Kitchener, Ontario – September 8th, 2021 – The KWS announced highly-awaited 2021/22 season on its website this morning at 10am EDT featuring Digital Concerts broadcast throughout the fall.
The Kitchener-Waterloo Symphony (KWS) is ready to perform once again this fall for orchestra-hungry audiences, both locally and around the globe, with a new line-up of inspiring digital concerts. Tickets are now on sale at www.kwsymphony.ca<http://www.
Maestro Andrei Feher leads the KWS in his fourth season as Music Director with works by Beethoven, Berlioz, and Prokofiev and is joined by audience favourites Lucas Waldin, David Greilsammer, and Evan Mitchell for an assortment of toe-tapping programs with guest artists from across Canada. Beyond classical selections are musical styles that span the traditional tunes of New Orleans’ Bourbon Street to the folksy groove of Simon & Garfunkel. And, of course, Yuletide Spectacular, a holiday favourite that has become tradition for many families across the region is set to broadcast in the middle of the holiday season.
“Our musicians are so excited to get back to work and share with you the sheer joy of music-making in a safe environment.” said KWS Executive Director Andrew Bennett. “We miss your applause and look forward to having you as our guests in the coming months. Until then, please enjoy our specially crafted performances in the comfort of your home”.
All online concerts are recorded live at Centre In The Square and broadcast online directly to ticketholder’s homes. The KWS digital concerts are crafted with high-quality audio, video, and impressive multi-camera shots that gives viewers a unique concert experience.
Online streams begin at 8 pm ET on the evening of the concert and are made available to watch on-demand until 11:59 pm ET on Sunday of the same weekend. Multiple prices are available for the online concert streams, adding flexibility and allowing audiences to choose their price.
“As we navigate the seemingly ever-changing regulations, predictions, and public health situations, we have planned a 2021/22 season which maintains flexibility, ensuring we can respond to the evolving rules and to our patrons’ needs.” says Bennett. “Our aim is to meet and respect everyone’s needs when opening our performances to live, in-person audiences once we have collective confidence that we are doing the right thing for our patrons, musicians, and staff”.
Maestro Feher emphasized the incredible warmth he’s seen from symphony supporters over the past 18 months: “From the bottom of my heart: thank you, thank you, thank you. Your patience, well wishes, and generosity this past year have been crucial to our continuity and have energized us to reaffirm our commitment to inspiring and uniting the Kitchener-Waterloo community through music.”
Tickets can be purchased at www.kwsymphony.ca<http://www.
KWS 2021/22 Fall Digital Concert Line-Up
Parade on Bourbon Street
Friday, October 15th, 2021 | 8PM
Lucas Waldin, Conductor
Michael Kaeshammer, Piano
Boogie down to Bourbon Street with virtuoso Canadian pianist Michael Kaeshammer and a KWS Pops favourite, conductor Lucas Waldin. Featuring New Orleans standards like The Saints Go Marching In, St. James Infirmary, and The Basin Street Blues, this program brings a fresh take to music of the Big Easy.
Beethoven and Prokofiev
Friday, October 29th, 2021 | 8PM
Andrei Feher, Conductor
Kerson Leong, Violin
Prokofiev: Concerto No.2 in G minor
Beethoven: Symphony No.7 in A major
Andrei Feher’s fourth season as Music Director opens with impassioned gusto of timeless composers. Joined by Canadian Violinist Kerson Leong, Prokofiev’s Violin Concerto No. 2 is both chilling and tender, filled with furiously virtuosic violin passages. The most exuberant of his symphonies, Beethoven’s visceral Symphony No. 7 has appealed to audiences since its première. A contrast between musical optimism and grave, somber tones, it builds to the irrepressible whirling energy of the finale.
Awakenings
Friday, November 19th, 2021 | 8PM
Andrei Feher, Conductor
Julie Boulianne, Mezzo-Soprano
Berlioz: Les nuits d’été
Ana Sokolovic: Ringelspiel
Tomasi: Fanfares liturgiques
Dreamy. Celestial. Sublime! French-Canadian mezzo-soprano Julie Boulianne explores all corners of these gossamer soundscapes in Berlioz’s song cycle Les nuits d’eté. Henri Tomasi’s Fanfares liturgiques, sourced from an early opera by the composer, depicts scenes of Christian funeral processions and divine awakenings. Ana Sokolovic navigates the nostalgia and naïveté of the machine-age in her depictions of a merry-go-round in Ringelspiel.
Feelin’ Groovy: Simon & Garfunkel
Friday, December 3rd, 2021 | 8PM
Evan Mitchell, Conductor
Jim Witter, Soloist
After amazing audiences with his Piano Men concert, Jim Witter returns by popular demand with a brand-new show featuring the music of Simon and Garfunkel. Take a musical journey through the 60s and 70s with timeless songs such as Bye Bye Love, Cecilia, Mrs. Robinson, and Slip Slidin’ Away. Get ready to let your hair down and kick off your shoes!
Yuletide Spectacular
Friday, December 17th, 2021 | 8PM
Evan Mitchell, Conductor
KWS audience favourite Evan Mitchell returns to lead Waterloo Region’s cherished holiday tradition – a spectacle of Christmas favourites, singers, dances, choirs, and special guests. After their impressive debut two seasons ago, the Waterloo Region Mass Choir returns with their powerful, uplifting voices together with the Grand Philharmonic Choir to spread the joy of the season.
Elegance and Emotion
Friday, January 7th, 2021 | 8PM
David Greilsammer, Conductor/Piano
Rameau: Platée: Suite de danses
Ravel: Piano Concerto in G Major
Schubert: Symphony No. 4 in C minor, Tragic
A night of elegance and light-heartedness awaits in this concert of spirited works that are full of vitality. Though sometimes called Tragic, Schubert’s sublime Symphony No. 4 contains as much bubbly, youthful vigor as it does tragedy. Heavily influenced by jazz, Ravel’s Piano Concerto is light, fanciful, and in the spirit of Mozart. Rameau’s vivid and animated suite is a far cry from the refined and poised French courtly dances of the time.
