The Norwegian conductor has been working at the CPO since 2016

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When Rune Bergmann took over as music director of the Calgary Philharmonic in 2016, there was some concern in the city about falling oil prices and the impact on arts groups.

Within a few years, the CPO – like all arts groups around the world – faced an even more pronounced and unprecedented crisis when the COVID-19 lockdowns halted all arts activities for several seasons. The impact for the CPO was immediate: it canceled its sold-out show on March 12, and a notice to lay off 83 musicians took effect on March 28. But the organization persisted.

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“It wasn't the easiest years for me to be in Calgary, but things always make sense, and I think the connections we made with the audience, as well as through the live broadcasts, made it through the tough times,” says Bergmann. In an interview with Postmedia. “So it was a pleasure and a challenge at the same time.”

On Wednesday, the CPO announced its 2024/2025 season, featuring an all-star lineup that includes everything from collaborations with legendary cellist Yo-Yo Ma, Calgary-born pop singer Kiesza and violinist James Ehnes to tributes to Pink Floyd, “pop bangers” . Like Harry Styles and Billie Eilish, Bob Marley and Tina Turner. It has also been revealed that this will be Bergman's last season as music director after nine years, with the renowned conductor joining the CPO as music director for the final time on 30 and 31 May 2025 to perform Gustav Mahler's Second Symphony with soprano Ivona. Sobotka and mezzo-soprano Marianna Beat Killand.

The decision to leave was Bergman's, saying it felt like a natural time and something he had been planning for several years. He says nine years is a good run, and says the CPO has spent the last few seasons rebuilding its live audience following COVID-19.

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“Now, I would say, going into next season, maybe the first season that feels a little more normal,” he says. “So I think it's a good time.”

The pandemic has shown musicians and organizations that arts groups need to be flexible and “react very quickly.” When the lockdown began in March 2020, the CPO temporarily furloughed staff and support staff, but returned them to work from home on reduced hours within two weeks.

Even before the pandemic, Bergmann insisted on using CPO technology with a vision for the future. In fact, Bergman's performance of Yo-Yo Ma and the CPO from the first season was broadcast live in 2017.

“It was way ahead (of its time) and it saved us from the pandemic,” he says. “Of all the orchestras I've worked with around the world, I think the Calgary Philharmonic was hit the hardest because we couldn't go into the hall and play together. We already had a live stream running, so (we) were able to react quickly. So we had a great time with the musicians, but of course the challenge was that we didn't play together for two seasons. When we got out of it, our goal was to get back on stage and get our audience back.”

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Bergmann didn't say exactly what he plans to do after his last show here, but said he wants to return to a somewhat more normal life after serving not only as CPO, but also as artistic director and principal conductor. He is music director of the Szczecin Philharmonic in Poland, the Aargau Philharmonic in Switzerland, and oversees the Penisula Music Festival in Wisconsin and Norway. Fjord Cadenza Festival.

He said he would also leave his seat Szczecin Philharmonic this year.

“When the pandemic started, nobody wanted me to leave, and I couldn't leave them,” he says. “During the pandemic, there were years when I did the least but worked the hardest to keep everyone sane and alive.”

Calgary Philharmonic President and CEO Mark Stevens credits Bergman with bringing in top-notch artists and new commissions for helping ignite a love for the music of Anton Bruckner and Mahler in Calgary.

“The goal was to bring our audience back into the hall,” says Bergmann. “It's going slowly, but I'd say pretty good. After the pandemic, we have a new, I think (younger audience members) understanding that we have to live as long as we can. So we've got a whole new audience with an appetite for music that hasn't been played much in Calgary. Mahler was done before my time, but it didn't necessarily bring a full house. Now we've had two sold-out performances of Mahler (Symphony No. 2), which we're going to do again (June), and Mahler's fifth performance was very popular. We did Mahler's three-of-a-kind Edmonton collaboration that blew the roof off. Everything in life takes time and I'd say there's a big appetite for Mahler right now. “

“I can see that the audience is open now,” he added. “They believe that we will play well. So (the idea) of having to play Beethoven's 5th is not as big of a draw as it used to be.”

For a complete list of Calgary Philharmonic Orchestra's 2024/2025 season, visit calgaryphil.com.

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