Jeffrey Pollock, Music Director

Sinfonia Masala

March 21, 2025 at 7:00pm

Indian Classical music meets Western Classical music!  Sinfonia Ancaster’s first concert of 2025 brings a vibrant blend of musical traditions, taking its inspiration from masala (Indian spice mix), as it fuses Indian Classical music and Western orchestral sounds.

Meri Sakhi Ki Avaaz (My Sister’s Voice) by Reena Esmail is the centrepiece of the concert, a gorgeous work that beautifully blends the emotionally expressive vocabulary of the Indian raga tradition with the sounds of a symphony orchestra, and featuring two award-winning sopranos: the multi-faceted and ground-breaking Vidita Kanniks and Bethany Hörst, recipient of the Jacquleine Desmarais Award. Hamilton-based tabla player Sajan Prem takes a star turn in Testament, another Esmail work that weaves a tale of emotions and cultures.

The concert ends with Antonin Dvořák’s cheerful and boisterous Symphony No. 8!

  • Jean Sibelius – Belshazzar’s Feast
  • Reena Esmail – Testament, with Sajan Prem, tabla
  • Reena Esmail – Meri Sakhi Ki Avaaz (My Sister’s Voice), with Vidita Kanniks, Indian classical singer; Bethany Hörst, soprano
  • Antonin Dvorak – Symphony No. 8

PRE-CONCERT TALK: Come to the lobby at 6:00 pm before the concert to hear Jeff, Vidita and Bethany discuss points of connection between Western and Indian classical music traditions.

Vidita Kanniks, Indian classical singer
Vidita Kanniks, Indian classical singer
Bethany Hörst, soprano
Bethany Hörst, soprano
Sajan Prem, tabla
Sajan Prem, tabla

Let’s Dance!

May 9, 2025 at 7:00pm

A dance party, orchestra style! Glorious ballet music by Gounod and Tchaikovsky anchor this concert’s first half. After intermission, a “mix tape” of social dances that includes Márquez’ irresistible Danzón #2 will have you grooving in your seats!

  • Cesare Pugni – Pas de Quatre
  • Pyotre Illyich Tchaikovsky – Swan Lake Theme and Waltz
  • Peter Warlock – Capriol Suite
  • Samuel Coleridge-Taylor – Danse nègre
  • Florence Price – Juba Dance from Symphony No. 1
  • Arturo Marquez – Danzón #2