The recording of the Arctic Symphony includes actual Arctic environmental sounds provided by Derek Charke.
Performer Biography
Dame Evelyn Glennie played the first percussion concerto in the history of The Proms at the Albert Hall in 1992, which helped pave the way for other orchestras to feature percussion concertos.
Composition History
Vincent Ho's Arctic Symphony was inspired by his 2008 visit to the Arctic region as part of an 'Artist on Board' program, where he observed climate change studies and indigenous cultures.
Performer Biography
Dame Evelyn Glennie, the percussionist on this album, is the first person in history to successfully create and sustain a full-time career as a solo percussionist.
Composer Biography
Vincent Ho, the composer, served as the Winnipeg Symphony Orchestra's composer-in-residence from 2007-2014, during which he presented several large-scale works.
Composer's Artistic Vision
Vincent Ho, the composer, views Dame Evelyn Glennie as a modern-day shaman, capable of drawing audiences into a magical world beyond material existence.
Compositional Technique
The Arctic Symphony incorporates indigenous music, with 'Qauma' and 'Inuit Sivuniksangat' performed by the Nunavut Sivuniksavut Performers, serving as bookends to the Arctic musical journey.
