Iconic Canadiana and classic holiday music combine at the Ottawa Symphony's The Hockey Sweater
The Ottawa Symphony Orchestra, a local institution entertaining classical music lovers in one iteration or another since 1965, is thrilled to be performing its first holiday concert in recent memory. On Dec. 18, the orchestra will delight guests with an eclectic mix sure to appeal to audiences of all ages.
As the third concert for 2022-23, The Hockey Sweater is nestled nicely in the middle of the OSO’S programming this season — and audiences may just find that same warm cocoon at the concert hall. “A good holiday concert is like that perfect cup of cocoa with three marshmallows, served hot but not piping, as you bask by the fire,” says Kingston Symphony music director Evan Mitchell, who will be conducting the symphony for the event. “This concert fits the bill perfectly, with offerings both familiar and surprising.”
Mitchell certainly isn’t exaggerating about those surprises; the repertoire of The Hockey Sweater covers a vast array of offerings, with everything from wellknown holiday tunes and nursery rhymes to Klezmer music, the instrumental tradition of the Ashkenazi Jews of Central and Eastern Europe. Says Mitchell of the program, “Leroy Anderson’s Sleigh Ride makes
an appearance, but so does Adam Shugar’s magnificent
and virtuosic Hanukkah Overture, with a midway astonishing reveal. Then, we’ll witness Mozart colliding with Christmas carols!” Mitchell refers here to Robert Wendel’s Overture to a Merry Christmas, which is based on Mozart’s famous Overture to the Marriage of Figaro.
While there is no shortage of exciting music to enjoy at this event, one of the major highlights — and a thrill for hockey lovers of all ages — is sure to be the titular piece
itself. The Hockey Sweater, written by Canadian composer Abigail Richardson-schulte
and inspired by the beloved children’s book by Roch Carrier, will feature three-time Paralympic medallist and sledge hockey player Todd Nicholson narrating the iconic story while accompanied by the orchestra.
Not to be outshone, another enchanting piece in The Hockey Sweater’s program is Micheal Conway Baker’s harp concerto, which will be performed by 2022 Senécal Prize winner Amaëlle Savary. Now in its fourth year, the prize affords one young musician a unique and coveted opportunity to perform an instrumental solo before a live audience while accompanied by the orchestra.
Also on the program are Engelbert Humperdinck’s Overture to Hansel and Gretel and Maurice Ravel’s Ma mère l’oye (Mother Goose), which ends with a finale that Mitchell describes as “pure rapture.”
“We hope you’ll join us to enjoy this seasonal bounty,” adds Mitchell. “Make sure to eat irresponsibly.”
While the programming of The Hockey Sweater has plenty to get audiences excited about, the OSO still has two more concerts planned for the second half of the season that are sure to entice. In 2023, To the Girl Who Wants to Compose, with an International Woman’s Day inspired program, will be performed on March 5. Then, on April 2, the second Sunday Socials of the season will finish off the 2022-23 season. Part of the Ottawa Symphony Orchestra – Carleton University Classical Performance and Coaching Program, now in its second year, this smaller — but no less captivating — chamber concert will feature five OSO wind players and their student mentees playing sideby-side.
The Hockey Sweater takes place on Dec. 18 at 3:30 p.m. at the Carleton Dominion-chalmers Centre, located at 290 Lisgar St. in Centretown. Tickets for all concerts can be purchased at ottawasymphony.com/ events, or by giving the box office a call at 613-231-7802. Tickets are also available at the venue starting one hour before each performance.