HAMILTON, ON, MARCH 30, 2026 — The Hamilton Philharmonic Orchestra (HPO) heads back to The Cotton Factory on Wednesday, April 8, 2026 at 7:30 p.m. for this season’s installation of our Intimate & Immersive series: Earth Songs. HPO Music Director James Kahane conducts the orchestra, Violinist Linda Suolahti and McMaster University Choirs in an evening of music by Canadian and Finnish composers. The program comprised of works inspired by the beauty of our earth and ancient civilizations around the world features a world premiere by one of HPO’s 25-26 Composer Fellows.
The HPO’s Intimate & Immersive series showcases innovative contemporary works set against dynamic art installations tailormade to elevate each piece of music. Audience members sit close to the orchestra and can interact with musicians, composers and the art installations during intermission, creating an intimate performance experience for all.
This concert’s soloist, violinist Linda Suolahti, is a courageous trendsetter in Finnish art music as an organizer of events and artistic director. Based in Helsinki, she is regularly invited to play in some of the world’s leading music festivals and concert halls, adding to her versatile career as a chamber musician, concert master, soloist, host, and artistic and production leader.
“This concert is a journey in space and time,” said Music Director James Kahane, “The audience will hear sonic explorations from medieval plainchant, Japanese and Sri Lankan traditional music, Finnish and Bulgarian folk music and liturgical church music through the lens of the next generation of composers.”
The evening begins with Canadian composer Matthew Whittall’s Ad puram anihilationem meam, a choral work that juxtaposes Gregorian chants and elements of Christian liturgy with classical Japanese gagaku music and Buddhism. Then, Dinuk Wijeratne honours his roots by blending traditional Sri Lankan melody and a classical 18th Century ‘Vannam’ dance-form representing the celestial elephant of the great god Sakra in his work Gajaga Vannama. The world premiere of HPO 25-26 Composer Fellow Joseph (Sehyeok) Park’s Elegy showcases his unique musical voice as an early-career composer. Cecilia Damström’s violin concerto Earth Songs draws the concert to a close with a seven-movement love song dedicated to our planet and its ecosystems.
Experience these dynamic works in one of Hamilton’s most inspiring historical buildings. Tickets are $40 general admission for all ages and can be purchased at HPO.ORG.
Intimate & Immersive: Earth Songs
April 8, 2026 at 7:30pm
The Cotton Factory
270 Sherman Avenue North, Hamilton, ON, L8L 6N4
Tickets on sale at hpo.org
About the HPO: For 140 years, the Hamilton Philharmonic Orchestra has presented orchestral music and education programs with a mission to enrich the wellbeing of the greater Hamilton region. The HPO presents dynamic orchestral performances ranging from standard classical repertoire to popular music and world premieres by living composers. As one of Canada’s leading professional orchestras, the HPO has proudly contributed to the shaping of Hamilton’s cultural landscape.
HPO Media Contact:
Megan Nourse
Marketing & Strategic Initiatives Manager
289-216-8273
mnourse@hpo.org