Daniel Bartholomew-Poyser, NACO Principal Youth Conductor and host
Learn how musicians, composers, and other creative minds have reflected upon the climate emergency and a world that is changing beneath their feet. In the second installment of The Great Canadian Orchestra Field Trip, experience the nature-inspired music of Astor Piazzolla, Denis Gougeon, Bedřich Smetana, and Edward Top.
Featuring performances by the Orchestre symphonique de Montréal, Toronto Symphony Orchestra, Toronto Symphony Youth Orchestra, and guest appearances from the former host of Daily Planet, Ziya Tong and flutist Ben Morency, this leg of the field trip navigates pressing social and environmental issues we face on Planet Earth today.
Learner’s companion guide
In the Learner’s companion to Episode 2, students use music and art to reflect on their own relationship with Planet Earth. Learn more about the music and musicians featured in the accompanying video series, and complete activities that range from “Climate Change 101” to mapping out soundwaves for everyday noises.
Curriculum links: Science, Geography, Social Studies, Music, and Visual Arts
Learning outcomes
Explain how a changing world impacts people
Explain how musicians and artists have reflected on these changes
“We don’t often stop and reflect; we are driven to distraction all the time! Devices, gadgets... the news! It’s everywhere. When I reflect deeply, I realize that the planet I love will not stay this way if I don’t change and help others to do the same.”
Principal Youth Conductor and Creative Partner
Daniel Bartholomew-Poyser
A passionate communicator, Daniel Bartholomew-Poyser brings clarity and meaning to the concert hall, fostering deep connections between audiences and performers. He is concurrently the Principal Youth Conductor and Creative Partner of the National Arts Centre Orchestra, the Principal Education Conductor and Community Ambassador of the Toronto Symphony Orchestra, Artist in Residence and Community Ambassador of Symphony Nova Scotia, and Resident Conductor of Engagement and Education of the San Francisco Symphony.
Daniel served as Assistant Conductor of the Kitchener-Waterloo Symphony and Associate Conductor of the Thunder Bay Symphony Orchestra. He has performed with the Vancouver Symphony Orchestra, Edmonton Symphony Orchestra, Calgary Philharmonic Orchestra, and was Cover Conductor with the Washington National Opera in 2020.
Daniel is the host of Canadian Broadcasting Company’s (CBC’s) nationally broadcast weekly radio show Centrestage.
He was also the subject of an award-winning, full-length CBC documentary called Disruptor Conductor, focussing on his concerts for neurodiverse, prison, African diaspora, and LGBTQ2S+ populations.
Daniel earned his Bachelor degrees in Music Performance and Education from the University of Calgary, and his Master of Philosophy in Performance from the Royal Northern College of Music in Manchester, England.
ASTOR PIAZZOLLA Estaciones Porteñas: Verano Porteño
Argentinian composer Astor Piazzolla’s Estaciones Porteñas quotes melodies from the well-known Italian work, The Four Seasons. Originally written for tango quintet, Piazzolla’s rendition speaks to his own experiences of living in Buenos Aires.
BEDŘICH SMETANA The Moldau
Inspired by a river that crosses the Czech Republic, The Moldau is the name of a movement within composer Bedřich Smetana’s symphonic poem Má Vlast— which translates to “My Country.” This piece reflects upon the beautiful rolling plains of the Czech countryside.
EDWARD TOP Eruption
Dutch Composer Edward Top’s orchestral composition Eruption is explosive in energy, representing the power that children and youth have when they come together to make a difference.
Canadian flutist Benjamin Morency has recently completed a Master’s degree in Music under the guidance of internationally renowned flutist Ransom Wilson at the prestigious Yale School of Music. He previously studied for six years with Marie-Andrée Benny at the Conservatoire de musique de Montréal, and also had the opportunity to work with masters of the instrument such as Mathieu Dufour, Emmanuel Pahud, Philippe Bernold, Jeanne Baxtresser, and Robert Langevin. In November 2017, he was awarded Grand Prize winner at the OSM Manuvie Competition.
Benjamin performs as a soloist and chamber musician in Canada and in the United-States. After performing the Jacques Ibert Flute Concerto with the Montreal Symphony Orchestra in January 2018, he also had the opportunity to record Sergei Prokofiev’s Sonata for Flute and Piano op.94, Francis Poulenc’s Flute and Piano Sonata, and Denis Gougeon’s L’Oiseau Blessé with pianist Mariane Patenaude in Radio-Canada studios, subsequently broadcasted on ICI Musique. He was also a soloist with the Redlands Symphony Orchestra in California, and the Newfoundland Symphony Orchestra.
Over the years, he was awarded many scholarships to study and perform in prestigious festivals including the Domaine Forget and the Banff summer Academy, the Orford Music Festival, the Young Artist Program at the National Art Center in Ottawa, and at the National Youth Orchestra of Canada, where he received an Award of Excellence for the 2016 summer tour.
Benjamin is now the flute teacher at the Conservatoire de Musique de Val-d’Or, and is really proud to be a Wm. S. Haynes Young Artist.
Ziya Tong is a Canadian science journalist and television host who has captivated audiences with her passion for science and technology. Born and raised in Toronto, Tong studied anthropology at the University of Toronto before embarking on a career in journalism. She began her career at the CBC, where she worked as a reporter and producer, before joining the Discovery Channel and becoming the host of the popular show Daily Planet.
As the host of Daily Planet, Tong has gained a reputation for her engaging and informative reporting on the latest developments in science and technology. She has interviewed a wide range of experts and scientists, and has brought complex scientific concepts to life for a general audience. In addition to her work on Daily Planet, Tong is also a passionate advocate for science education and has written a book on the importance of understanding the natural world.
Tong’s love of science and her ability to communicate complex ideas in an accessible way have earned her many accolades, including a Gemini Award for Best Host in a News or Information Program or Series. She continues to inspire and educate audiences with her in-depth reporting and engaging on-screen presence.
Born in Québec, Evelyne Daigle is a dedicated biologist, researcher, and environmental educator. She is known for her work studying the migration patterns and behaviors of whales in the St. Lawrence River and in Hawaii, which she documented in her first book, As Long as There Are Whales.
In 2007, Daigle published her second book, The World of Penguins, which examines the southern dwelling aquatic birds and their habitat and culture. The book covers the lifestyles, diet, predation, reproduction, and location of penguins. Throughout her career, Daigle has been committed to educating others about the natural world and the importance of protecting the environment. She continues to inspire and educate with her passion for wildlife and conservation.
Principal Youth Conductor and Creative Partner
Daniel Bartholomew-Poyser
A passionate communicator, Daniel Bartholomew-Poyser brings clarity and meaning to the concert hall, fostering deep connections between audiences and performers. He is concurrently the Principal Youth Conductor and Creative Partner of the National Arts Centre Orchestra, the Principal Education Conductor and Community Ambassador of the Toronto Symphony Orchestra, Artist in Residence and Community Ambassador of Symphony Nova Scotia, and Resident Conductor of Engagement and Education of the San Francisco Symphony.
Daniel served as Assistant Conductor of the Kitchener-Waterloo Symphony and Associate Conductor of the Thunder Bay Symphony Orchestra. He has performed with the Vancouver Symphony Orchestra, Edmonton Symphony Orchestra, Calgary Philharmonic Orchestra, and was Cover Conductor with the Washington National Opera in 2020.
Daniel is the host of Canadian Broadcasting Company’s (CBC’s) nationally broadcast weekly radio show Centrestage.
He was also the subject of an award-winning, full-length CBC documentary called Disruptor Conductor, focussing on his concerts for neurodiverse, prison, African diaspora, and LGBTQ2S+ populations.
Daniel earned his Bachelor degrees in Music Performance and Education from the University of Calgary, and his Master of Philosophy in Performance from the Royal Northern College of Music in Manchester, England.
Aliénor (Allie) Rougeot is a climate justice activist, and a program manager at Environmental Defence Canada where she advocates for a just transition for workers and communities. She has been a human rights advocate since a very young age, with a focus on climate justice since high school. She co-founded the group Fridays for Future Toronto and has led numerous student climate strikes in that role. She is a public speaker and workshop facilitator, using these opportunities to raise awareness on the urgency of the climate crisis, discuss the solutions that are available to us as a society and empower others to join the fight for climate justice. She has been recognized by The Starfish in the 25 under 25 Environmentalists, and by Corporate Knights in their 30 Under 30 Sustainability Leaders.
Founded in 1934 by Antonia Nantel, Wilfrid Pelletier and Athanase David, the Orchestre symphonique de Montréal (OSM) is a distinguished leader of musical life in Quebec and Canada. Recognized as one of the finest orchestras in the world, whose core activity is to perform the vast orchestral repertoire with conductors and soloists of the highest calibre, the OSM is an essential cultural ambassador.
Under the new direction of Venezuelan conductor Rafael Payare, the OSM perpetuates several rich traditions rooted in its long history of social involvement and embodied in far-reaching projects, world class tours, and a superb discography. Firmly anchored in today’s world, the OSM’s innovative artistic programming in both concerts and recordings brings modern-day relevance to the symphonic repertoire while strengthening the Orchestra’s place at the heart of its home base in Quebec’s metropolis.
Over the years, the OSM has crisscrossed Canada and toured abroad, travelling to Quebec’s Far North as well as to the United States, Latin America, and several countries in Europe and Asia.
The OSM’s discography totals more than a hundred recordings on the Decca, Analekta, CBC Records, ECM, EMI, Philips, and Sony labels, earning more than 50 national and international awards.
One of Canada’s most respected arts organizations, the Toronto Symphony Orchestra (TSO) has played a vital role in the city’s cultural life for 100 years. Music Director Gustavo Gimeno brings an expansive artistic vision, intellectual curiosity, and sense of adventure to programming the 93-musician Orchestra. This season, through Centennial commissions from emerging composers, marquee events, and an incredible lineup of world-renowned guest artists, the TSO continues to celebrate a century of music-making, paying homage to the Orchestra’s illustrious past while ushering in a dynamic future.
The TSO is committed to serving local and national communities through vibrant performances, extensive educational activities, and community-access and wellness initiatives intended to reach more age groups, people with different abilities, and diverse communities in Toronto. These include open houses and free concerts at the TSO’s home, Roy Thomson Hall; Relaxed Performances designed to be more welcoming for neurodiverse patrons; and a partnership with the Centre for Addiction and Mental Health that supports First Nations, Inuit, and Métis patients through musical storytelling and composition.
With a notable recording history—including, most recently, five acclaimed recordings on the prestigious Chandos label—complementing international touring engagements in the U.S., Europe, Israel, and Asia, the TSO is a musical ambassador for Canada and remains synonymous with musical versatility, growth, and artistic distinction.
Astor Piazzolla was a tango composer from Argentina. Not only was he an accomplished bandoneon performer (a musical instrument similar to an accordion), Piazzolla was also a baseball and boxing fan. Throughout his lifetime, he forged his own musical path and composed with a style that contradicted cultural norms and upset the status quo.
Tango was more-or-less “musical law” in Argentina—but this did not stop Piazzolla. He envisioned a new version of Tango infused with influences of jazz and classical music. Piazzolla’s passion for this crossover style defined the journey of his career as a composer. He stood behind his artistic vision, despite any challenges he faced.
Astor Piazzolla left a legacy that transformed tango forever. He was a rockstar known for writing music that was romantic, sad, joyful and menacing—sometimes all at once.
Source: Great Canadian Orchestra Field Trip, Episode 2 Learner's Companion
Denis Gougeon’s love for music blossomed when he was a teenager. Teaching himself guitar at the age of 15, he soon after performed a solo recital on the instrument. He knew this was an area he wanted to further explore.
His growing passion for music laid the groundwork for Gougeon to learn more about how music worked—“he wanted to understand the principles behind the music” (La Scena Musicale, n.d.).
Among Gougeon’s musical strengths is his intuition—his practiced ability to reach a listener’s emotions. “I believe that music must be immediately accessible to the listener; we must not draw it out unnecessarily.” (La Scena Musicale, n.d.)
Not only does Gougeon enjoy connecting with his audiences, but also with the musicians that perform his works as well:
“I work hard to make my [music] seem simple while providing performers with material that excites them. That is where the joy lies for me, in that special relationship with the performers, when I see their eyes light up, or in the eyes of my composition students when something works! That, to me, is at the heart of it all.” (La Scena Musicale, n.d.)
Having written over 80 compositions to date, Gougeon continues to connect and inspire both his audiences, students, and the musicians that perform his work.
Source: Great Canadian Orchestra Field Trip, Episode 2 Learner's Companion
Bedřich Smetana was certainly one of the underdogs. When he was very young, he was regularly bullied for his upbringing in the rural countryside and his lack of formal education. But, little did he know, his music would later become emblematic of Czech nationalism and independence. Born to a working-class family, Smetana grew up speaking German. His trouble with the Czech language was another reason his classmates would mock him. But, Smetana stayed the course and devoted himself to the study of the language until he was in his forties. He practiced both speaking and writing the Czech language every day.
Smetana’s decision to go against the grain led to the criticism of his music throughout his entire lifetime. But, this did not stop him. Even after experiencing hearing loss, he wrote nine major operas, an autobiographical string quartet, and a number of instrumental works. Unfortunately, it was not until after Smetana died that his music was recognized as a national treasure. His music was both cultured and representative of pride and independence. It was the “uneducated country boy’s” bohemian writing style that propelled his creations into the fabric of the country’s identity. Today, he is often referred to as the “Father of Czech Music.”
Source: Great Canadian Orchestra Field Trip, Episode 2 Learner's Companion
Edward Top is a highly sought-after Dutch composer with an extensive portfolio. In his youth, Top travelled the world while completing formal schooling, beginning with composition and violin performance at the Rotterdam Conservatoire in The Netherlands. After that, he spent time in East Asia before moving to England to complete graduate studies in musicology at King’s College London.
Today, Top is based in Vancouver, British Columbia where he previously served as Composer-In-Residence for the Vancouver Symphony Orchestra.
Top is well known for his ability to seamlessly interweave musical styles and expertly integrate contrasting cultural aesthetics into his writing. Known for his energetic and lively approach to music-writing, Top is constantly premiering new compositions with orchestras around the globe.
Source: Great Canadian Orchestra Field Trip, Episode 2 Learner's Companion
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