Calgary Classical

On Sunday, March 8, Early Music Voices invites audiences to an intimate and emotionally charged sound world. Titled "Scorrete lagrime mie"— Flow, my tears — this niche program dwells in the fragile, expressive language of early seventeenth-century Italy, where music breathes, weeps, and sighs with human vulnerability.

At the heart of the program is a question both historical and visceral: how closely can an instrument resemble the human voice?

In the early baroque era, the trombone — then known as the sackbut — was prized for its uncanny vocal quality. Its ability to shape phrases with subtle articulation, shading, and colour made it a natural partner for singers and sacred repertoire. Few artists today explore that lineage as compellingly as German baroque trombonist Maximilien Brisson, a leading specialist in historical trombones.

For Scorrete lagrime mie, Brisson performs sometimes as a solitary voice, sometimes intertwined with Calgary soprano Hannah Pagenkopf - Soprano , and sometimes in dramatic contrast. The program illuminates how composers blurred the boundary between vocal and instrumental music, allowing each to reflect and heighten the other.

Read full story: https://calgaryclassical.ca/feature/131-Tears,-Voice,-and-Bronze

For conductor Gareth Jones and the players of the Alberta Winds , each concert evening starts with questions:

– What music from around the world can show off the formidable talent contained within Calgary’s collective of wind, brass and percussion players?
–What music from Canadian composers can the band showcase?
–What emotional link is there between different pieces of music on the program?

Alberta Winds President Jonathan Gresl says putting together a program is like putting together a meal at a Michelin starred restaurant. “Music can contain many emotions, and we work to balance them carefully over the course of the concert."

Winter is a good time to look up at the dark sky, and as Canadians turn their interest to a new launch to the moon, it is the perfect moment for a concert that explores our interest in space, and what that means for all of us down here on Earth.

Some of this music is quite literal; Winnipeg based composer Peter Meechan’s “ISS Flyover” is propulsive, energetic music that reflects the speed and energy of the International Space Station’s movement as perceived from the ground.

Brooke Pierson’s “Moons of Jupiter” suite is a cinematic portrayal of the far-off worlds that have fascinated humanity for more than 400 years.

The program doesn’t ignore the Earth, “Riverbend” depicts a very particular place, Riverbend Drive in Kitchener, Ontario. Mathew Emery’s music is directly inspired by the many minute details that only someone intimately connected with a place would notice. Emery says his piece is all about “notions of noticing, looking, and listening.”

Mathew Emery is known as one of Canada’s most performed choral composers and Riverbend is his first piece for wind ensemble. Conductor Gareth Jones is very pleased to give the piece a second performance mere months after it was introduced in Waterloo last year. “Part of our mission is to show that our music is a living and growing art form, and that Canadian composers are continually writing wonderful new works well worth hearing."

Wind Ensemble music has been overshadowed by music for orchestra and other instrumental ensembles, but the combination of direct emotional appeal and expert skill showcased in this genre of music means it is immediately accessible to any music lover.

Music for DARK SKIES takes place on Sunday, February 8, 2026 at 7 p.m. at Christ Church Elbow Park. More info through https://albertawinds.ca/concerts/

This January, Calgary audiences have the opportunity to experience one of classical music’s most profound and intimate journeys. Luminous Voices , Calgary’s two-time JUNO-nominated professional chamber choir, presents Franz Schubert’s "Winterreise" at Bella Concert Hall.

Composed in 1827, "Winterreise" (Winter Journey) is a timeless exploration of the human heart, traversing despair, memories of the past, and the shadow of mortality — including Schubert’s own. The song cycle follows a solitary wanderer through a frozen landscape, confronting heartbreak, longing, and reflection. Schubert’s haunting melodies, set to Wilhelm Müller’s poetry, capture the quiet intensity of human emotion and our enduring connection to the natural world. In Gregor Meyer’s reimagined arrangement, these songs gain fresh harmonic colours, offering audiences a new perspective on a work that has captivated listeners for nearly two centuries.

The performance features acclaimed Italian-Canadian baritone Brett Polegato alongside Alberta-born pianist Kathleen Van Mourik, who bring insight, nuance, and emotional depth to this iconic song cycle. Polegato has appeared on the world’s leading stages — including the Metropolitan Opera, La Scala, Carnegie Hall, and Wigmore Hall — collaborating with renowned conductors such as Yannick Nézet-Séguin, Andris Nelsons, and Bernard Haitink. Van Mourik, celebrated for her expressive interpretation, also serves as the artistic director of the Mountain View Connection & Festival of Song and Chamber Music. Together, they offer a rare combination of artistry, sensitivity, and resonance.

Immediately following the concert, Luminous Voices hosts an intimate post-concert conversation and reception. Polegato and Van Mourik will be joined by Timothy Shantz, Luminous Voices singers, and board members for informal discussion and reflection. Tickets are $30, including a complimentary drink, providing an opportunity to meet the artists, share thoughts on the performance, and linger in the beauty of this song cycle.

Luminous Voices’ Winterreise take place on Sunday, January 25, 2026, at 3 PM at Bella Concert Hall, Taylor Centre for the Performing Arts, Mount Royal University. More info & tickets: https://tickets.mru.ca/eventperformances.asp?evt=291

Our first concert of the year is in just two weeks! Join us on January 25 at the Bella Concert Hall for WINTERREISE.

Gregor Meyer’s arrangement of Schubert’s famous song-cycle breathes new harmonies into this timeless mid-winter classic. Don’t miss the opportunity to hear Brett Polegato, one of Canada’s finest baritones, perform along with pianist Kathleen Van Mourik and Luminous Voices. Schubert’s melodies set to the poetry of Wilhelm Mühller will take you on a journey through hope and despair, connection and loneliness, where the divine is replaced by the natural world and the individual finds solace in the mind.

We're also pleased to announce that tickets are now on sale for a post-concert reception in the Atelier room. This VIP experience includes a complementary beverage, and features an exclusive conversation with Brett and Kathleen. Artistic Director Tim Shantz, the Luminous Voices singers, and board members will also be in attendance. It’s a great opportunity to gain new insights on this compelling work, and to engage with the artists in an intimate and relaxed setting.

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