“Outstanding”, “magnificent”, “spectacular”, “out of this world”….. we all agreed that today’s sold out concert was an experience that left us in awe of these beautiful artists.
Thank you to Catherine Ordronneau and Kai Gleusteen for an unforgettable performance, and to all the enthusiastic audience members who attended!
Catherine Ordronneau, piano; Kai Gleusteen, violin
Sunday, January 12 at 2pm
First working together in 1999, Kai and Catherine have established themselves as one of the most important duos in the interpretation of sonatas for violin and piano. Having performed more than 100 recitals in Europe, Canada and USA, they are praised for their unique partnership and the emotional power of their interpretations, and are described as playing as if under the control of a single intelligence.
Romanian Folk Dances, Sz. 56 — Béla Viktor János Bartók (1881—1945)
Joc cu bâtǎ. Allegro moderato
Brâul. Allegro
Pê-loc. Andante
Buciumeana. Moderato
Poargǎ româneascǎ. Allegro
Mǎrunţel. L’istesso
Mǎrunţel. Allegro vivace
Violin Sonata No. 3 in A Minor, Op. 25 — George Enescu (1881—1955)Moderato malinconico
Andante sostenuto e misterioso
Allegro con brio, ma non troppo mossoSonata in A major for piano and violin — César Auguste Jean Guillaume Hubert Franck (1822—1890)
Allegretto ben moderato
Allegro
Ben moderato: Recitativo-Fantasía
Allegretto poco mossoThree Preludes — George Gershwin (1898—1937)
Allegro ben ritmato e deciso
Andante con moto e poco rubato
Allegro ben ritmato e deciso
Since 1999 when they first began to work together, Kai Gleusteen and Catherine Ordronneau have established themselves as one of the most important duos in the interpretation of sonatas for violin and piano. Having performed more than 100 recitals in Europe, Canada and USA, they are praised for their unique partnership, “playing under the control of a single intelligence”, and for the emotional power of their interpretations.
In 2004, they were featured in the television program Classical Now, a nationally broadcast show, as well as a two-hour program on CBC radio in Canada including a live recital . They also received critical acclaim for the release of their first recording for the AVIE records label, which includes a “standout performance of the Prokofiev sonata, one of the finest on records.” In May 2004, their second recording with sonatas by Grieg, Dvorak, and Franck was distributed world-wide.
Their repertoire encompasses most of the great sonatas for violin and piano, as well as a myriad of short pieces representing the countries where they perform. Among recent projects was a tour in the USA with performances with the St Louis Symphony, recitals in Chicago as well as in the San Francisco area and gala concert in the prestigious Hotel de Ville of Paris.
Canadian born violinist, Kai Gleusteen started at the age of five years old in his native city, Calgary. Early on, he met with success in national music competitions in addition to receiving top academic awards. Already at a young age, he had the opportunity to study with the most renowned violinists and teachers of his time, including Nathan Milstein, Ivan Galamian, Josef Gingold, Dorothy Delay, and Zakhar Bron. By the age of seventeen, Kai was awarded the top prize in the Commonwealth Concerto Competition in Australia, he had received the prestigious Skene Award in Scotland and had formed his first chamber orchestra: The Group of Twelve.
A strong believer in the musician as a multi-dimensional human being, Kai chose to combine his musical studies with academic pursuits. At the University of Michigan, he studied anthropology, geophysics, and philosophy. He received a Master’s Degree from Rice University under the tutelage of the person who would become his greatest inspiration on both a personal and musical level, the violinist Camilla Wicks.
In 1991, Kai moved to Europe to live in the heart of Western Culture. Paris and Prague were his bases for nine years, allowing him to develop and perform both as a soloist and leader of numerous orchestras. In the year 2000, he won the concertmaster position of the Orchestra ‘del Gran Teatre del Liceu’ and subsequently moved to Barcelona. In 2003, he created the Gran Teatre del Liceu Chamber Orchestra and was appointed professor at the Escuela Superior de Musica de Catalunya. He continues to perform extensively as a soloist and a recitalist throughout Europe and North America and has released numerous critically acclaimed recordings.
Having performed her first recital at the age of twelve, it isn’t until the age of twenty, after two years of law school that Catherine Ordronneau decides to devote herself entirely to music.
Taught by Colette Fernier, Monique Deschaussées, Sergio Perticaroli, and encouraged by François-René Duchâble, she receives the highest distinction at the Conservatory in Rouen and later the prestigious Concert Award at the Ecole Normale Alfred Cortot in Paris.
Catherine is also awarded the Yvonne Lefébure Foundation Prize leading to television and radio broadcasts and concert engagements.
Catherine chooses to avoid the international competition circuit in favour of taking the time to study repertoire in its historical context. Being a great lover of nature, a fan of Marcel Proust and having spent many years in Normandy, she explores in depth the composers who were inspired by this region, such as Roussel, Debussy, and Saint-Saëns. She deepens her understanding of Beethoven, Schumann and Brahms with numerous trips to Germany, her knowledge of the language and by reading Goethe and Heine. Her interpretation of Chopin is nourished by the time spent in Poland and a close examination of his letters. She delivers “mesmerising performances in which her ability to summon a myriad of colour is allied to a total artistic integrity”. (The Times)
Catherine’s approach to music is very much appreciated not only by solo piano audiences throughout Europe and North America but also by various renowned chamber musicians. She is invited to perform in music festivals throughout these countries and devotes a large part of her time to the duo with Kai Gleusteen and the Trio Liceu.
A heartwarming and joyful program of seasonal music by the excellent singers of the Cowichan Vocal Collective brought our audience to their feet in a standing ovation.
Thank you to all who came out to enjoy this gift of music.
The Cowichan Vocal Collective
Sunday, December 1 at 2pm
Since their inception in 2019, the Cowichan Vocal Collective has been harmonizing and raising their voices in song for causes close to their community’s heart. More than just a choir, they are a group of passionate individuals dedicated to using their music to uplift, inspire, and unite, always directing their proceeds towards impactful initiatives. Celebrate the season of giving in community with these outstanding singers!
The First Noel – Traditional, arranged by Pinkzebra
Sing We Now of Christmas – Traditional, arranged by Audrey Snyder
Wiegenlied (Christmas Lullaby) – John Rutter (1945 — )
Berceuse de Noel – Joseph Bovet (1879 — 1951)
Sing Along – Joy to the World
What Child is This – Traditional, arranged by John Cornish
O Magnum Mysterium – Morten Lauridsen (1943 — )
Ding Dong Merrily on High – Taborout/Woodward, arranged by Philip Stopford
Here Comes Santa Claus – Autry/Haldeman/Melka, arranged by Kirby Shaw
Remembering Decembers – Pinkzebra
Feliz Navidad – José Feliciano (1945 —), arranged by Paul Langford
Holly Jolly Christmas Johnny Marks (1909 — 1985), arranged by Kirby Shaw
Winter Wonderland – Bernhardt/Smith, arranged by Maryanne Muglia
Sing Along – Rudolph, the red-nosed reindeer
Once Upon a December – Flaherty/Ahrens, arranged by Mark Brymer
Jingle Bells – Pierpont (1822 — 1893), arranged by Gordon Langford
White Christmas – Irving Berlin (1888 — 1989), arranged by Mac Huff
The Cowichan Vocal Collective is a mixed voice chamber choir that started in 2019 and is comprised of ten local Cowichan Valley musicians. This passionate group has significant choral experience, including several members with degrees and certifications in music and music education. Collectively, the singers have performed in many advanced and professional choirs across Canada, including Vancouver Chamber Choir, Elektra Women’s Choir, Encore! Women’s Choir, Phoenix Chamber Choir, University of Victoria Chamber Singers, Chor Leoni, University of Alberta Concert Choir, and many more.
The choir formed with purpose of holding one concert to raise funds for a local Homeless Prevention Fund, but we had too much fun so had to keep singing! Our members gather weekly for rehearsals and spend 3-4 months preparing each concert. Since that first concert, we have continued to share our voices in concerts twice a year where proceeds support local charitable causes. Past recipients have included the Cowichan Women Against Violence Society, ARC: Assisting Refugees in Cowichan, and Providence Farm.
Cowichan Vocal Collective Members:
Sheena Christie – Alto, occasional Tenor
Tom Ellis – Tenor
Christina Hof Taylor – Soprano
Makiko Johnston – Alto
John Lofto – Bass
Bonnie Louden – Soprano, Pianist
Kevin Louden – Bass
Kevin Mattinson – Tenor
Lara Nowlan – Alto
Michelle Weckesser – Soprano, Rehearsal Director, and any other vocal part we need her on
For further information on our concert dates, to find out more information about our choir or to donate directly to the choir please email: cowichanvocalcollective@gmail.com
The wildly talented young musicians of the Collegium performed an excellent program! Thank you to our performers and enthusiastic audience!
Artists of the Victoria Conservatory of Music’s Collegium Program
Sunday, November 3 at 2pm
The Victoria Conservatory’s Collegium Program provides ensemble opportunities and deep engagement for exceptional teenage musicians, supporting and challenging them to become the best they can be, in music and in life. The chamber music program is highly successful and rated among the best in the country. Its students perform with a maturity and skill well above their age level, winning top prizes in local, provincial, and national music festivals.
CCC proudly supports these young performers in their quest for excellence!
String Quartet no.1 in F major, Opus 18 no. 1 — Ludwig van Beethoven
I Allegro con brio
— Glengarry Quartet (Janou Boutilier, Isidora Uhlman, Walter Rees, Celina Holt)Woodwind Trio in C major, Opus 87 — Ludwig van Beethoven
I Allegro
— Queen Alexandra Trio (Judy Su, Celine Liu, Bella Zhang)Suite in D major for 3 violins, Opus 17 — Friederich Hermann
I Grave: Energico ed appassionato, ma in tempo moderato
— Josef Hassid Trio (Jessie Wang, Michaela Yee, Owen Fitzgerald)
Piano Trio No. 4 in E minor, Op. 90, B. 166 (Dumky — Antonín Leopold Dvořák
I Lento maestoso — Allegro quasi doppio movimiento
— Mount St. Mary Piano Trio (Andrei Krasnov, Max Webster, Felicia Ma (subbing for Filbert Zhang))Creatures of the Enchanted Forest (Flute Quartet) — Anže Rozman
II “The Bird…”
III “The Evening Singer”
— Jubilee Flute Quartet (Tyler Evans-Knott, Daniel Sanabria, Miya Doak, Emilia Vozian)
Piano Trio no. 1 in F major, opus 18 — Charles-Camille Saint-Saëns
I Allegro vivace
— Samson and Delilah Trio (Max Francis, Joanne Jiang, Felicia Ma)
Founded in January 2006, the Young Artist Collegium Program provides colleagues and peers for exceptional young musicians, supporting and challenging them to become the best they can be, in music and in life.
Delivered in an after-school format, the Collegium is an enriched program for talented young classical musicians playing piano, string, wind, and brass instruments, all brought together with outstanding teachers to create a lively, collaborative educational experience devoted to the pursuit of musical excellence.
It provides the environment for students to develop and thrive both as soloists and as chamber musicians; and all the necessary tools needed to think critically and work as a team.
The Collegium has been described as “likely one of the best, if not THE best, program for young musicians in BC”. Members of the Collegium are consistently winners of local, provincial and national music festivals, as well as scholarships to prestigious universities and postsecondary music schools such as Julliard, Glenn Gould School in Toronto, or Schulich Music at McGill; and our alumni are now members of symphonies in Montreal, Ottawa (National Arts Centre), Winnipeg, Edmonton, Vancouver and Victoria.
Our 20th season opened with an interesting and varied program of guitar and piano music by Vancouver artist, Itamar Erez. We were delighted to see so many new faces in the audience! Itamar played a mix of classical, contemporary, and own compositions, displaying his gift to interpret various musical genres and intricate rhythmic patterns. Thanks to our artist and our appreciative audience.
Itamar Erez, guitar and piano
Sunday, October 6 at 2pm
Blend Middle Eastern music, jazz, and flamenco, and you find the unique sound of Itamar Erez, world-renowned guitarist, pianist, and composer. His music is praised for its depth and sensitivity, and has been heard at prestigious venues around the world. In a program especially created for our series, Itamar will perform music by J.S. Bach, Brazilian composers such as Pixinguinha and Garoto, and also his own compositions for guitar and piano.
Presto (from Violin Sonata in G minor, BWV 1001) — Johann Sebastian Bach
Hommage/Sheva — Itamar Erez
Migrant Voices — Itamar Erez
Desvairada — Garoto
Intense — Itamar Erez
Seu Laurenco no Vinho — PixinguinhaYahli’s Lullaby — Itamar Erez
Choro For Lulo — Itamar Erez
New Dawn — Itamar Erez
Blackbird — John Lennon
Landslide — Fleetwood Mac / Stevie Nicks
Requinto — Itamar Erez
Itamar’s music holds a depth and sensitivity that touches listeners deeply. It blends the delicateness of Middle Eastern music, the freedom found in jazz and the passion of flamenco, creating a unique sound all his own. Recipient of the 2014 ACUM Prize for Special Achievement in Jazz and the prestigious 2014 Landau Prize, Itamar Erez is an internationally renowned composer and guitarist who has shared the stage with such musicians as Omar Faruk Tekbilek, Tomatito, Avishai Cohen, JeanLouis Matinier, Zohar Fresco, and others.
“The music really catches fire…Erez stretches out, using his impressive instrumental technique to great effect…” (Songlines Magazine- 2010)
Itamar has released Six albums to date, including “Desert Song” (2006) and “Hommage” (2010) with the Adama Ensemble, “New Dawn” (2013) with percussionist Yshai Afterman and special guest Antonio Serrano on harmonica, and “Mi Alegria” (2019). “May Song,” was released in October 2022 and features music written during the COVID-19 pandemic. “Migrant Voices”, Itamar’s 6th album, was released in 2024. It is an collaboration album with Hamin Honari (Iranian-Canadian percussionist). This unique project blends diverse cultural influences, highlighting the spontaneous interplay between guitar and percussion.
In recent years, Itamar performed in Canada, USA, Germany, Netherlands, Austria, Cyprus, Israel, India, Tunisia, Colombia & Surinam. Itamar made his Carnegie Hall (NY) debut Apr 2018 performing with the Omar Faruk Tekbilek Ensemble with Ara Dinjkian & Brian Keane as special guests.
Among the venues and festivals that Itamar played throughout his career were: Barbican Hall (London UK), Sydney Opera (Sydney, Australia), the Jerusalem Jazz Festival (Israel), Oman Opera House, The Megaron (Athens, Greece), Schauspielhaus Leipzig (Germany), Amsterdam Jewish Music Festival (Holland), the Vancouver International Jazz Festival, and others. As a workshop facilitator and masterclass teacher, Itamar shares his unique approach to music and instrumentation with students around the globe. Recent gigs for Itamar included showcasing his quartet at the JazzAhead music conference April 2022 in Bremen, Germany and touring in Israel with his quartet in November 2022, playing with International Guitar Night (2023).
2024 brings a variety of performances in Canada, US & Europe, including gigs at the Vancouver International Jazz Festival, Penticton’s Dream Cafe, Bellingham’s Jazz Center, Edmonton’s Yardbird Suite, and many others. A new collaboration with Guitar Poet Brian Gore will see more concerts in the US and Canada in 2024. In addition to his performing and teaching career, Itamar has also composed music for various chamber ensembles and classical guitarists, as well as for film. He has written commissioned works for the ‘Sound of Dragon Ensemble’ and other groups, and his compositions for classical guitar, including “Yahli’s Lullaby,” “Morning Song,” “Choro for Lulo,” and “Choro Sentimental,” have been played by concert guitarists around the world. Itamar has also written music for the film “Greek To Me,” directed by Harry Killas.
He is currently on faculty at the Vancouver Symphony Orchestra School of Music, teaching guitar, jazz, and world music.
Ending our season on the highest note possible!
Bravo to Victor Fournelle-Blain and Jean-Sébastien Levesque for an outstanding concert
of French sonatas for violin and piano!
Victor Fournelle-Blain, violin; Jean-Sébastien Levesque, piano
Sunday, June 16 at 2pm
Victor Fournelle-Blain is the Principal Viola of the Orchestre Symphonique de Montréal, and enjoys an active career as orchestral and chamber musician, soloist and teacher. Also originally from Montreal, pianist Jean-Sébastien Levesque recently moved to Vancouver where he now serves as Artistic Director of Bach on the Rock, Salt Spring Island’s chamber orchestra and choir. Their program features the violin sonatas of French composers Debussy, Ravel and Saint-Saëns, demonstrating each composer’s unique style.
Sonata for Violin and Piano in G minor, L. 140 — Claude Debussy (1862 — 1918)
I. Allegro vivoII. Intermède: fantasque et léger
III. Finale: très animé
Sonata for Violin and Piano No. 2 in G major, M. 77 — Maurice Ravel (1875 — 1937)
I. Allegretto (G major)II. Blues. Moderato (A♭ major)
III. Perpetuum mobile. Allegro (G major)
Sonata for Violin and Piano No. 1 in D minor, Op. 75 — Camille Saint-Saëns (1835 — 1921)
Ia. Allegro agitato (attacca)Ib. Adagio
IIa. Allegretto moderato (attacca)
IIb. Allegro molto
Violinist and violist Victor Fournelle-Blain is leading an active career as an orchestral and chamber musician, soloist and teacher. Currently Principal Viola of the Orchestre Symphonique de Montréal, where he previously held Associate Principal, 2nd assistant and section positions, he was also Principal Viola of the Toronto Symphony Orchestra (2019-2021). He has taught viola at the University of Toronto and Université de Montréal, and now teaches at McGill’s Schulich School of Music. In the summer season he attends festivals such as Concerts aux Îles du Bic, Orford Academy, Camp Musical des Laurentides and Formandi Festival (Guadalajara, Mexico). Victor first studied the violin at the Conservatoire de musique de Montréal under Johanne Arel, then completed a Master of Music under Ani Kavafian at the Yale School of Music, after which he obtained an Artist Diploma at McGill’s Schulich School of Music, studying the viola with André Roy. He was awarded the 2014 Golden Violin Award (McGill), the 2012 Prix d’Europe, and the second prize of the 2010 OSM Standard Life Competition.
Originally from Montreal, Jean-Sébastien Levesque recently moved to Vancouver where he now serves as Artistic Director of Bach on the Rock, Salt Spring Island’s chamber orchestra and choir. A graduate from Université de Montréal and from Conservatoire de musique de Montréal, Jean-Sébastien has studied with renowned musicians and teachers such as André Laplante, Raffi Armenian, and Jean Saulnier. He has also participated in master classes with esteemed pianists including Jean-Philippe Collard, Jacques Rouvier, Louis Lortie, John Perry, and Marc Durand. Jean-Sébastien founded the Chœur du Brouhaha in 2010, a choir with over 60 singers that focuses on democratizing choral singing. He has also served as the founder and conductor of the choir at the Orchestre Philharmonique des Musiciens de Montréal, the children’s choir of Église Saint-Stanislas-de-Kostka, and as Artistic Director and Conductor of Ensemble Vocal Vivace and of Ensemble Choral Saint-Eustache. As a pianist, Jean-Sébastien has collaborated with numerous musicians and singers, and has been involved in various projects promoting classical music to a wider audience. He has also commissioned and premiered several works by Québécois composers.