There is not much to report these days with respect to NOCCA’s plans. We’re hoping to be able to present in the fall of 2021, but nothing is certain, yet. Trio d’Argento has kindly sent us a link to a free concert video of their live performance in Tofino, January 2020. They were presented in Vernon by NOCCA in November of 2018, and were widely praised for their inspiration and virtuosity.
The link below will be available between February 15th and March 8th 2021. Enjoy this concert, and Trio d’Argento encourages everyone to give generously to NOCCA and other worthy arts organizations that need all our support to launch successful live seasons after the Covid pandemic comes to an end.
The concert program is:
Ludwig van Beethoven (1770 – 1827) Trio op.11 for flute, cello and piano (arr. S.Marquardt) I. Allegro con brio II. Adagio III. Thema con Variazioni
Sergei Rachmaninoff (1873 – 1943) Etudes op.33 no.2 & op.39 no.3 for piano solo
Bohuslav Martinu (1890 – 1959) Trio for flute, cello and piano I. Poco Allegretto II. Adagio III. Andante – Allegretto scherzando
Trio d’Argento: Sibylle Marquardt, flute Paul Pulford, cello Todd Yaniw, piano
Please click on the image/link below to view the concert. Enjoy! 😁
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.
Trio 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) :
Trio D’Argento
North Okanagan Community Concert Association 