Putting the Accent on Education Robert Rival, Resident Composer of the ESO
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IN CONCERT Putting the accent on education Robert Rival, resident composer of the ESO “For a composer writing concert music, thorough process, involving many organi- Of course, central to Rival’s two-year there’s nothing more exciting than being zational layers of the orchestra.” residency appointment is composing for the resident composer of a professional Already, Rival has a promising composi- the ESO: his job requires him to write orchestra.” tional résumé: his music has been played by two pieces a year for the orchestra. His These are the words of Robert Rival, Toronto’s Gryphon Trio, it’s been broad- commitment to the orchestra doesn’t who’s been the resident composer of cast on CBC radio, and he was a featured currently allow him much time for other the Edmonton Symphony Orchestra composer last year at the Windsor projects. Just before he took up his new since last September. Symphony Orchestra’s Canadian Music position in September, he finished a string “For one thing,” the 36-year-old sextet that was commissioned by the composer continues, “the fact that you’re “There’s nothing more CBC. Then he plunged into the world of on-site for all the rehearsals and perfor- orchestral composition. mances gives these events more weight.” exciting than being the Since then he’s finished a tone-poem Rival is the third person to serve as resident composer of a called Achilles and Scamander, to be pre- resident composer of the ESO, succeeding miered at Edmonton’s Winspear Centre Allan Gilliland and John Estacio. And professional orchestra.” by the ESO on March 31. That will be his move from Toronto to Edmonton last closely followed by his Lullaby – which year, following the completion of a doctor- Festival. But one of the things that gave will first be heard in New York on May 8, ate in music composition at the University him an edge with the ESO, he believes, when the ESO appears at Carnegie Hall’s ON of Toronto, was something of a home- was his commitment to music education. Spring For Music Festival. MS coming for him. Rival is a native Albertan, “I feel strongly about the educational “The first half of the program will born in Calgary – although he doesn’t components of the job,” Rival explains. be all-Canadian: pieces by John Estacio, NDRÉE SA NDRÉE A think that helped him land his job. “Every year we select one or two young com- Allan Gilliland and me,” says Rival, “When I applied, I don’t think they posers from high schools to write a piece, with a justifiable touch of pride in his knew where I was from,” he points out. and it gets performed at an outdoor festival. voice. “I think it’s heartening that we’re “There was an open call for applications, A background in education and teaching devoting half of the program to living PHOTO: CHANTAL- PHOTO: and about 50 composers applied. It was a is something that I brought to the table.” Canadian composers.” —COLIN EATOCK Words+Music 9.