Doctors, lawyers, engineers, nurses and teachers are just a few of the members of the
Calgary Philharmonic Chorus. Being a part of one of Canada’s only professional orchestras with a dedicated
chorus isn’t limited to professional musicians. In many ways, the success of the orchestra has been a
community effort.
Made up of about 130 voluntary singers, the chorus is led by accomplished tenor soloist
and performer Timothy Shantz. The Calgary Philharmonic Chorus was established in 1963 and often
accompanies the orchestra on stage for about 10 shows per season. Tackling diverse genres including pop,
oratorio, opera, light classics and contemporary, their upcoming concerts include Summertime: Gershwin in
Song and Arabian Nights, both in February.
But soon, the Mahler’s Resurrection Symphony concert in April will be the focal
attention. As one of the most important, most rarely performed symphonies, the concert will have over 300
musicians and vocalists on stage, creating a highly powerful sound for the audience. “We’re bringing in extra
singers for the performance. You can only imagine the effect of having hundreds of singers. The audience
feels a personal, immediate connection because they think, ‘That could be me up there,’” says Shantz, chorus
master of the Calgary Philharmonic Orchestra (CPO).
The other half of the equation, the orchestra, has already begun preparing for the
event. As an ardent admirer of Mahler’s Resurrection Symphony, music director Roberto Minczuk is more than
excited for the concert. “This is one of the greatest symphonies ever written. It’s a monumental work and
it’s breathtaking. It’s one of those over-powering, overwhelming pieces saved for very special events,” he
says. The orchestra will be double its size in this concert, held to commemorate the 100th anniversary of the
death of legendary Austrian composer Gustav Mahler.
The symphony was last played in Calgary about 10 years ago. It’s not a piece of music
that’s performed every season, which makes it a must-see show whenever it is performed. “It’s a story
about religious faith and believing in the resurrection of death. This symphony is symbolic and
believes in life after death,” says Minczuk.
Due to the magnificent number of musicians, the orchestra is divided into groups for
rehearsals. Naturally, this outstanding piece of music has an outstanding music hall accompanying it — the
Jack Singer Concert Hall at the Epcor Centre. Designed by Artec Consultants and known as one of the most
beautiful, acoustically acclaimed venues in North America, the concert hall’s rectangular design, famed
Carthy Organ, massive stage and acoustical canopy coalesce to create a stimulating auditory experience for
the audience.
In
its 55th year, the CPO continues to expand and grow, all the while taking on first-class symphonies and
attaining international attention. “To do this, you have to have a lot of emotional and physical endurance
and that’s the challenge. Symphonies are like a film you’re telling through music. It’s up to us, the
artists, to bring them to life,” says Minczuk. •
The Calgary Philharmonic Orchestra and Chorus perform Mahler’s Resurrection Symphony on April 29 and 30.
For more information on the orchestra, their concerts and tickets, visit cpo-live.com.
Photo courtesy Calgary Philharmonic Orchestra
