ESO introduces Interim Concertmasters

Musical First Chairs for 2009/10 Performance Season

Edmonton, AB ’Ķ Last season, the Edmonton Symphony Orchestra (ESO) announced that Concertmaster Martin Riseley would be taking a leave of absence in 2009/10. The New Zealand native has returned to his homeland to take advantage of a rare teaching opportunity with the New Zealand School of Music in Wellington.

This season, three of the ESO's fine corps of first violinists will act as Interim Concertmasters. Broderyck ’ÄúBroddy’Äù Olson, Eric Buchmann, and Richard Caldwell will each sit in the Concertmaster's chair.

’ÄúWe have an enormous resource of talent in this orchestra,’Äù says ESO Music Director William Eddins, ’Äúand in the end, we decided to take full advantage of it. Broddy, Eric, and Richard all bring something different to the table, and each is an experienced and skilled leader. I’Äôm looking forward to having the opportunity to work with each of them in the hot seat.’Äù

Broddy Olson is the longest-serving member of the orchestra, and the ESO’Äôs Assistant Concertmaster from 1966 until this year. Eric Buchmann joined the ESO in April 2006, and brings a wealth of experience with him. Richard Caldwell has been with the ESO since 1973, and has led numerous ensembles, most notably as one of the founding members of the Edmonton Chamber Orchestra (ECHO).

Aside from being the Principal First Violin, an orchestra Concertmaster acts as the player-leader of the orchestra, most particularly for the strings. He or she is responsible for bowings, which ensure the strings perform in unison to create the cohesive sound so crucial for the section of the orchestra that has the most musicians. Traditionally, the Concertmaster is the last musician to come out prior to the conductor, and is greeted with applause from the audience, prior to his/her leading the musicians in their final tuning before the concert begins.

Mr. Riseley returns to Edmonton to perform with the ESO on September 18th & 19th, 2009, in the Classic Landmarks Masters series opener The Red Violin. On January 14th, 2010, Martin will present some of his favorite ’Äúparty pieces’Äù for violin and orchestra, including music by Tchaikovsky, Gershwin, Saint-Saˆ´ns, Kreisler, Khachaturian, and Wieniawski in Violinissimo! Music Director Bill Eddins will conduct both programs.

For more details on the ESO’Äôs 2009/10 performance season and to purchase tickets, visit www.edmontonsymphony.com.