John Burge

Instrumentation: 2222/4231/Timp+2Perc/Strings

Commissioner: Kingston Symphony Association

Premiere: March 23, 1997, Grand Theatre, Kingston, Ontario, Kingston Symphony Association, Geln Fast, conductor

Duration: 13 minutes

Program Notes: Snowdrift is a short, single-movement work for full orchestra.  On a descriptive level, the work musically conveys the title's image in two ways: the limitation of the work's pitch cocntent to the white notes of the piano and the compositional reliance on a slowly evolving orchestral texture.  At a much deeper evel, the work appears to be typically Canadian: resourceful in spite of externally imposed constraints, expressive but not over-bearing, calm.  The piece is dedicated to Paul and Irma Webb, two long-time family friends, whose Muskoka cottage in the winter provided the composer with an ideal visual image.  Like many aspects of the winter season though, the snowdrifts are sometimes best enjoyed from the chair closest to the fire place.

Full Score (for purchase, loan or rental) and Parts (rental only) available from the Canadian Music Centre Snowdrift-CMC

Complete Recording of Kiev Philharmonic Performance: Snowdrift-Kiev

Commercial CD Recording available on ERM Media (ERM-6705) and available from ITunes-Snowdrift Recording

Interesting Fact: This is one of Burge's favourite compositions and in 2012 the piece formed the basis of his lecture for the Queen's Student Association's "Last Lecture on Earth" Series entitled, Ten Approaches to Creativity – A Canadian Composer Plays With a Snowdrift.  This lecture takes approximately 90 minutes including ample time for questions and has been repeated a number of times in different university settings.

Repeat Performances:

• Symphony New Brunswick, Kevin Mallon, conductor, Imperial Theeatre, Saint John, NB on December 18, 2019; The Playhouse, Fredericton, NB, December 21, 2019; Capitol Theatre, Moncton, NB, December 22, 2019.
• Orchestra Borealis, David Hoyt, conductor, Southpointe Community Centre, Edmonton, Alberta, November 3, 2019
• Royal Conservatory of Music Orchestra, Johannes Debus, conductor, The Isabel, Kingston, ON; Feb. 12, 2017
• Royal Conservatory of Music Orchestra, Johannes Debus, conductor, Koerner Hall, Toronto, ON; Feb. 10, 2017
• Deep River Symphony Orchestra, Peter Morris, conductor, Deep River, ON; Oct. 15, 2011.
• Niagara Symphony, Bradley Thachuk, conductor, Brock University Concert Hall, St. Catherine’s, ON; Dec. 1, 2010.
• Kamloops Symphony Orchestra, Bruce Rodney Dunn, conductor; Kamloops, BC; Nov. 18, 2006.
• North Bay Symphony, Sept. 12, 2006.
• Orchestra Toronto, Errol Gay, conductor; George Weston Recital Hall, Toronto, ON; Feb. 19, 2006.
• Sudbury Symphony, Victor Sawa, conductor; Sudbury, ON; Nov. 25 and 26, 2005.
• The Quinte Symphony, Gordon Craig, conductor, Bridge Street United Church, Belleville, ON; Dec. 7, 2003.
• Peterborough Symphony, Michael Neumann, conductor, Peterborough, ON; Dec. 8, 2002.
• Volgagrad Symphony, Daniel Swift, conductor, Volgagrad, Russia; Dec. 7, 2002.
• Brampton Symphony, Charles Demuynck, conductor, Brampton, ON; Feb. 24, 2002.
• Niagara Symphony, Daniel Swift, conductor; St. Catherine’s, ON; Jan. 28, 2001.
• Montreal Symphony Orchestra, James DePriest, conductor; Place des Arts, Montreal, PQ; Apr. 27 and 28, 1999.