Highlights include Beethoven’s Fifth, the Music of the Beatles, David Myles, Swan Lake, and more!

Halifax, NS – Symphony Nova Scotia is delighted to announce its 2016/17 concert season!

With concerts ranging from Beethoven’s Seventh and Swan Lake to The Barra MacNeils and Sci-Fi Symphony, Symphony Nova Scotia presents another season of brilliant classical virtuosos, East Coast music icons, and great symphonic music.

“There is so much to hear in our 2016/17 season,” says Music Director Bernhard Gueller.

“Highlights for me include one of Canada’s most loved pianists, Janina Fialkowska, returning to open the season with Chopin; the Masterworks Series debut of our Concertmaster Renaud Lapierre in Prokofiev; and going east – to Eastern Europe, that is – with our annual Festival, welcoming back as soloist the really exciting cellist Santiago Cañón Valencia in works by Dvořák and Lutoslawski!

“Our Symphonic Fusion series includes Sci-Fi Symphony, the music of Billy Joel and Elton John, and the music of the Beatles, along with a special appearance by astronaut Chris Hadfield in Symphony in Space. Maritime Fusion presents the Barra MacNeils, Mo Kenney, a David Myles Christmas, and a tribute to Rita MacNeil.

“To enhance the all-round experience, of course we bring you The Nutcracker and Messiah, and our annual collaboration with the Nova Scotia Youth Orchestra. Plus, Canada’s Ballet Jörgen will be back with Swan Lake. I know I will see you somewhere, often! Enjoy the season with us.”

Season ticket packages are now available for all Symphony Nova Scotia’s 2016/17 concerts. Highlights include:

Our 2016/17 lineup: Masterworks Series

• Canadian pianist and “born Chopin interpreter” Janina Fialkowska joins us for Chopin’s glorious Piano Concerto no. 1.
• We celebrate the one and only Beethoven with two of his biggest hits: his Fifth and Seventh Symphonies.
• After our 2015 performance with violinist Jonathan Crow and conductor Alain Trudel was cancelled due to a storm, we welcome them back for a program of great North American music, including Aaron Copland’s radiant Appalachian Spring and Samuel Barber’s heart-wrenching Adagio for Strings.
• We partner with two outstanding Canadian pianists for two spectacular concertos: Stewart Goodyear performing Grieg’s Piano Concerto and Angela Cheng performing Beethoven’s Piano Concerto no. 1.
• We offer a variety of famous works rarely heard in Halifax, including Joaquin Rodrigo’s evocative Guitar Concerto and Vaughan Williams’ iconic A Lark Ascending.
• The finale of our season is of course the annual Festival, this time featuring the music of Eastern Europe. Highlights include Dvořák’s moving Cello Concerto, performed by star cellist Santiago Cañon Valencia, along with Tchaikovsky’s magnificent Fifth Symphony.

For a full list of 2016/17 Masterworks Series concerts, click here.

Our 2016/17 lineup: Symphonic Fusion Series

• Renowned Canadian astronaut Chris Hadfield joins us for a musical exploration of space.
• We perform not one, but two tribute concerts! In November, hear the legendary music of Billy Joel and Elton John with The Piano Men. Then in January, experience the Beatles’ iconic album Abbey Road in its entirety!
• After a huge success last year, “Sci-Fi Symphony” returns with a new lineup of truly epic music, hosted by Star Trek’s own Garrett Wang (a.k.a. Ensign Harry Kim from Voyager).
• Living legend Howard Cable brings us a Broadway Spectacular with the music of Rodgers & Hammerstein. Howard was a personal collaborator with Richard Rodgers himself!

See the full list of our 2016/17 Symphonic Fusion series here.

Our 2016/17 lineup: Maritime Fusion

• We join forces with Cape Breton superstars the Barra MacNeils for two concerts of foot-stomping fun.
• We once again team up with the Men of the Deeps to honour the late, great Rita MacNeil.
• Rising star singer-songwriter Mo Kenney joins us for the Halifax Pop Explosion.
• Nova Scotia’s own David Myles brings us a brand-new festive show with It’s Christmas.

Learn more about this series here.

Our 2016/17 lineup: Baroque Series

• We celebrate the grand tradition of Baroque brass in a festive concert featuring our own virtuoso brass players.
• Baroque music specialist Jeanne Lamon returns to lead the orchestra in a concert of Great Handel Love Duets, featuring the incredibly gifted countertenor Daniel Taylor and soprano Ellen McAteer in a program that’s been performed across Canada to critical and audience acclaim.
• In a special two-concert event, we perform all six of Bach’s beloved Brandenburg Concertos.
• Violons du Roy conductor Mathieu Lussier leads a concert of tempestuous Baroque masterworks.

Read more about the 2016/17 Baroque series here.

AND MORE…

• Superstar violinist James Ehnes performs a show-stopping recital concert with his accompanist, pianist Andrew Armstrong (without orchestra).
• Our Alderney Encores return for the fourth year, featuring repeat performances of two exciting concerts at Dartmouth’s Alderney Landing Theatre.
• We once again present the annual hit The Nutcracker, Halifax’s favourite holiday tradition for over 25 years.
• We partner with Canada’s Ballet Jörgen for Swan Lake, featuring Tchaikovsky’s dazzling score performed live by our orchestra.
• Our hit Family Series returns with three more concerts of FREE musical fun for all ages at a new venue at Pier 21 – plus performances at Alderney Landing and the Halifax Central Library.
• We explore and discover new classical music with conductor and composer Brian Current and composer Nicole Lizée in “Behind the Sound of Music”, part of the 2016 Open Waters Festival.

See the full list of our 2016/17 special events and concerts here.

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Full details on the 2016/17 season are available now at symphonynovascotia.ca. Or, to request a print brochure by mail, please e-mail us at [email protected].

Ticket packages for our 2016/17 concerts are on sale now!

Package holders save up to 35% over regular ticket prices and receive a host of exclusive benefits, including first choice of seats for all concerts.

Almost half of Symphony Nova Scotia’s 2015/16 concerts to date have sold out, and purchasing a ticket package is the best way to ensure you can attend the concerts you really want to see.

Order today at 902.494.3820 or 1.800.874.1669, or in person at the Dalhousie Arts Centre Box Office, 6101 University Avenue, Halifax.

Single tickets for 2016/17 will go on sale August 2, 2016.

About Symphony Nova Scotia
Symphony Nova Scotia is Nova Scotia’s orchestra. Each year more than 50,000 audience members (including 15,000 young music lovers) join us in communities across Nova Scotia for performances of the music they love – from baroque and classical to pop and rock and folk. Under the inspirational leadership of Music Director Bernhard Gueller, Symphony Nova Scotia is one of the most broadcast orchestras in the country, with over 20 commercial releases and multiple East Coast Music Awards. Visit symphonynovascotia.ca to learn more, listen online, or get tickets today!

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For more information, please contact:
Heidi MacPhee
Director of Communications and Marketing, Symphony Nova Scotia
902.421.5264
[email protected]
symphonynovascotia.ca