EMOTIONAL ENCOUNTERS concert series: “Conflicted” – The Unanswered Question

Conductor: James Sherlock
Charles Ives: The Unanswered Question, S. 50

Jean Françaix: Dixtuor
Frank Bridge: Lament, H.117
Edgar Varèse: Octandre
Frank Martin: Concerto for Seven Wind Instruments, Timpani, Percussion and Strings

The soloistic spotlight falls on chamber ensembles formed from the orchestra’s own ranks, under the baton of a new conducting collaborator, James Sherlock. This five-work series offers a fascinating look at different 20th-century compositional styles at a moment when composers were exploring the future directions of art music. Ives creates a philosophical dialogue between instrumental groups, Françaix chooses humour as his stylistic tool, Bridge voices his opposition to war through music, Varèse focuses on playful rhythms, and Martin brings together elements of past and present. Each composer inspires the listener in his own way and leads us into a world of intriguing musical colours.