When I ask about the dress code at a classical music recital “for a friend,” you know I’m asking for myself. And when Sarah Ho, artistic director of the Edmonton Recital Society, tells me that there’s no need to reflect the style of concertmasters, I feel so relieved.
The Edmonton Recital Society (ERS) has been offering outstanding and innovative concerts in the city since 2006. Many of the musicians have ties to Edmonton. This May, they are welcoming Canada’s New Orford String Quartet’s return to Edmonton for the first time since 2017, featuring Edmontonian Violinist Andrew Wan.
“We’re very excited to see a combination of old favourites and newly composed music in this program,” says Ho. “All four of the musicians are equally stellar. They’ve all been leading performances in major Canadian orchestras, and now these elite musicians are bringing their electrifying quartet to smaller cities and regions.”
As the ERS gives musicians as much freedom in programs as they can, its main objective is to provide profound recital in an intimate setting. In the upcoming performance of the New Orford String Quartet, the audience sits in the cozy and bright Muttart Hall at MacEwan University.
“No dress code. No pre-requisite knowledge. All are welcome!” chuckles Ho, who also encourages me to sit in the front row to feel the emotions of the musicians and understand they are real, heartfelt humans, who respect their audience as much as we do them.
Experience an elegant night of music with the New Orford String Quartet May 13 at Muttart Hall. Tickets are also available at the door.
