News & Reviews

Piano Duo Fortin-Poirer

Piano Duo Fortin-Poirier – Thursday February 14, 2019

by SillyGilly, posted in Concert

Fortin-Poirier Piano DuoDuo Fortin-Poirier
Thursday February 14, 2019 7:30 pm
BUY TICKETS

Come share Valentine’s Day with us! NOCCA’s Valentine’s Day concert with Duo Fortin-Poirier – the piano duo of Marie-Christine Poirier and Amelie Fortin, promises to be a wonderful treat! They will delight you with their artistic intuition, shared sensitivity, great vitality, and fiery interpretations.

Both Québec natives, Marie-Christine and Amélie are graduates of Universitéde Montréal with Master’s degrees in performance and Specialized Graduate Diplomas in four-hand piano music under the direction Jean-Eudes Vaillancourt and Paul Stewart.

Duo Fortin-Poirier were finalists in the Concours International de Piano á 4 mains de Valberg (France, 2009) and in the Liszt 200 Chicago International Piano Duos Competition (US, 2011). Their brilliant interpretation of John Corigliano’s Gazebo Dances awarded them a special mention from the jury at the prestigious Concours Grieg –International Piano Competition in Oslo (Norway, 2010). After winning second prize at the Roma International Piano Competition (Italy, 2013) they released their first album ‘Vingt doigts et un piano’.

They are both scholars of the Canada Council for the Arts and the Council of Arts and Letters of Québec, and have performed in France, Norway, Italy, the United States and Canada. Their concert ‘Twenty fingers and a piano’ was the first classical concert to have been selected for a tour of Entrées en Scéne Loto-Québec in 2013-2014. In 2014-2015, the Duo was in residence at the prestigious Chapelle Historique du Bon-Pasteur in Montreal with their concert ‘Mémories’. Their second album ‘Mémories’ was released in 2017.

Known for their dynamism and ease on stage, the lovely Duo Fortin-Poirier presents an exceptional musical tour that will delight music lovers and amateurs alike. You will discover less well-known music and different interpretations of already familiar works with, interpretations that can be at times passionate, funny or touching. The intensity, skill, remarkable complexity, and impressive choreographic movements will be projected on the big screen at the back of the stage so you won’t miss any of their unique connection and extraordinary natural partnership.

They are commonly described as extraordinarily powerful, with an explosive playing style, creating performances that highlight a great common sensibility, impressive in its vitality – dynamic, lively, and witty! Marie-Christine and Amélie are also known for creating an intimate and warm atmosphere, perfect for exploring the theme of memories. The program weaves between the intensity of Piazzolla’s tangos, Rachmaninov’s lyricism, and the liveliness of Samuel Barber. duofortinpoirier.com

The concert will be opened by Heather Harker, vocalist. Raised in the Vernon area, Heather received her initial vocal training from Elizabeth Scott. She pursued a Bachelors of Music, initially at Mount Allison University, New Brunswick, completing it and pursuing a Masters in Voice at the University of Victoria under the direction of Benjamin Butterfield and Anne Grimm. Heather received a graduate assistantship at the University of Victoria, and is the recipient of numerous awards including the Elizabeth Scott Vocal Bursary in 2009, and the NATS High School Voice Scholarship. Heather performed the part of the second lady in ‘Dido and Aeneas’ by Henry Purcell at the ‘Opera on the Avalon’ in Newfoundland, and has been a featured soloist with the University of Victoria Orchestra and the Victoria Chamber Orchestra. Heather now lives in Salmon Arm, where she teaches French Immersion Kindergarten.

Concert Program:

Edvard Grieg (1843-1907) Valses Caprice op. 37
Antonín Dvořák (1841-1904) Legends op. 59 (excerpts)
Samuel Barber (1910-1981) Souvenirs
Intermission
Astor Piazzolla (1910-1992)
arr. Victor Simon		 Adios Nonino
Vanessa Marcoux (1986- ) Chroniques d’une coupe à blanc
Sergei Rachmaninoff (1873-1943)
arr. Greg Anderson		 Vocalise
William Bolcom (1938- ) Garden  of Eden: The Serpent’s Kiss

Click on the image/link below to view a short video of Duo Fortin-Poirier performing:

SINGLE CONCERT TICKETS
Adults – $40  Under 18 – $20
Students on the 8to12 program – $5

Purchase tickets at:

TICKET SELLER
Phone: (250) 549-SHOW (7469)
E-mail: boxoffice@ticketseller.ca

– or –

Visit The Performing Arts Centre Foyer
3800-34th Street, Vernon
All concerts are held in the Vernon and District Performing Arts Centre.

Trio D’Argento visiting Okanagan Lake, Vernon BC

Review: Trio Delivers Virtuosic Concert

by SillyGilly, posted in Review
Trio D’Argento visiting Okanagan Lake, Vernon BC
Trio D’Argento visiting Okanagan Lake, Vernon BC

Review by Jim Leonard

As is customary, each concert features a local artist to begin the program. This time it was Katherine Flaherty; a lovely soprano who offered two familiar and most enjoyable song selections. She had a perfect clear tone for Schubert’s “Ave Maria” and gave a lovely gentle version of Puccini’s “O Mio Bambino Caro.” She was ably accompanied by pianist Alex MacArthur.

“Trio d’Argento” comprised of: Sibylle Marquardt on alto flute, flute and piccolo; Peter Stoll on E flat and B flat clarinets, and Bass clarinet; and Todd Yaniw, piano started their program with Haydn’s “Trio in D”. Originally for other instruments, it was arranged by Peter Stoll. The music was light and bubbly in the hands of the trio. The bass clarinet provided some unique sounds to the ensemble in this work, which originally had the part for cello. Camille Saint-Saens’ (1835-1921) “Tarantella”, marked Presto non Troppo – “Very fast but not out of control” (my translation!) showed the trios ability for precise ensemble and neat playing.

The third set of pieces were by bassoonist-saxophonist Russell Peterson (b.1969). Peterson is an associate professor of music studies at Concordia College in Minnesota. His “Trio for Flute, Clarinet, and Piano” (2009) was the first piece in the program that wasn’t an arrangement. It started mysteriously, depicting a desolate desert scene with chant like melodies. This gave way to a lively market scene with all its hustle and bustle. The trio controlled the changes in character with breathtaking ease. There were colourful overtones created by the flute and clarinet; both in their highest registers. Peterson’s piece ended with a whirling dervish of sound in the Allegro. After this piece some sonic soothing was required, and it arrived with Jacques Ibert’s “Deux Interludes.” Ibert (1890-1962) was an actor, composer and silent film pianist. We were bathed in lovely melody and soothing sonorities from the trio.

Kevin Lau, born in Hong Kong, became the Toronto Symphony’s affiliate composer in 2012; holding that position until 2015. His “Musica Universalis” gave the trio an opportunity to unleash their arsenal of instruments into the realm of Quantum Physics – the awe of the universe. Movement one called “Frozen Fire” started with the pianist creating a shimmering effect on the upper part of the keyboard; one could imagine the array of colours occurring when light strikes the ice surface. “Singularity” (2nd movement) helped us envision a black hole in the universe. ”The End of Eternity” used musical styles from Bach’s fugues, Beethoven and romanticism. During these pieces we heard piccolo, flute, Eb clarinet, Bb clarinet, and bass clarinet and of course the virtuosity of Yaniw, the pianist.

The last programmed piece was “Techno Parade” by Guillaume Connesson (b.1970). In this piece we heard some prepared piano (placing objects on the strings) and jazz flute. At times it sounded like a video game! The trio immersed themselves into the turmoil of the piece and came out the winner using their incredible virtuosity. The enthusiastic audience demanded and encore and got two: The Duet from “Lakme” by Leo Delibes (1815-1910) originally for two sopranos, but skill fully arranged for the trio; and the “Pink Panther” by Henry Mancini. What a night it was!

The next NOCCA concert will be the piano duo “Duo Fortin-Poirer” on Thursday February 14, 2019 at 7:30 pm. More info at nocca.ca.

Review by Jim Leonard for the Vernon Morning Star.

Trio D’Argento – Thursday November 29, 2018

by SillyGilly, posted in Concert

Trio D'ArgentoTrio D’Argento
Thursday November 29, 2018 7:30 pm
BUY TICKETS

Trio D’Argento – this exciting trio, Sibylle Marquardt (flute), Peter Stoll (clarinet) and Todd Yaniw (piano) bring a superb level of excellence to their virtuoso arrangements and original pieces.

On Thursday November 29th at 7:30 pm Trio d’Argento performs NOCCA’s second concert of the 2018/19 season at Vernon’s Performing Arts Centre. From the classics to jazz, to exotic world music, these three brilliant musicians provide lively and entertaining concerts with spoken introductions to each piece. Sybille and Peter play many different sized flutes, clarinets and even saxophones, creating a wide and ever-changing array of sound colours, combined beautifully with Todd’s powerful pianism.

In this concert there will be old classical friends like Haydn and Camille Saint-Säens, as well as American Russell Peterson’s cool trio touching on jazz and world music, plus a brand new piece by Toronto composer Kevin Lau that uses music to introduce the principles of quantum physics!

The trio has firmly established itself in the Ontario chamber music scene in the past few years. They have collaborated with First Nations composer and performer Barbara Croall. Their highly successful debut recording with members of the Canadian Brass “Piano Centric” will be followed up with a CD that showcases their strong commitment to Canadian music. triodargento.ca

Click on the image/link below to view a short video of Trio D’Argento performing (with a different pianist, Anna Ronai) :

SINGLE CONCERT TICKETS
Adults – $40  Under 18 – $20
Students on the 8to12 program – $5

FULL 2018/19 NOCCA SEASON OF 5 CONCERTS
$125 for adults (That’s just $25 a concert!)
$62.50 for those 18 and under

Purchase tickets at:

TICKET SELLER
Phone: (250) 549-SHOW (7469)
E-mail: boxoffice@ticketseller.ca

– or –

Visit The Performing Arts Centre Foyer
3800-34th Street, Vernon
All concerts are held in the Vernon and District Performing Arts Centre.

Dynamic Montréal Vocal Quartet Delivers High Octane Evening

by SillyGilly, posted in Review

Review by Jim Leonard

NOCCA’s gala concert evening on October 27, 2018 began with the stunning violin solos of 13 year old child prodigy Marcus Coetzee. Marcus began playing the violin at age 4! A student of Bev Martens since 2014, Marcus plays in the Okanagan Youth Symphony. He was ably accompanied by local concert pianist Alex MacArthur. Apparently he and Marcus only rehearsed together for 1 hour! Marcus played two selections; the titles of which I obtained from Alex. The first was Souvenir de Saraste by William Potstock (1872-1948) and Czardas by Vittorio Monti (1868-1922) They were both brilliantly played with flawless technique and intonation.

Now to the main event: let me start by saying that the U.K. has the “King’s Singers” but we have “Quartom”- a men’s vocal quartet formed in Montréal in 2008. The name Quartom comes from the French “quatuor d’hommes” meaning men’s vocal quartet. Their program was sung a cappella, without any pitch device. At least one member with perfect pitch was giving the others the tonality which helped the flow of the program. It consisted of mostly
familiar opera and vocal solo music arranged by the members. One exception was an arrangement by Davis, Dixon and Williams of “Duke of Earl”- written and performed by Gene Chandler in 1961.The other was “Mrs. Robinson” (from the movie “The Graduate”) by Simon and Garfunkel. Both selections, like many of the others, were performed with hilarious choreography and/or hand gestures and props.

Other highlights were: an improvised wedding scene between the bass and one of the baritones; complete with bridal bouquet and veil; while the quartet sang Wagner’s wedding processional in German; and Georg (That’s right-no e in German!) Friederich Handel’s “Laschia ch’io pianga” from his opera “Rinaldo.” The group used their incredible control to perform this piece in partial sotto voce (“shadow voice”) to great effect.

They ended the evening with an encore: a short witty song about American youth coming to Quebec to party, because of the lower drinking age there. That was the proverbial “cherry on top of the sundae!” The next concert will be Trio D’Argento on Thursday, November 29, 2018 at 7:30 pm. Flute, clarinet, and piano. More info at nocca.ca.

Quartom

Quartom Acapella Quartet – Saturday October 27, 2018

by SillyGilly, posted in Concert

QuartomQuartom
Saturday October 27, 2018 7:30 pm
** NOCCA’s Gala Evening **
BUY TICKETS

Quartom male acapella quartet presents an evening of unparalleled singing. These 4 highly skilled, charismatic, and versatile vocalists from Montreal are praised for their insightful interpretations, obvious mutual affection, and contagious good humour.

Quartom comes from the French “quatuor d’hommes” – a perfect name for a men’s quartet. This closely knit group of artists and friends have a burnished vocal sound bred of their own arrangements and their love of fine singing. The four voices, tenor Gaetan Sauvageau, baritone Julien Patenaude, baritone Benoit Le Blanc and bass-baritone Philippe Martel, have a unique blend that will transport you through various styles of music. Formed in 2008 the group boasts a varied background of choral experience ranging from childhood choristers, solo and ensemble work, singing contracts, operatic and quartet performances, as well as university studies.

Among their many presentations in Canada and Europe there is one of particular note. Last October, Quartom performed in the Senate Chamber at the investiture of former astronaut Julie Payette, Canada’s 29th Governor General, before a full house of enthusiastic guests.

Their up-coming NOCCA performance has an operatic theme, unlikely heard before in this particular method of presentation. The entertaining way Quartom presents each segment will keep you riveted for the entire program. Whether a seasoned opera fanatic or a newbie to the opera scene, their obvious joy of singing is guaranteed to have you moved to laughter or to tears with their interpretations of the various operatic scenes. quartom.com

Click on the image/link below to view a short video of Quartom singing:

SINGLE CONCERT TICKETS
Adults – $40  Under 18 – $20
Students on the 8to12 program – $5

FULL 2018/19 NOCCA SEASON OF 5 CONCERTS
$125 for adults (That’s just $25 a concert!)
$62.50 for those 18 and under

Purchase tickets at:

TICKET SELLER
Phone: (250) 549-SHOW (7469)
E-mail: boxoffice@ticketseller.ca

– or –

Visit The Performing Arts Centre Foyer
3800-34th Street, Vernon
All concerts are held in the Vernon and District Performing Arts Centre.