra will fill the night air with Bach’s famous Sheep May Safely Graze, Beethoven’s First Symphony, and Brahms' Hungarian Dances No. 5 & 6.

    Limited advance tickets available. Please call the box office at 780-428-1414 for tickets.

    This performance has reached our advanced sales capacity. Additional grass seating will be released for sale at 5 pm on September 3rd at the on-site box office, provided the performance remains in Hawrelak Park.
  • September 4, 2010, 2:00 pm
  • The Celtic Spirit
  • Celtic music is as diverse as the Celtic spirit. This concert, featuring Edmonton’s award-winning Knock School of Irish Dance, explores all the colours and as many kinds of Celtic music as a stage can hold. From classics by Mendelssohn, Herbert, and others to traditional tunes from the Emerald Isle, this Celtic celebration has it all.
  • September 4, 2010, 7:00 pm
  • John Williams’ Greatest Hits
  • Showing versatility as well as amazing talent, Karen Gomyo makes a second appearance at our festival, joining Bob Bernhardt and the ESO at our perennially popular movie night for some of the many memorable scores by the great John Williams. Music from such films as Superman, Schindler’s List, Star Wars, and Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone will be heard.

    This performance has reached our advanced sales capacity. Additional grass seating will be released for sale at 5 pm on September 4th at the on-site box office, provided the performance remains in Hawrelak Park.
  • September 5, 2010, 2:00 pm
  • Gallop and Go with Lisa and Linda
  • Bounce in your saddle on this adventure along the trail where we hear cowboy sing-a-longs and meet Clip-Clop the Horse. Classic miniatures include music by Copland, Grofé, and Rossini, all accompanied by Piano, Clarinet, French Horn and Bassoon. This Family Matinée is not included in the Weekend Pass and does not include the ESO.
  • September 5, 2010, 7:00 pm
  • The Piano Men
  • Two of the great pop/rock songwriters of our time come together in the talented hands of Jim Witter. The timeless songs of Billy Joel and Elton John are backed by the power and passion of a symphony orchestra in a performance full of memories and melodies. Enjoy a summer night of classic rock with Candle in the Wind, Rocket Man, Movin’ Out, Just the Way You Are, Piano Man, and Goodbye Yellow Brick Road.

    This performance has reached our advanced sales capacity. Additional grass seating will be released for sale at 5 pm on September 5th at the on-site box office, provided the performance remains in Hawrelak Park.
  • September 6, 2010, 2:00 pm
  • Great Canadian Song Book
  • You don’t need a hockey rink to put together an award-winning, all-Canadian lineup. Our festival finale still features the guns of the Royal Canadian Artillery in Tchaikovsky’s powerful 1812 Overture, but before that, we’ve got some of the great songs and standards from the true north strong and free in dazzling orchestral arrangements. From Four Strong Winds to Snowbird, Big Yellow Taxi to Heart of Gold, come hear the ESO play celebrated and memorable Canadian hits.