By Chris L. Butler
This winter has wrapped a cold blanket around the city! But don’t worry — your Calgary Phil has got a dynamic duo of concerts coming up that will warm your spirits! Transport yourself to musical realms and soulful sounds from around the world. Each performance, a masterpiece in its own right, curated to stir emotions, provoke thought, and ignite your passion for the symphonic experience.
Montgomery + Mesa
2 February 2024
Guest conductor Andrés González leads a poignant exploration of beauty amidst chaos in a concert featuring music from the dynamic composer Jessie Montgomery. Her piece, Divided, prompts introspection into the human spirit’s resilience in turbulent times. Guest cellist Cuban-American Tommy Mesa adds his virtuosity to both Divided and Tchaikovsky’s Rococo variations, creating a seamless fusion of contemporary and classical. Plus, Iman Habibi’s Jeder Baum Spricht stands as a powerful response to the urgency of our climate crisis, while Dvořák’s Eighth Symphony invites you to revel in the timeless celebration of the pastoral ideal. This concert is a sonic tapestry that blends past and present, chaos and beauty, creating an experience that resonates long after the final note.
Artists
ANDRÉS GONZÁLEZ conductor
TOMMY MESA cello
CALGARY PHILHARMONIC ORCHESTRA
On Stage with Alex Cuba
10 February 2024
Last, but certainly not least — we invite you to shed the winter chill and immerse yourself in the vibrant sounds of Alex Cuba, the Grammy Award-winning Cuban-Canadian singer-songwriter. Don’t miss Alex’s Calgary Phil debut where he will bring his unique blend of sweet melodies, soulful hooks, and powerful guitar riffs to the stage, colliding with the kaleidoscope of energy from your Calgary Phil.
The magic between Alex Cuba and the orchestra creates a genre-defying experience of jazz, funk, and pop that promises to be as unpredictable as it is thrilling. Winner of the 2022 Grammy Award for Best Latin Pop album, Alex Cuba is set to turn the concert hall into a melting pot of music, leaving the audience grooving to the rhythm of this unforgettable fusion.
Artists
ALEXANDRA ARRIECHE conductor
ALEX CUBA vocals + guitar
CALGARY PHILHARMONIC ORCHESTRA
Your Calgary Philharmonic Orchestra invites you to embark on a musical journey spaning continents, genres, and emotions. Get ready to be moved, inspired, and electrified as these three extraordinary performances come to life, promising an escape from winter’s chill into a world of symphonic enchantment.