Tag: Community Concerts Vernon

Charles Richard-Hamelin

Charles Richard-Hamelin, piano – Thursday March 15, 2018

by SillyGilly, posted in Concert

Charles Richard-Hamelin

Charles Richard-Hamelin
Thursday March 15, 2018 7:30 pm
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Silver medalist and laureate of the Krystian Zimerman award of the best sonata at the International Chopin Piano Competition in 2015, Charles Richard-Hamelin stands out as one of the most important pianists of his generation. Also winning second prize at the Montreal International Musical Competition and third prize and special award for the best performance of a Beethoven sonata at the Seoul International Music Competition in South Korea, Charles was recently awarded the Order of Arts and Letters of Quebec, and the prestigious Career Development Award offered by the Women’s Musical Club of Toronto.

I had been waiting for such a performance since the beginning of the Competition. The man is every inch an artist, an extraordinarily mature musician who focuses on the beauty of Chopin’s works, which he performs with a high degree of consciousness. He is one of the few who can find a wise balance between the spirit of Chopin and his own individuality, which he demonstrated, for instance, in his masterful interpretation of the Ballade in A-flat major.

Róża Światczyńska, Polish Radio 2 (October 7, 2015)

He has appeared in various prestigious festivals including La Roque d’Anthéron in France, the Prague Spring Festival, the “Chopin and his Europe” Festival in Warsaw and the Lanaudière Festival in Canada. As a soloist, he has performed with various ensembles including the Montreal Symphony Orchestra, Toronto Symphony Orchestra, Singapour Symphony Orchestra, Hiroshima Symphony Orchestra, Warsaw Philharmonic, Quebec Symphony Orchestra, OFUNAM (Mexico City), Orchestre Métropolitain, National Arts Center Orchestra, Edmonton Symphony Orchestra, Calgary Philharmonic Orchestra, Violons du Roy, I Musici de Montréal, Sinfonia Varsovia and the Poznań Philharmonic.

Originally from Lanaudière in Québec, Charles studied with Paul Surdulescu, Sara Laimon, Boris Berman and André Laplante. He obtained a bachelor’s degree in performance from McGill University in 2011 and a master’s degree from the Yale School of Music in 2013 and received full scholarships in both institutions. He also completed an Artist Diploma program at the Conservatoire de Musique de Montréal in 2016 and currently works on a regular basis with pianist Jean Saulnier.

Charles Richard-Hamelin’s first solo CD, which features late works by Chopin, was released on the Analekta label in September 2015 and received widespread acclaim from critics throughout the world (Diapason, BBC Music Magazine, Le Devoir). A second album, presenting works of Chopin, Beethoven and Enescu was recorded at the Palais Montcalm in Quebec City and released in September 2016 under the same label.

Charles Richard-Hamelin’s 2017-2018 season highlights include three tours in Japan, the recording of the first volume of the complete Beethoven violin sonatas with Montreal Symphony Orchestra Concertmaster Andrew Wan as well as over 60 concerts in Canada, Asia, Europe and the USA. www.charlesrichardhamelin.com

Concert Program:

Robert Schumann  (1810-1856) Arabeske opus 18
Fantaisie opus 17
Intermission
Frederic Chopin  (1810-1849) Four Ballades:
No. 1 in G Minor opus 23
No. 2 in F Major opus 38
No. 3 in A Flat Major opus 47
No. 4 in F Minor opus 52

Click on the images/links below to view a couple of short videos of Charles Richard-Hamelin from the 2015 Chopin Competition in Warsaw, Poland.

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.

 

Cheng Squared Duo

Cheng² Duo – January 18, 2018

by SillyGilly, posted in Concert

Cheng Squared DuoCheng² Duo
Thursday January 18, 2018 7:30 pm
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The obvious affection between the 19 and 26 year old siblings, Bryon Cheng – cello and Silvie Cheng – piano, extends deep under their virtuoso fireworks to bring inner life to each dynamic work in their varied repertoire. They were named by CBC Music as one of 2015’s “30 hot Canadian classical musicians under 30”.

19-year-old cellist Bryan Cheng, a guest soloist with numerous orchestras since his debut at age 10 in Montréal under the baton of Yuli Turovsky, is a 1st-prize winner of the 2016 National Arts Centre Bursary Competition, 1st-prize winner of the 2011 Canadian Music Competition, and 1st-prize winner at the Ontario Music Federation Association Competition in 2009-2011-2012.

26-year-old pianist Silvie Cheng is a recent graduate from the Manhattan School of Music in New York with a Master’s Degree in Piano Performance, and the recipient of the Roy M. Rubinstein Award for exceptional promise in piano performance.

Cheng2 Duo’s wide-ranging repertoire for the cello and piano has brought them to present recitals and performances on three continents, in notable venues throughout North America, Europe and Asia (China and South Korea). They have performed at the Aspen Music Festival, Trasimeno Music Festival (Italy), Orford Music Festival, Ottawa Chamberfest, Festival of the Sound, CAMMAC Festival, and Festival Pontiac Enchanté, and they have been featured several times on CBC Radio Two, as well as on Vermont Public Radio.

The duo released their debut album, Violoncelle français, on the German classical label audite in October 2016, which has been lauded by international press and publications in France, Luxembourg, Germany, the Netherlands, Canada, and USA for its “musical sensitivity”, “maturity and perfection”, “taste, sure flair for phrasing, and beauty of sound”. Their sophomore album featuring Spanish works will be recorded in October 2017 in Berlin, Germany. cheng2duo

Concert Program: The Russian Soul

Sergei Prokofiev (1891-1953) Sonata in C Major for Cello and Piano, Op. 119
Anton Arensky (1861-1906) Two Pieces, Op. 12
Alexander Scriabin (1871-1915) Romance
Intermission
Alexander Glazunov (1865-1936) Chant du Ménestrel, Op. 71
Sergei Rachmaninoff (1873-1943) Sonata in G minor for Cello and Piano, Op. 19

Click on the image/link below to view a short video of Cheng2 Duo.

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.

Collectif9

collectif9 – Sunday November 19, 2017

by SillyGilly, posted in Concert

Collectif9collectif9
Sunday November 19, 2017 7:30 pm
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Montreal’s cutting-edge classical string band collectif9​ ​has been gathering steam since its 2011 debut, attracting diverse audiences in varied spaces. Known for energized, innovative arrangements of classical repertoire, collectif9​ ​employs lights, staging, and amplification more commonly seen at rock acts, and heralds a new age in genre-bending classical performance.

The ensemble’s debut album “Volksmobiles” was released in 2016 and collectif9​ ​has already performed over 80 concerts across North America, Europe, and Asia. From outdoor concerts at Canadian summer festivals, to winter tours in the north, to Christmas-time in China, the ensemble combines the power of an orchestra with the crispness of a chamber ensemble. collectif9​’s new show, VolksMusica, expands upon the folk melodies and rhythms audiences have come to expect in a collectif9 performance, but integrates an ironic flavour with works by Mahler, Ligeti, Gabriel Prokofiev, and others.

The musicians in collectif9 include: Thibault Bertin-Maghit (bass and arrangements), Scott Chancey (viola), Jérémie Cloutier (cello), John Corban (violin), Yubin Kim (violin), Robert Margaryan (violin), Elizabeth Skinner (violin), Andrea Stewart (cello), Jennifer Thiessen (viola), and Rufat Aliev (sound engineer).

collectif9 has received a great deal of support and encouragement, and are very grateful to the Conseil des arts et des lettres du Québec, the Canada Council for the Arts, the Conseil des arts de Montréal, FACTOR, and Musitechnic. www.collectif9.ca

The warm-up act for this concert will be performed by pianist Craig Matterson. Now 18, Craig started taking piano lessons at a very young age and plays numerous genres including classical, jazz, and alternative rock. He is a member of the local alternative rock band Daysormay (formally //AMISTAD//), who just returned from a tour in Ontario. He plays in several other groups, as well as giving solo performances.

Click on the image/link below to view a short video of collectif9 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.

Double Double Duo (revised)

Double Double Duo – Saturday October 21, 2017

by SillyGilly, posted in Concert

Double-Double Duo
Saturday October 21, 2017 7:30 pm
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Kornel Wolak (clarinet and piano) and Alexander Sevastien (accordion) represent the best of new, young classical musicians – intellect, expertise, talent and just plain fun! In a classy and dynamic show, Double-Double Duo uniquely fuses classical showpieces with folk, world, jazz, and pop music.

Highly acclaimed for his musical imagination, Dr. Kornel Wolak (clarinet/piano) has been praised by numerous critics: “Control and a smooth, elegant expressivity are what make Wolak shine.” (Toronto Star)

A native of Minsk, Belarus, accordionist Alexander Sevastien is winner of the prestigious Coupe Mondiale International Accordion Competition in 2007 (Washington, DC), the Oslofjord (Norway 1998), Cup of the North (Russia 2000) and Antony Galla-Rini (USA 2001). He is also a member of Quartetto Gelatto.

Since their inaugural performance in 2012, Double-Double Duo has been presented by major arts organizations, including The Ontario Philharmonic, Barrie Concerts, The Royal Ontario Museum, The Chopin Society of Canada and the Calgary Stampede. Double-Double’s music is fun and fiery, as they continue to push the boundaries of live-performance to the next level! They released their debut album “Rock Bach” in November 2015. www.doubledoubleduo.com

This concert is our annual “gala event” where those who feel so inclined are invited to dress “to the nines”.

Once again, this season we will be showcasing some of the North Okanagan’s talented young musicians prior to each concert. This concert will be opened by Christopher Dlouhy. Chris began piano lessons at age five  and currently studies piano with Marjorie Close. After completing his Grade 10 piano exam earning First Class Honours with Distinction he is working towards completing his ARCT in piano performance this coming June. Chris also studies violin with Imant Raminsh, plays clarinet in the Okanagan Symphony Youth Orchestra, and sings with AURA Chamber Choir.

Click on the image below to watch a video of Kornel Wolak playing “Petite Fleur” with his other Double-Double Duo accordion partner, Michael Bridge:

Click on the image below to watch a video of Alexander Sevastian playing Bach’s Organ Toccata and Fugue in D minor on the accordion:

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.

Duo Rendezvous

Review: duo provides a worthwhile rendezvous

by SillyGilly, posted in Review
Duo Rendezvous
Violinist Jasper Wood and guitarist Daniel Bolshoy charmed the audience at the last concert of the North Okanagan Community Concert Association’s season on March 18th.

By Jim Leonard

Some well-played Chopin from Vernon pianist Alex MacArthur was a good start to NOCCA’s final concert of the season Saturday at the Vernon Performing Arts Centre.

The piece, Scherzo in B-flat, was played brilliantly by MacArthur, who recently joined the faculty at the Vernon Community Music School. He has also played with the Okanagan and Kamloops symphony orchestras as guest soloist.

Duo Rendezvous, with Jasper Wood on violin and Daniel Bolshoy on guitar, began their program with the Suite in E minor by J.S. Bach. The music was very intricate and at times I sensed a little uneasiness in the ensemble between the two players. This lasted for only a short time in this very demanding and complex work.

In the Suite Populaire Espagnole by Manuel de Falla (1876-1946) the duo showed their skills. There were various instrumental effects: harmonics produced by touching the string(s) lightly at strategic spots on the fingerboard and pizzicato on the violin, etc.

Wood’s violin tone was extraordinarily beautiful at all times. He proved himself to be a true master of the violin.

The last piece of the first half, Introduction and Tarentelle by violin virtuoso Pablo de Saraste (1844-1908), explored the outer limits of the violin’s range. It resorted to harmonics to go beyond the usual notes of the fingerboard. Wood’s intonation was always perfect as he played in the piece’s gypsy style.

Bolshoy was up to the task of keeping the rhythm constant while providing all the harmony on the six strings of his guitar – no mean feat indeed.

The second half of the concert began with Antonio Carlos Jobim’s Luiza. Jobim (1927-1994) was a Latin style composer/pianist famous for his bossa nova pieces. That’s not what we heard in Luiza. The piece was modern and emotional with complex harmonies and free rhythmic movement. Apparently Jobim had several love affairs throughout his life and Luiza is said to be one of them.

Histoire du Tango and Seasons of Buenos Aires by Italian composer Astor Piazzolla (1921-1992) had percussion effects added by both the violin and the guitar. Wood bowed his violin close to the bridge next to the chin rest, producing a raspy imitation of maracas. Bolshoy tapped on his guitar giving a bongo effect. Each piece represented scenes from various places in Latin America. In spite of the brilliant playing of these pieces, I must admit they were beginning to sound a little similar to each other.

Csardas by Vittorio Monti (1868-1922) was a refreshing antidote to the previous set of pieces, with its lively pace and virtuosic playing of the violin. The technique of both players was flawless and exciting to witness.

A brief whimsical encore called Cafe Espresso 1930 (I didn’t catch the composer) sent the enthusiastic audience home satisfied.

I would like to thank the NOCCA organization for a wonderful season of diverse and delightful entertainment.

Review By Jim Leonard For The Vernon Morning Star