Though one of Calgary Philharmonic Orchestra’s newer members, Principal Horn Nikolette LaBonte, now in her second season with the Phil, came to Calgary packing not only her instrument but an impressive CV. Prior to joining the Orchestra here, she served as Associate Principal Horn of the Rochester Philharmonic Orchestra and continues in her role as Principal Horn of the Music in the Mountains summer festival in Durango, Colorado, among several other past orchestral positions.
Additionally, LaBonte is an award-winning soloist who has made guest appearances with orchestras across North America. This October 3 and 4, LaBonte will take her first turn in the spotlight with the Calgary Phil as the soloist for Swedish composer Kurt Atterberg’s Horn Concerto, which is featured on the program for the upcoming Beethoven’s Fifth Symphony concerts with conductor Julian Kuerti.
Given that the concerto is likely to be less familiar to audiences than Beethoven’s famous Fifth, we asked LaBonte for a few insights on Atterberg’s 1926 composition, which the concert’s program notes describe as “a kaleidoscopic work that fuses elements from Romanticism, Nordic colours, and 20th century compositional trends.”
How does it feel to be making your debut as a soloist with the Calgary Phil?
Nikolette LaBonte: In a word: “Amazing!” I’m a bit biased but I think this orchestra is absolutely world class from top to bottom, and I am extremely lucky to be able to play with them in the horn section every week, not to mention how lucky I feel to be able to stand in front this time! It is such an amazing group of musicians and I’m so excited to hear what they will bring to this concerto; I know it’s going to be special for me and hopefully for the audience as well!
What do you love most about Atterberg’s Horn Concerto?
NL: I think it really showcases some of the most iconic and best features of the horn in such an approachable way for the audience. The piece opens with a declamatory theme evocative of hunting horn calls. The horn originated as a signaling instrument for the hunt, so Atterberg begins his piece harkening back to the instrument's origins. The second movement explores the more introspective side of the horn, with lyrical melodies, sweeping lines, and the vocal quality you might hear from a solo like the one in Tchaikovsky’s Fifth Symphony. Finally, the last movement is again evocative of the hunt and the galloping of horses, and its sprightly character is also reminiscent of Mozart’s horn concerti. Right at the end there’s even a nod to the famous horn call from Wagner’s opera Siegfried: one of the horn’s most famous dramatic roles. There’s so much to love about the horn and this piece has a little bit of all of it!
What are some challenges that the work presents?
NL: Some of my favourite features mentioned in the previous question are also the biggest challenges! Playing the horn requires big risk for maximum reward. All these moments I described above are things the horn does well but require a real 'go for it’ attitude to be executed fully. That’s something that comes with the territory playing in the orchestra, but as a soloist, that risk-taking behaviour is even more on display. There’s a quote pinned on my office wall from baseball legend Babe Ruth that sums it up nicely: “I swing big, with everything I’ve got. I hit big or I miss big. I like to live as big as I can.”
What do you hope the audience takes away from the performance of this piece?
NL: I know the audience has heard many concerti from legendary pianists, violinists, and cellists but it’s likely that many of them have never heard a horn solo in front of the orchestra. This is such a great opportunity to perform this work as it’s a rarely heard solo instrument performing an even more rarely heard concerto! I am very fortunate to perform with this great orchestra on a piece that really flatters the instrument and captures the horn’s essence in so many ways. In my dream scenario, everyone in the audience walks away with the horn as their new favourite instrument…or at least in the top five!
Beethoven’s Fifth link: https://calgaryphil.com/events/beethovens-fifth-symphony-2025-10-03-730-pm/