Eric Paetkau bids adieu to SSO with Mahler Symphony 4
It seems fitting that for his final bow at the podium as music director, Eric Paetkau would choose a little romance.
Paetkau says Mahler is the perfect way to say goodbye. (Julie Isaac Photography)
“Gustav Mahler said, ‘A symphony must be like the world. It must contain everything!’ and that’s how I feel about this performance,” Patekau says. “You can’t sum up all seven years in one piece but, if any composer can pay tribute to the relationships and experiences I’ve had here, for me that’s Mahler. It’s the perfect way to pay tribute to my time here in Saskatoon.”
In March, Paetkau announce that this performance would be his last as music director with the Saskatoon Symphony Orchestra. It left many feeling a bit nostalgic and very grateful.
“He started bringing up the musicianship, the calibre the self-respect and the capacity and I came back because I was impressed. I loved the music that was being made.”
“For a long time, I wasn’t interested in the orchestra, didn’t have much faith in it,” says musician and SSO Board Chair Doug Gilmour. “Then Eric started with the orchestra in 2015, started bringing up the musicianship, the calibre the self-respect and the capacity and I came back because I was impressed. I loved the music that was being made.”
“He’s been a joy to make music for”
“He’s been a joy to make music for,” says principal oboist Erin Brophy. “He made me nervous every rehearsal, every concert because I wanted to please him so much. That helped me to reach a greater height as a performer, which is an incredible gift.”
Whether on stage, online or in line at the grocery Paetkau has connected with the community during his tenure. He introduced classical music to a new generation incorporating film into pops concerts like Disney’s The Little Mermaid and Bugs Bunny. When the pandemic shut down concert halls, Paetkau went digital with his online “Meet the Musicians in Your Neighbourhood” series.
“He involved himself in the community in a great way and never threw up barriers between him and the audience.”
“He wanted everyone to feel like they were a part of it,” says CEO Mark Turner. “He was always ready to go in and do things at the university. He involved himself in the community in a great way and never threw up barriers between him and the audience.”
Mahler Symphony 4 will feature Juno nominated soprano Miriam Khalil. Paetkau expects it to be an uplifting and emotional performance.
“I’ve formed bonds with the musicians, the audience, and the city and that’s what I’ll always cherish. It’s exciting for me and sad.”
“I think it’s a wonderful time to hand the reins over,” he says. “I love when there’s new blood, new ideas. I feel as a team we’ve done so many wonderful things. It’s time for me to explore something new. I’ve formed bonds with the musicians, the audience, and the city and that’s what I’ll always cherish. It’s exciting for me and sad.”
In her farewell message to Paetkau, long-time audience member Carol Greyeyes says it best.
“Art is ephemeral. Yes, things come to an end – they happen, they disappear. But the experiences he’s given us will last a lifetime.”
