Halifax/Kjipuktuk, NS – Symphony Nova Scotia’s March concerts celebrate the coming spring season with three fantastic concerts: Bach & Telemann with Steven Devine, The Piano Men: Still Rock ‘n Roll with Jim Witter, and Beethoven & Daniel Bolshoy’s Guitar with conductor Earl Lee.

BACH & TELEMANN – MARCH 8 & 9

Our 2024/25 Baroque Series concludes with Bach & Telemann – a concert celebrating baroque music’s superstar, and one of the most influential composers in the history of classical music: Johann Sebastian Bach. With his exceptional talent, massive career, and glorious, transcendent works, Bach is an undisputed father of classical music – but in his own time, it was his contemporary Georg Philipp Telemann who was most prolific and renowned.

This lively and enlightening concert explores the contrast between the music of Bach and Telemann with leader and harpsichordist Steven Devine, best known for playing with the critically-acclaimed Orchestra of the Age of Enlightenment. Hear Bach’s lighthearted Second Suite with its virtuosic flute solo performed by our very own Principal Flute Casey Granofsky, as well as Bach’s grand Harpsichord Concerto adapted and performed by Steven himself. Plus, enjoy Telemann’s regal, elegant Overture in F Major and his joyous, triumphant Overture in D Major. Don’t miss this opportunity to experience the great works of these two Baroque music legends.

This concert will take place on Saturday evening (with great seats still available) and also on Sunday afternoon (which is very popular and tickets are limited).

THE PIANO MEN: STILL ROCK ‘N ROLL – MARCH 21-23

Our popular Symphonic Fusion Series brings Halifax audiences The Piano Men: Still Rock ‘n Roll with the golden-voiced, multi-instrumentalist Jim Witter, led by Halifax conductor Greg Burton. A symphonic sequel to his hugely popular Piano Men concert, Jim and his four-piece band pick up where the Piano Men left off with even more smash hits from legendary icons Billy Joel & Elton John. Experience a year-by-year multimedia musical feast of favourites from the 1970s and ’80s like It’s Still Rock and Roll to Me, Goodbye Yellow Brick Road, You May Be Right, Sad Songs, and so much more in this immersive salute to two of the world’s most iconic musicians.

“This time around we dig a bit deeper into their repertoire,” says Jim. “Billy and Elton just have such a huge catalogue of great songs from the ’70s, you simply can’t fit them all into one show. We also move into the ’80s in the second half of the show. Like the first Piano Men show, the music will be accompanied by visuals that aim to remind us of how awesome the ’70s and the ’80s were! Pop culture, news headlines, etc. that take us on a musical journey.

“I always love performing with Symphony Nova Scotia,” says Jim. “It’s like nothing I’ve experienced before. I get a little sad every night near the end of the show as I just want it to keep going and going… and the audiences in Halifax are always so enthusiastic. Sure, it’s a symphony show, but the Symphony patrons are not afraid to let loose and have a good time, and that’s what these shows are all about.”

This concert will feature two evening performances on Friday and Saturday as well as a popular Sunday matinee performance generously sponsored by The Berkeley.

BEETHOVEN & DANIEL BOLSHOY’S GUITAR – MARCH 27

Finally, in our classical Spotlight Series, we round out the month with a presentation of Beethoven & Daniel Bolshoy’s Guitar led by award-winning Korean-Canadian conductor and cellist Earl Lee, Music Director of the Ann Arbor Symphony and Assistant Conductor of the Boston Symphony. After a triumphant solo performance with Symphony Nova Scotia in 2016, Israeli-Canadian guitarist and music educator Daniel Bolshoy returns for two virtuoso guitar showpieces, including a reprisal of Rodrigo’s Concertio de Aranjuez. Having performed as a soloist with over 60 orchestras across the globe, Daniel has been praised the world over as a musician of “accomplished intelligence and technical skill” (Toronto Star) who can coax “utter magic from his guitar” (Port Hope Evening Guide).

In addition to these brilliant guitar showpieces, Symphony Nova Scotia performs Beethoven’s cheerful and energetic Symphony No. 2. A delightful departure from his earlier works, each movement takes you on a journey from its vigorous opening through the lushly beautiful, almost Schubertian slow movement to its explosive and powerful finale.

This concert will also be performed in Yarmouth at Beacon United Church on Friday, March 28 and Lunenburg at St. John’s Anglican Church on Saturday, March 29. Tickets for these two community concerts are available directly through each venue (see details below).

CONCERT DETAILS & TICKET INFORMATION

Tickets for Symphony Nova Scotia’s March concerts in Halifax can be purchased at the Dalhousie Arts Centre Box Office: 902.494.3820, 6101 University Ave, or symphonynovascotia.ca.

BACH & TELEMANN
Saturday, March 8, 2025 at 7:30 pm
Sunday, March 9, 2025 at 2:00 pm – TICKETS LIMITED!
St. Andrew’s United Church, Halifax
Featuring Steven Devine, leader/harpsichord; Casey Granofsky, flute; Symphony Nova Scotia

On the program:

• Georg Philipp Telemann: Overture in F Major, TWV 55:F3
• Georg Philipp Telemann: Overture in D Major, TWV 55:D18
• Johann Sebastian Bach: Orchestral Suite No. 2 in B Minor
• Johann Sebastian Bach: Concerto for Harpsichord in D Minor, BWV 1059

Tickets: $58 & up or just $25 for under-30s and students (HST incl. plus fees)

THE PIANO MEN: STILL ROCK ‘N ROLL
Friday, March 21, 2025 at 7:30 pm
Saturday, March 22, 2025 at 7:30 pm
Sunday, March 23, 2025 at 2:00 pm
The Rebecca Cohn Auditorium, Halifax
Featuring Jim Witter, piano/vocals; Greg Burton, conductor; Symphony Nova Scotia
Presented by The Berkeley and The Wave

On the program:

• Orchestral arrangements of Billy Joel and Elton John’s classic hits like It’s Still Rock and Roll to Me, Goodbye Yellow Brick Road, You May Be Right, Sad Songs, and more.

Tickets: $42 & up (HST incl. plus fees)

BEETHOVEN & DANIEL BOLSHOY’S GUITAR
Thursday, March 27, 2025 at 7:30 pm
The Rebecca Cohn Auditorium, Halifax
Friday, March 28, 2025 at 7:30 pm
Beacon United Church, Yarmouth
Saturday, March 29, 2025 at 7:30 pm
St. John’s Anglican Church, Lunenburg
Featuring Earl Lee, conductor; Daniel Bolshoy, guitar; Symphony Nova Scotia

On the program:

• Carlos Simon: Fate Now Conquers
• Joaquín Rodrigo: Concierto de Aranjuez
• Chris Brubeck: Affinity: Concerto for Guitar and Orchestra
• Ludwig van Beethoven: Symphony No. 2

Halifax tickets: $42 & up, $25 under-30s/students (HST incl. plus fees) at symphonynovascotia.ca.
Yarmouth tickets: $40 general, $10 students (HST incl.) at tickettailor.com.
Lunenburg tickets: $31.50 (HST incl.) at canadahelps.org.

For more information about Symphony Nova Scotia’s concerts, visit symphonynovascotia.ca.

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ABOUT SYMPHONY NOVA SCOTIA

Symphony Nova Scotia is Nova Scotia’s orchestra, championing symphonic music in the province for over 40 years. With a home base in Halifax/Kjipuktuk and performances across the province, Symphony Nova Scotia is proud to be a vibrant, vital part of Nova Scotia’s rich cultural community. From spectacular orchestral concerts to free family events, youth and seniors’ activities, and educational partnerships, Symphony Nova Scotia creates unforgettable experiences with truly great music. Visit symphonynovascotia.ca to learn more.

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For more information, please contact:

Janice Fuller
Senior Editor
Symphony Nova Scotia
902.421.5264
[email protected]
symphonynovascotia.ca