Edmonton Symphony Orchestra's 75th season opens with a new assistant conductor at the podium

The Edmonton Symphony Orchestra launches its 75th season this weekend with an unusual choice: Shah Sadikov at the podium.

Sadikov was hired as ESO's assistant conductor late last year. Usually, the music director or a guest conductor opens the season. This time, the Uzbekistan-born conductor gets the major responsibility — a sign of the trust the programming committee has placed in him after the work he's shown in recent months.

"Opening the season is a major honour, and usually assistant conductors do not open the season so this is a major responsibility too," Sadikov said. "So this just speaks to the trust in my work ethic."

The two-night season opener is called Beethoven & Vivaldi: an ESO Celebration. The program features Beethoven's Symphony No. 1, Vivaldi's "Echo" Concerto for Two Violins, and the world premiere of Forest Bathing by John McPherson, a piece commissioned from the orchestra's former principal trombonist and former composer in residence.

Sadikov has already led about two dozen concerts with the ESO since his hire. He's the second major addition to the orchestra's artistic team in two years — music director Jean-Marie Zeitouni joined in February 2026. On top of his position with the ESO, Sadikov is working with the Youth Orchestra of Northern Alberta to support the program's growth.

October is busy for Sadikov. Beyond the season opener, he's conducting four concerts this month, including the launch of the Trip Series — guided musical journeys exploring new ideas. On Oct. 15, the first performance, Light Trip, features On the Nature of Daylight by Max Richter, a hauntingly beautiful piece used in Denis Villeneuve's 2016 film Arrival. That evening also features a North American premiere of Double Concerto for Viola and Cello by Huw Watkins, performed by husband-and-wife pair Keith Hamm (principal viola) and Julie Hereish (assistant principal cello).

On Oct. 29, Sadikov conducts an evening of Baroque music from Pachelbel, Handel and Bach. He's also conducting The Composer is Dead, a Symphony For Kids show written by Lemony Snicket (author of A Series of Unfortunate Events). The narrated experience introduces audiences to the orchestra's sections — each one accused of being in on a murder. Hamm trades his viola to narrate the story, a role he started last year.