Works by Harman, Lutosławski and Stockhausen.

Two major names in the history of twentieth-century music, Stockhausen and Lutoslawski, come together with Canadian Chris Paul Harman in this programme directed by Alexis Hauser at the podium of one of the most highly reputed student orchestras in Canada.

Tierkreis is one of Stockhausen’s most popular works. Made up of twelve melodies inspired by the zodiac signs, it allows for much freedom of instrumentation for the performers and has been given in multiple versions the world over. The Fünf Sternzeichen (five signs excerpted from Tierkreis) are presented here as a North American premiere in a new arrangement dating from 2004 for chamber ensemble.

With folk material deriving from the centre of Masovian Poland, and clear and direct language couple with brilliant orchestration, Lutoslawski’s Concerto for Orchestra has already become a pillar of the symphonic repertoire. Composed in 1950, its freshness continues to resonate with audiences of our day.

On a different note, Chris Paul Harman will lead listeners to the kingdom of fairy tales. His work, Otogi no kuni E… is inspired by the Japanese folksong “The Little Princess” and features the extraordinary and multi-talented cellist Matt Haimovitz accompanied by an orchestra of incredible sounds: accordion, cimbalom, celesta, toy piano, harp, guitar, and steel drums combine with the regular instruments of the McGill Symphony.