June, 2005 - Nr. 6
THE SOULFUL STRAINS OF KLEZMER, TANGO, AND JAZZ SHAKE UP THE TSO
Peter Oundjian, conductor
Giora Feidman, clarinet
Joaquin Valdepeñas
Dennis Smylie, basset horn
Joel Quarrington, double bass
June 11 at 7:30 pm
June 12 at 3:00 pm
Roy Thomson Hall
Toronto, Ontario – The "King of Klezmer" makes a rare Toronto appearance. Clarinettist Giora Feidman’s infectuous playing and delight in music making continues to move, excite and amaze audiences around the world. At this TSO concert, Feidman (TSO debut) and friends present music that showcases the clarinet in all its classical, Broadway, and Klezmer glory. Peter Oundjian conducts this concert that also includes TSO principals clarinettist Joaquin Valdepeñas and double bassist Joel Quarrington. Dennis Smylie makes his TSO debut on the basset horn. The repertoire spans a few cultures and genres: Mendelssohn’s Konzertstück No. 1 for Clarinet and Basset Horn; Bloch’s Schelomo ("Hebraic Rhapsody"); Ora Bat Chaim: Love for Life (for two Clarinets, Double Bass and Orchestra); Piazzolla’s Tangos; and Gershwin’s Porgy and Bess Suite: "Summertime"; "There’s a Boat Dat’s Leavin’"; "It Ain’t Necessarily So"; "Serena’s Prayer"; "My Man’s Gone Now"; "I got Plenty o’ Nuttin’"; and "I’m On My Way".
Giora Feidman’s gifts prompt fans to gesture helplessly as they try to find the right words to despite his magical musicianship. He has the ability to turn the clarinet into a voice with unlimited expression; Feidman can express anything he wants to, whether it’s joy, sorrow, or anguish. All music he plays becomes his own, and emoting is effortless for this master clarinettist. He is a storyteller by way of his instrument – the clarinet laughs and weeps. Giora Feidman was born to Jewish immigrant parents in Argentina in 1936. He was influenced by Klezmer early on, and received classical training. Starting at age 18, he performed in the Symphony and Opera Orchestra of the Teatro Colon in Buenos Aires. He was invited to join the Israel Philharmonic Orchestra at 20, the youngest clarinettist to do so, and remained with this orchestra for nearly twenty years. Once he left the Israel Phil in the 70’s, Feidman embarked on what became a worldwide renaissance of the ancient Klezmer tradition, one enriched with elements from both classical and contemporary music. Now based in New York, he returns to stages around the world, either with a symphony or with his own quartet. In recent times, he has also returned to his birthplace, Argentina, working on a programme "From Klezmer to Tango", which bridges different cultures in a biographical manner. Apart from concerts and recordings, Mr. Feidman has been involved with film projects, such as collaborating with Itzhak Perlman in Steven Spielberg’s film Schindler’s List, which went on to win the Oscar for best score in 1993. In 2001, Germany awarded him a special award for his special efforts at ameliorating relations between German and Jewish nationals. As Leonard Bernstein once declared, "Long live Giora, his clarinet, and his soul music! He bridges many gaps – generational, cultural, and social, and he does it with consummate artistry."
Part of the Desjardins Light Classics Series.
Tickets:
$64, $56, $52, $48, $44, $35, $28, $23.
Call the Roy Thomson Hall box office at 416 593 4828
or order online at www.roythomson.com.
Mon-Fri, 9-8. Sat, 12-5. Sun, 2 hrs prior to concert start. VISA/MC/AMEX.
Toronto Symphony Orchestra
#550 – 212 King Street West, Toronto, ON, M5H 1K5
Marketing fax: 416 593 8660 www.tso.ca
