Pratik Gandhi, conductor

One week from tonight!!

Thrilled to be conducting the wonderful Cathedral Bluffs Symphony Orchestra next month. I'm especially excited to collaborate with Odawa First Nations composer Barbara Croall on her piece "Nimkii N'gamwin" with the orchestra. It's going to be a great show! https://www.facebook.com/events/184197629631775/

Although his recent comments on female conductors (later recanted) had turned me off of him in the last couple of years, Mariss Jansons was for a long time one of my favourite conductors, and I still have a lot of respect for his musicality. His recording of Mahler's 2nd with the Oslo Philharmonic is still for me the foremost recording of that work, and although this isn't that one, it's still excellent. Jansons died yesterday at his home at the age of 76.

Heading to Ottawa today to begin rehearsals for this weekend's premiere of The Great War Sextet: Canadian War Poetry with Trombone and Strings. Composer Benjamin Sajo has set six wartime poems by soldiers on the front lines during WWI into a concert-length work for solo trombone (Felix del Tredici) and string quintet. Excited to dive into this fascinating work! If you're in Ottawa and want to come check it out, performances are Saturday @ Arts Court Theatre and Sunday @ Mackay United Church (both 7:30pm). Details at the page above.

Still reeling from last Friday's incredible concerts, sharing the podium with Johan de Meij and accompanying Joe Alessi in his signature encore. Grateful to the Toronto Youth Wind Orchestra - TYWO organization for the opportunity and to its musicians for pulling off an amazing concert!