An exotic blend of musical virtuosity, artistic passion and humour.
With sold-out performances in New York, Washington, Los Angeles, London, Tokyo, Hong Kong and elsewhere, this dazzling ensemble has enchanted audiences and critics worldwide with its exotic blend of musical virtuosity, artistic passion and humour. With a performance repertoire that spans the globe and includes classical masterworks, engaging vocals, the sizzling energy of tangos, gypsy and klezmer songs, the group’s theatrical stage presence and relaxed humour establish an intimate rapport with audiences worldwide.
At the 2010 INDIE Awards, Quartetto Gelato was honoured as Best Classical Ensemble, and achieved unique global reach when Canadian astronaut Dr. Robert Thirsk chose their first two CDs to take on board during his NASA flight on the space shuttle Columbia, to literally be heard around the world!
On Wednesday, October 11th, Anders Erikson, accompanied by his mom, two sisters and grandfather opened NOCCA’S 2nd concert of the season with Hadyn’s Concerto in C major 1st Movement. Anders played nimbly. His fingers moved over the strings of the cello with grace and the notes wafted beautifully to the audience. The piece was marked by high concentration on the part of the young cellist as he played from memory.
The 2nd offering was a well known rendition of Phantom of the Opera in which the musicians played their parts well exemplifying their familial talent.
What a night of Klezmer music! The group Okotpus, stretched its tentacles from Montreal, and stretched our musical experience here in Vernon. Playing a wide variety of instruments including, wind, strings, brass and percussion, the music rollicked the audience like non-stop spinning tops and had many listeners dancing in their seats.
The facility of the players was apparent; the precision of the fast lines, intertwined with harmonic interplay between instruments, the abrupt stops and starts with the audience never quite knowing when a piece was actually complete until there was delicious silence. All examples of mind boggling musicianship. Much of the music evoked imagery of celebration, one such image comes to mind, that of a woman and a man sitting on chairs pulsing in the air while lifted high above the heads of wedding guests.
The music was complex and varied ranging from adapted classical repertoire (Hungarian Dance #5 Brahms, “we fixed the mistakes he made”), to a popular Quebec traditional reel all of which created an atmosphere of ceaseless spinning and energetic movement. It was wonderfully exhilarating. The players were thoroughly enjoying themselves, smiling as they played and had musical conversations with one another.
Near the end of the concert, the young performer, Anders Erikson was invited to the stage to participate in the playing of the Flatbush Waltz. There he was ensconced in the group of players who were appreciative and supportive of his talent. He graced the audience with a wonderfully melodic solo before being swept up in the chaotic melody of the entire group. It was a pleasure to see the expression of joy spread across his face as he adapted to become an integral member of the entire ensemble. Upon speaking with Anders and the ensemble after the concert, it was apparent that each was excited about the experience of a shared expression of talent.
The concert ended with a standing ovation and an amazing encore of Alle Bruder (All Brothers). It was a pure delight spending the evening with such incredible musical talent. As we were leaving the auditorium, one of the young players who accompanied Anders said, “That was the best concert I’ve ever been to…and I didn’t fall asleep!” Bravo! NOCCA for arranging such a memorable evening of music.
Review by Gerry Sholomenko and Shannon Marsh.
NOCCA’s next concert will feature Quartetto Gelato on Tuesday November 28, 2023. Tickets can be purchased atticket seller.ca or phone (250) 549-7469. For more information visit our website nocca.ca
Festive high energy performances, sprinkled with humour and spiced with narrative.
Oktopus is a major presence on the Canadian music scene, with over 250 performances to its credit at home and abroad. The group is primarily devoted to klezmer – the musical heritage of Eastern European Jews – distinguished by a novel approach that incorporates various components of classical, Québecois, and Jazz repertoires.
The group’s eight virtuoso musicians offer festive, high-energy performances, at once melancholic and profound, sprinkled with humour and spiced with narrative, in which original compositions and finely crafted arrangements combine with improvisation. Its members’ complicity, shared passion, and hard work are what makes each of their performances so memorable – whether on stage, in the street, on a ship, in a hot air balloon or in your living room, Oktopus is simply … spectacular!
Jaeden Izik-Dzurko with his parents & NOCCA president, Paul Maynes
On September 12, NOCCA’s ‘23-24 concert season was opened by Hadley Lanaway. Ms Lanaway treated the audience to three beautiful piano pieces. As she played, she relaxed into her chosen repertoire allowing concert goers to create images within each selection. Hadley ended her performance with a lovely Sea Dragon lilt by Ina Dykstra.
The featured artist, Jaeden Izik-Dzurko, is no stranger to NOCCA. He graced our stage as a youth performer playing on the “Dowager Steinway” in 2016. Tonight he enthralled audience members with his exquisite performance on NOCCA’S ‘lucky’ Steinway.
Jaeden welcomed the patrons into the evening’s offerings by opening with selected Moments Musicaux, D.780 by Franz Schubert. He played with seamless precision. He was one with his instrument and one with the music, gifting the listeners with a performance full of heart and passion.
His interpretation of Nikolai Medtner’s Sonata, Romantica, in B flat Min. Op 53 No.1 was a stunning rendition that showcased his profound technical ability and deep engagement with the music. The audience was spellbound and spontaneously rose in their appreciation of Jaeden’s immense musicality.
After a much needed intermission for both the audience and Jaeden, no doubt, we were once again left breathless by his performance of Ravel’s Miroirs. This technically challenging piece appeared easy under Jaeden’s fingers. It evoked images of moths flitting in the night to the movement of sparkling ocean water and brought concert goers to their feet yet again.
It was with immense pleasure that we were treated to his final selection, Scherzo No.1 in B minor, Op.20 by Frederic Chopin. This work was followed by Jaeden’s first encore leaving patrons thoroughly sophonsified. However, Jaeden offered us one more warm musical nightcap to send us on our way. When he concluded his concert, a collective sigh of absolute appreciation could be heard echoing throughout the theatre.
There are simply not enough superlatives to describe this magnificent performance and performer.
Review by Shannon Marsh, Emily Fraser and Gerry Sholomenko
Nocca’s next concert will feature Oktopus on Wednesday October 11, 2023. Tickets can be purchased atticket seller.ca or phone (250) 549-7469. For more information visit our website at nocca.ca
The 2023/24 NOCCA concert season begins with one of the North Okanagan’s great sources of musical pride, pianist Jaeden Izik-Dzurko. Over the past ten years, Jaeden has opened for NOCCA presentations as well as performed for the North Okanagan Youth Showcase of Excellence (NOYSE). After graduating from high school in Salmon Arm, he went on to the Juilliard School of Music and graduated in 2022 with his Bachelor of Music. Jaeden recently completed his master’s degree at UBC under Dr. Corey Hamm.
Celebrated by the CBC in 2021 as one of “30 hot Canadian classical musicians under 30” Jaeden Izik-Dzurko is earning a reputation as a promising young artist. Recognized by audiences, conductors, composers and critics alike for his exceptional communicative power and the thoughtfulness of his interpretations “… he projects a distinctive musical personality that imbues even the most routine passagework with character and individuality” (Calgary Herald). In 2022 Jaeden won piano competitions both in North America and in Europe, and his road to success continues here in Vernon as he entertains us with works by classical masters as well as, at least, one of his own compositions. Come out and enjoy the talents a rising star.
North Okanagan Community Concert Association 