ABBA

Conductor, French horn player and pianist who joined The Banff Centre summer festival orchestra in 1972 and attended the University of Alberta. When he was still in school, he was already the Principal Horn for the Edmonton Symphony Orchestra.

In 1978, he made one of many return trips to the Banff Centre as either a guest artist or teacher. His conducting career began in 1982, and just three years later, he was dubbed Assistant Conductor of the ESO. In 1991, he fulfilled similar duties with the Canadian Opera Company. He helped the Edmonton Wind Ensemble lay down some tracks in 1992 that later appeared on their album, Snake Fence Country.

His tenure as conductor of the ESO has been distinguished with eclectic programs, such as a 1996 pops concert with none other than Ben E. King. In 1999, concerts ranged from Maxim Bernard performing Beethoven’s fourth piano concerto to saxophonist P.J. Perry playing standards such as “Harlem Nocturne” and “Strike up the Band” to vocalist Marleigh Rouault (who had opened for Ben E. King) at Parade of Pops. In August 2000, he conducted the ESO in a performance of Peter Ilyich Tchaikovsky’s “Piano Concerto No. 1” by Anton Nel. In 2002, he became the resident conductor and artistic director of the ESO.

He has also conducted The Arrogant Worms—yes, you read that right—on their 2003 album, Semi-Conducted and DVD, Three Worms and an Orchestra. In the 2004-2005 season, he assumed the duties of artistic director and executive director of The Banff Centre Music and Sound.

He is even the subject of a documentary by director-producer-writer Jean Patenaude entitled Music in the Wild, a film that reflects David’s unique and forward-thinking philosophy, including a classical music recital at Jasper Train Station, and the maestro riding his motorcycle throughout the lush Alberta countryside.

Edmonton Wind Ensemble recordings

Snake Fence Country (Howard Cable)

CBC Records SMCD 5165 (Snake Fence Country)

Conductor – Harry Pinchin

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