VENUE: Duncan United Church, 246 Ingram Street, Duncan
Please note that this concert starts at 4:00pm
Born in Campbell River, now based in Paris, France, Matthew Blackburn’s performances have been described as breathtaking, uplifting, and glorious. In this recital, he illuminates the captivating dialogue across generations of composers such as J.S. Bach and his son C.P.E. Bach, as well as Franz Liszt and his student Juliusz Zarebski. Other works by Beethoven and Canadian composer John Burge round out a program that celebrates reflection and renewal.
Programme
French Suite No. 4 in E-flat major, BWV 815 — Johann Sebastian Bach (1685-1750) Allemande Courante Sarabande Gavotte Menuet Air Gigue
Rondo in A Major, Wq. 58 No. 1, H. 276 — Carl Philipp Emmanuel Bach (1714-1788)
Sonata No. 17 in D minor, Opus 31 No. 2 “The Tempest” — Ludwig van Beethoven (1770-1827) Largo – Allegro Adagio Allegretto
Everything Waits for the Lilacs — John Burge (1961- )
Barcarolle No. 4 in A-Flat Major, Op. 44 — Gabriel Fauré (1845-1924)
Les roses et les épines, Op.13 — Juliusz Zarębski (1854-1885) Andante con moto Allegro molto
Mephisto Waltz No.1, S.514 “The Dance in the Inn”, from Lenau’s Faust — Franz Liszt (1811-1886)
Background information
Born in British Columbia, pianist Matthew Blackburn was the winner of the Lethbridge Symphony’s Young Artist Competition (Canada). He holds a Master of Music from the University of Calgary, where he studied with Charles Foreman and Marilyn Engle. He completed his performance studies with Georgian pianist, Guigla Katsarava, at the Ecole Normale de Musique de Paris. For his studies, he was generously supported by the Alberta Foundation for the Arts and awarded an artistic residency at the Cité internationale des arts in Paris.
At ease with a varied repertoire, from Bach and Beethoven to Hétu and Andronikou, Matthew Blackburn’s performances are always enthusiastically received. His performances have been described as “breathtaking” and “uplifting and glorious”. He has performed at numerous festivals, including the Mountainview International Festival (Calgary, Canada), Tuckamore Chamber Music Festival (St. John’s, Canada) and Académie Musicale Internationale “Barbara Krakauer” (Vaison-la-Romaine, France).
He has also performed at Salle Cortot, Espace Georges-Bernanos and Salon Honnorat at Cité Internationale (Paris, France), among others. He has performed with the Calgary Orchestra (Liszt’s Totentanz) and the Lethbridge Orchestra (Prokofiev’s Concerto No. 2), Lily String Quartet and Musaeus String Quartet. His last performance: a duo recital with Quebec tenor François-Olivier Jean, featuring French and Russian lyrical music at the Théâtre de L’île Saint Louis in Paris.
An avid outdoorsman, Matthew enjoys life in Montmartre, Paris with his young twin daughters.
Catherine Ordronneau, piano; and Kai Gleusteen, violin
Sunday, February 8 at 2:30 pm
VENUE: St Michael and All Angels Church, Chemainus
Please note that this concert starts at 2:30
Just as visual artists use chiaroscuro (strong contrasts between light and dark) to create a sense of depth and drama in a composition, composers of music employ contrasting light and dark tones to create a heightened emotional impact. Highly acclaimed duo Catherine and Kai return with a program for violin and piano, as well as solo piano. Works by Eugène Ysaÿe, Claude Debussy and Edward Elgar explore the many facets of the character of love.
Programme
Sonata no. 5 in F Major “Spring”, Op. 24 — Ludwig van Beethoven (1770-1827) Allegro Adagio molto espressivo Scherzo: Allegro molto Rondo: Allegro ma non troppo
Poème élégiaque in D minor, Op. 12 for violin and piano — Eugène-Auguste Ysaÿe (1858-1951) Allegro deciso Andante Scherzo: Vivace Finale: Presto
Intermission
Liebestod, from Tristan und Isolde for piano solo, WWV 90 — Richard Wagner-Franz Liszt (1811-1886)
Sonata for Violin and Piano in e minor, opus 82 — Edward Elgar (1857-1934) Allegro Romance: Andante Allegro non troppo
Background information
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 200 recitals in Europe, Canada and USA, they are praised for their unique partnership, “playing under the control of a single intelligence” (Gramophone Magazine), 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 record. In 2011, Kai and Catherine created a festival called Kaimerata Concerts which features various chamber music concerts with music of a single composer or country. Works are preceded by explanations and demonstrations of the pieces to be performed. This year marks the 14th season in Europe and the 10th in Western Canada. This year’s theme is French chamber music and will include works by Ravel, Poulenc, Messiaen, Francaix, Franck, and Fauré. Having performed her first recital at the age of twelve, it wasn’t until the age of twenty, after two years of law school, that Catherine Ordronneau decided to devote herself entirely to music. Taught by Colette Fernier, Monique Deschaussées, Sergio Perticaroli, and encouraged by François-René Duchâble, she received the highest distinction at the Conservatory in Rouen, and later the prestigious Concert Award at the École Normale Alfred Cortot in Paris. Catherine chooses to avoid the international competition circuit in favour of taking the time to study repertoire in its historical context. She delivers “mesmerising performances in which her ability to summon a myriad of colour is allied to a total artistic integrity”. (The Times). Canadian born violinist Kai Gleusteen started playing at the age of five years old in his native city, Calgary. Kai chose to combine his musical studies with academic pursuits. At the University of Michigan, he studied anthropology, geophysics, and philosophy and received a Master’s Degree from Rice University under the tutelage of 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 Orquestra Simfonica 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 recitalist throughout Europe and North America and has released numerous critically acclaimed recordings. Kai has the great fortune to play on a violin made by J.B. Guadagnini, “El Tigre”, made in 1781.
Arin Sarkissian, flute; Monica Pfau,piano; Brian Yoon, cello
Sunday, January 11 at 2:00 pm
VENUE: Sylvan United Church, 985 Shawnigan/Mill Bay Road, Mill Bay
Please note that this concert starts at 2:00
Victoria-based musicians Sarkissian, Yoon, and Pfau join forces to present Nikolai Kapustin’s Trio, an exhilarating fusion of classical form and jazz-infused brilliance, blending intricate counterpoint, virtuosic interplay, and irresistibly swinging rhythms into a seamless and electrifying musical experience. Also on the program are works by British composer Eugene Goossens, French composers Louise Farrenc and Francis Poulenc, and Robert Schumann.
Programme
Five Impressions of a Holiday, Op.7 (1914) — Eugene Goossens (1893-1962) In the hills By the rivers The water-wheel The village church At the fair
Trio for Flute, Cello, and Piano, Op. 45 (1857) — Louise Farrenc (1804-1875) Allegro deciso Andante Scherzo. Vivace Finale. Presto
Adagio and Allegro, Op. 70 (1849) — Robert Schumann (1810-1856)
Flute Sonata, FP 164 (1957) — Francis Poulenc (1899-1963 ii. Cantilena
Trio for Flute, Cello, and Piano, Op. 86 (1998) — Nikolai Kapustin (1937-2020 i. Allegro molto ii. Andante iii. Allegro giocoso
Background information
Residing in British Columbia, Arin Sarkissian is the Principal Flutist of the Victoria Symphony. The Toronto-born artist was awarded the 2024 Michael Measures 1st Prize by the Canada Council for the Arts and 1st Prize at Orchestre Symphonique de Montréal’s 2020 Concours. Sarkissian performs regularly as featured soloist both in Victoria and beyond, most recently as featured soloist on tour with the National Youth Orchestra of Canada and in a solo recital broadcasted by CBC on behalf of Orchestre Symphonique de Montréal. Orchestral appearances included invitations as fellow with the National Arts Centre Orchestra, substitute for the Vancouver Symphony, and guest Principal Flute with the Los Angeles Chamber Orchestra.
An accomplished soloist and chamber musician, pianist Monica Pfau has performed on a variety of stages across North America and Europe. Many of her performances have been featured on CBC Radio’s Westcoast Performance and she has recorded with the CBC Vancouver Orchestra under Mario Bernardi, the National Film Board of Canada, and for Australian cinema. A student of Robin Wood, early honours included the Victoria Medal (UVic), the ARCT Performer’s Gold Medal, BC Cultural Fund artist grants, and a DAAD scholarship to the Hochschule für Musik in Munich. Appointed Accompanist-in-Residence at the Banff Centre, Monica performed with renowned artists such as cellist Janos Starker and the Fine Arts Quartet (USA). After completing her Master’s degree in Performance from UBC, Monica won First Prize in the Concerto Competition and made her orchestral debut under Maestro Kazuyoshi Akiyama. She later accepted a Doctoral Fellowship and became a faculty member of the VSO School of Music. Monica is currently working as a collaborative pianist at the University of Victoria.
Brian Yoon enjoys a multifaceted career as soloist, chamber musician, adjudicator, teacher, and Principal Cello of the Victoria Symphony. Additionally, he was recently appointed as Co-Head of Strings at the Victoria Conservatory of Music. Since winning First Prize at the 35th Eckhardt-Gramatté Competition, Brian has performed from coast to coast, with repertoire ranging from Bach and Beethoven to George Crumb and Metallica. Brian has received generous support from the BC Arts Council, the Canada Council for the Arts, and the Sylva Gelber Music Foundation. He currently plays a 1905 cello by Gaetano Sgarabotto of Milan, purchased with the generous support of Dr. Fritz Boehm and the Gail O’Riordan Memorial Fund for Music and Performing Arts at the Victoria Foundation.
VENUE: St Michael & All Angels Anglican Church, Chemainus
Please note that this concert starts at 2:30
Audience favourites Noel McRobbie and Domagoj Ivanović return with vibrant, passionate music from the Iberian Peninsula. Their program will feature Spanish composers Manuel de Falla, Joaquín Turina, Enrique Granados, Isaac Albéniz and more. This duo always brings strong programming, outstanding musicianship, and great sensitivity to our series, and we welcome them back with much anticipation!
Programme
La Gitana— Fritz Kreisler (1875-1962)
Spanish Dance “Andaluza” No 5, Op. 37 for violin and piano in E minor (arr. Fritz Kreisler)— Enrique Granados (1867-1916)
Suite Populaire Espagnole — Manuel de Falla (1572-1656) i. El Paño Moruno (The Moorish Cloth) ii. Nana (Lullaby) iii. Canción (Song) iv. Polo (Andalusian Dance) v. Asturiana (Asturian Song) vi. Jota (North-Eastern Spanish Dance)
La oración del torero, Op. 34 (arr. Jascha Heifetz) — Joaquín Turina (1882-1949)
La vida breve: Danza española No. 1 (arr. Fritz Kreisler) — Manuel de Falla (1572-1656)
España, Op.165 — Isaac Albéniz (1860-1909)
1. Asturias (arr. Rodolfo Bonucci) 2. Tango (arr. Fritz Kreisler) 3. Malagueña (arr. Fritz Kreisler)
In the style of Albéniz — Rodion Shchedrin (1932-2025)
Allegro de concierto, op. 46— Enrique Granados (1867-1916)
Carmen Fantasie — Franz Waxman (1906-1967)
Background information
Born in Winnipeg, Canada, pianist Noel McRobbie first received national attention when he won top prize at the Eckhardt-Grammatté Piano Competition. He also received prizes at the CBC Début Concert Artist Series, Grand Konzerte International Piano Competition, Seiler International Piano Competition, and the University of Michigan Concerto Competition. Noel’s solo performances include the Steinway Series at the University of South Florida, Vancouver Chopin Society, and Sejong Chamber Hall in Seoul, South Korea. As concerto soloist, he has performed with various orchestras, including the Winnipeg Symphony Orchestra and the Bulgarian Chamber Orchestra. Noel has collaborated frequently with violinist Domagoj Ivanović in recitals presented by Vancouver Chamber Players, Silk Purse Arts Centre, and Victoria Christ Church Cathedral. His performances have been broadcast on CBC radio, and he was featured in International Piano magazine and KBS television’s Classic Odyssey. Noel studied at the Vancouver Academy of Music, University of British Columbia, New England Conservatory, University of South Florida, and University of Michigan, where he received a Doctor of Musical Arts. His teachers have included Lee Kum-Sing, Patricia Zander, Svetozar Ivanov, and Arthur Greene. Previously, Noel was Assistant Professor of Piano at Dongduk Women’s University in Seoul, South Korea, and faculty member at music festivals presented by the Franz Liszt Academy in Budapest and St. Andrews Arts Council in New Brunswick. Noel is currently on faculty at the Vancouver Academy of Music, and also teaches at Place des Arts and the Vancouver International Piano Festival.
Domagoj Ivanović moved to Canada in 2007, after graduating with a Doctor of Musical Arts degree in Violin Performance at the University of Miami, where he held the post of a Teaching Assistant, while also serving as Assistant Concertmaster for the Miami Symphony Orchestra. Since then, he has quickly established himself as a violinist and an educator in the greater Vancouver area. Aside from being the Co-Head of Violin Department at the Vancouver Academy of Music he is also the Director of Comox Youth Music Centre’s (CYMC) Classical program. As a performer he has shared the stage with some of the top ensembles in Vancouver, such as the Vancouver Symphony Orchestra, Vancouver Opera Orchestra, and Turning Point Ensemble. He also adjudicated a number of festivals and competitions, including the North Shore Music Festival, Vancouver Youth Symphony Orchestra Concerto Competition, Surrey Youth Symphony Concerto Competition, and University of British Columbia Concerto Competition, to name a few.
“Now, as we find ourselves in a time of confusion, chaos and bitter enmity throughout the world, it seems all the more important to listen to music together.” ~ Bruce Vogt. It can be consoling to remind ourselves of our civilization’s many great cultural achievements – in music and in all the arts. The music for this program was written in past ages of great turmoil – the mid-17th century English Civil War period, the mid-19th century revolutionary period in Paris, the period of great political oppression in early 19th century Vienna. For Bruce, it is profoundly consoling to live among these works, and to have this opportunity to share them with others.
Programme
Two Early English Keyboard Works
Goe From My Window — John Munday (c. 1560-1630)
A sad pavan for these distracted times (1649) — Thomas Tomkins (1572-1656)
Three French Keyboard Works
L’Enharmonique. (c. 1728) — Jean Philippe Rameau (1683-1764)
Les Cyclopes – Rondeau (c. 1731) — Jean Philippe Rameau (1683-1764)
Feuilles mortes (1911) — Claude Debussy (1862-1918)
Three Works by Chopin
Nocturne in G Major, opus 37 no. 2 (1839) — Frédéric Chopin (1810-1849)
Mazurka in c# minor, opus 50 no. 3 (1842) — Frédéric Chopin (1810-1849)
Nocturne in B Major, opus 62 no. 1 (1846) — Frédéric Chopin (1810-1849)
Sonata in Bb Major, Opus post. D960 (1828) — Franz Schubert (1797-1828)
i. Molto moderato
ii. Andante sostenuto
iii. Scherzo: Allegro vivace con delicatezza
iv. Allegro, ma non troppo
Background information
Canadian pianist Bruce Vogt was born in southern Ontario but for the past 45 years has lived and worked in Victoria, BC where he has taught at the University of Victoria as Professor of Piano. As a soloist, he has appeared regularly in concerts within Canada and he tours yearly in many countries throughout Europe and Asia. His repertoire encompasses music from the sixteenth century to the present. In addition to having a special affinity for the music of Franz Liszt, he has performed on period instruments, and commissioned and premièred a number of new works.
Because he sees teaching and working with young pianists and with piano teachers as an important commitment, he makes himself available as much as possible for master classes, workshops, festival adjudications, and lectures.
In recent years, he has received many invitations in Canada and abroad to indulge another of his passions: improvising accompaniments to great films of the silent era. He has played for and lectured about films by Chaplin, Keaton, Lloyd, Griffith, Murnau and others.
“TECHNICAL PERFECTION PAIRED WITH EMOTIONAL EXPRESSIVENESS … Compositions from Mozart, Chopin, Liszt resounded with seldom-heard perfection… What is apparent in his playing is the joy he takes in giving to others what he has so dazzlingly mastered…” – Usinger Anzeiger, ALTWEILNAU, GERMANY
“RARE GRANDEUR … I have never heard [Liszt’s] Norma Fantasy played with such consummate largesse … I was mesmerized by Vogt’s sheer control. In Liszt’s Dante Sonata the structure of the work was never exposed and the final triumph of the piece rang from the piano with spine chilling inevitability.” – The Times, LONDON, ENGLAND
“CONCERT OF THE YEAR … Splendidly subtle readings. Vogt made us listen to music that we might have missed, and some familiar items which we heard anew.” – Monday Magazine, VICTORIA, CANADA
“A VIRTUOSO … the audience was literally enraptured.” – Le Républicain, PARIS, FRANCE
” … THOUGHTFUL AND THOUGHT-PROVOKING … The sophisticated yet ungimmicky presentation left the dry didacticism of lecture-recitals in the dust.” – The Globe and Mail, TORONTO, CANADA
“MELANCHOLY MAGIC … Vogt’s concentrated pianistic command is to be respected along with his great empathy for poetic mood; he was able to draw from a great reserve of power without placing this power in the foreground.” – Frankfurter Allgemeine Zeitung, FRANKFURT, GERMANY
An award-winning guitarist, composer, and educator, Simon Farintosh brings us a program of original music by Castelnuovo-Tedesco and Yoshimatsu, arrangements of pieces by Debussy and Albéniz, and a set of original Farintosh compositions. Named one of CBC’s “30 Under 30 Classical Musicians” in 2023, Simon regularly receives top honours in national and international competitions as performer and composer, and is currently completing his Doctor of Musical Arts degree at the University of Toronto.
Programme
Prelude in D Major, op. 39, no. 2 — Alexander Scriabin (1872-1915), arr. Simon Farintosh
Pavane pour une infante défunte — Maurice Ravel (1875-1937), arr. Roland Dyens
La sérénade interrompue — Claude Debussy (1862-1918), arr. Simon Farintosh
Los Caprichos de Goya, op. 195 — Mario Castelnuovo-Tedesco (1895-1968) VII. Están calientes (They are hot) IX. Bien tirada está (It is nicely stretched) XI. Y se le quema la casa (And the house is on fire)
Tableaux para Guitarra — Liova Bueno (b. 1979)
I. Balada II. Siciliana III. Sarabanda IV. Burlesca V. Promenade
Sunlit Shallows — Simon Farintosh (b. 1995)
The turning of the leaves — Ralph Towner (b. 1940)
Sky Color Tensor — Takashi Yoshimatsu (b. 1953) I. Noon II. Twilight III. Night IV. Midnight V. Dawn
Background information
Simon Farintosh is an award-winning guitarist, composer, and educator based in Victoria, BC. Named one of CBC’s ‘30 Under 30 Classical Musicians’ in 2023, he is known for his unconventional programming choices, connecting with audiences by integrating the classical guitar with more contemporary musical forms such as electronica and jazz. Simon is currently a music performance instructor at the University of Victoria, where he teaches undergraduate and graduate guitar students. Simon studied with Dr. Alexander Dunn at the University of Victoria, where he earned his Bachelor of Music Degree in 2018. Simon’s musical pursuits later took him to Milwaukee, WI, where he completed a Master’s Degree at The University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee in 2020. Here, he was a student and teaching assistant to Rene Izquierdo, a renowned Cuban virtuoso and revered pedagogue. Currently, Simon is in the finishing stages of a Doctorate of Musical Arts at the University of Toronto, where he is a student of Jorge Caballero and Dr. Jeffrey McFadden. Simon’s performances have garnered him top awards in various national and international competitions, including 1st Prize at the 2018 Northwest Guitar Festival in Spokane, WA. As a composer, he was recently awarded First Prize in the 2022 Ottawa Guitar Society Composition Competition for his original piece ‘Distant Light.’ He is a six-time recipient of the British Columbia Arts Council Award, and has been a featured performer for organizations such as the Vancouver Classical Guitar Festival, Victoria Conservatory of Music Summer Guitar Intensive, The Classical Guitar Society of Tri-Cities, Madison Classical Guitar Society, Victoria Guitar Society, Ottawa Guitar Society, Guitar Society of Toronto, and Higher Ground Music Festival.
Due to serious illness, the Bose-Pastor Duo has had to cancel their concert on Sunday.
Our sincerest apologies to all ticket holders.
Please phone 250-748-8383 with any questions.
Bose-Pastor Duo: Antonio Pastor and Pia Bose
Sunday, June 8 at 2pm
Two pianists “who are in perfect harmony and complement one another ideally”, Pia Bose and Antonio Pastor have garnered warm critical acclaim for their “remarkable dexterity and subtlety” (Versoix Région). Pia and Antonio currently serve as piano faculty members at the École Internationale de Genève and the Conservatoire de Musique de Genève, respectively. Their program explores the human-nature connection through works by Debussy, Carl Vine, Liszt and Fazil Say.
Programme
In times of turmoil, we often retreat to Nature in search of simplicity, to rejuvenate the body and soul; yet our inner forces as human beings rarely allow this repose to be long-lasting. The four-hand piano program they have selected highlights this duality through its extra-musical associations — from the atmospheric, contemplative refuge from the outside world to the overt, traumatic expression of it — and is an exploration of context through four groundbreaking works: Maurice Ravel’s arrangement of Claude Debussy’s Prelude to an Afternoon of a Faun, Carl Vine’s Sonata for Piano Four Hands, Liszt’s arrangement of Les Preludes, and Fazil Say’s Night. Unlike the three other works, Vine’s Sonata has links to tradition in form and genre and is meant to have “no specific accompanying narrative or poetic allusion”; but its section titles (such as “Meditation”) make us question context-based interpretation, within the piece and in this program as a whole. The musical illustration of Nature — and the human struggle to simultaneously connect with it and beyond it — is central to the program. This is especially relevant in the world today, in which music can serve as a bridge to understanding our common sense of belonging.
Prelude to The Afternoon of a Faun (1894), Arranged for piano four hands by Maurice Ravel — Achille Claude Debussy (1862 -1918)
Sonata for Piano Four Hands (2009) — Carl Edward Vine (1954 – ) I.Prelude II.Waltz III.Deuces IV.Meditation V.Toccata
Les Préludes (1854), Transcription for piano four hands by F. Liszt — Franz Liszt (1811 – 1886)
Night, Op. 68 (2016) — Fazil Say (1970 – )
Background information
Since forming the Bose-Pastor Duo in 2012, pianists Pia Bose and Antonio Pastor have garnered widespread acclaim for their “sensitive, alluring, and exhilarating performances.” Praised for their “remarkable dexterity and subtlety” and their intimate connection on stage, the pianists have distinct personalities yet share their instrument and musical sensibilities “in perfect harmony, ideally complementing one another” (Versoix Région).
The husband-and-wife duo has received numerous honors and awards, including Second Prize in the 18th International Piano Duo Competition in Tokyo, Japan, interviews for Magma-Espace 2 (Radio Télévision Suisse) and Luxembourg’s Radio 100.7, and a featured article in Scènes Magazine. The pianists have appeared in major cities such as London, Paris, New York, San Francisco, Chicago, Lisbon, Edinburgh, Luxembourg, Milan, Geneva, and throughout Switzerland. Notable venues where they have performed together or as soloists include the Weill Recital Hall at Carnegie Hall, the St. Martin-in-the-Fields Embassy Series, St. James’s Piccadilly, the Palais de l’Athénée, and Preston Bradley Hall, during WMFT radio’s live broadcast of the Dame Myra Hess Memorial Concerts. In September of 2023, the Bose-Pastor Duo was invited to perform the inaugural concert of the Roser Piano and Keyboard Alumni Concert Series at the University of Colorado at Boulder, with “Dancing out of the Past,” a program they also performed for enthusiastic audiences at the San Francisco Noontime Concerts, and PianoFest Moudon and Schubertiade Sion in Switzerland. Audiences repeatedly lauded the duo’s charming rapport and its breathtaking, deeply moving performances.
Hailing from different cultural backgrounds (Indian-American and Andalusian) and having followed divergent paths, the pianists met in Switzerland, their shared country of citizenship. They each completed early studies in their native countries of the United States and Spain and later obtained the Diplôme de Soliste from the former Conservatoire Supérieur et Académie de Musique Tibor Varga, where they worked intensively with the late pianist Dominique Weber.
Pia Bose holds degrees from the Oberlin Conservatory, the Peabody Institute of the Johns Hopkins University, and the University of Colorado at Boulder, where she earned the Doctor of Musical Arts degree, and her former teachers include Andrew Cooperstock, Marian Hahn, Joseph Schwartz, and J.Y. Song. She completed further study at the Universität Mozarteum Sommerakademie in Austria with Boris Bloch and also holds a Bachelor of Arts degree in biopsychology from Oberlin College. Antonio Pastor holds the Diplôme d’Enseignement from the Haute École de Musique de Genève and the Profesor Superior de Piano degree from the Real Conservatorio de Música de Madrid, and his former teachers include Andrew Cooperstock, Sébastien Risler, and Fernando Puchol. Pia Bose and Antonio Pastor attended festivals such as the Banff Centre for the Arts in Canada, the Gijón International Piano Festival in Spain, and Rencontres Internationales Harmoniques Lausanne in Switzerland, and they were privileged to receive musical guidance from renowned artists such as Paul Badura-Skoda, Julian Martin, Robert McDonald, Boris Slutsky, Ana Guijarro, Alexei Nasedkin, John O’Connor, Bruno Canino, Blanca Uribe, Yoheved Kaplinsky, Marc Durand, Ann Schein, and Leon Fleisher.
Passionate educators, Pia Bose and Antonio Pastor serve as piano faculty members at the École Internationale de Genève and the Conservatoire de Musique de Genève, respectively.
Harpist/composer Josh Layne started studying the harp at age 13, and soon excelled at the instrument. Praised for his virtuosity and the sensitivity of his playing, he has recorded several CD’s, and has performed across North and South America, Europe, Australia and New Zealand. Layne’s concert of solo harp music will include some of his original compositions, and will culminate in a stunning arrangement of Smetana’s “The Moldau”, telling the story of the river’s journey through the Czech Republic.
Légende — inspired by Les Elfes byLeconte de Lisle— Henriette Renié (1875-1956)
Winter — Antonio Lucio Vivaldi (1678-1741), arr. Josh Layne
Allegro non molto Largo Allegro
The Lark — Mikhail Glinka/Mily Balakirev (1804-1857/1837-1910), arr. Josh Layne
The Moldau — Bedřich Smetana (1824-1888), arr. Hans Trneček
Background information
Harpist and composer Josh Layne is well-known as a consummate musician and has even been called a “harp genius”. He has performed extensively across Canada, USA, Europe, South America, Australia and New Zealand, and has been praised for both his virtuosity and the sensitivity of his playing.
Josh has recorded 4 albums of solo harp music, including his 2013 CD which features three of his original compositions for harp. Recent projects include a revival of Bochsa’s long dormant “Concerto No. 1 in D minor” with a performance at the World Harp Congress in Wales in July 2022.
Josh’s biweekly YouTube series “It’s Tuesday… It’s Harp Tuesday!” was born out of a passion for teaching, and launched in 2010. The series covers all aspects of playing the harp, from the first lesson to in-depth looks at advanced music. With 250+ episodes and over 2 million views, Harp Tuesday is an amazing resource for harpists all over the world.
Josh’s most recent YouTube project is “Harpist in the Wild”, a new video series combining his love of music and the outdoors.
Ann Mendenhall, piano; Catharina de Beer, piano; Emily Armour, piano; Rykie Avenant, piano
Sunday, April 14 at 2pm
This concert is at Duncan United Church
Back by popular demand, Ann, Catharina, Emily and Rykie have prepared another program of works for four, six and eight hands at one piano. Included are compositions by Liszt, Mozart, Schubert, Czerny, Bizet, and a few fun pieces that will bring a smile to your face. A concert not to be missed, by four performers who find profound joy in this close collaboration.
Programme
Bolero-Fanfare (8 hands) – Gabriel van Calt
Air, from Suite no 3, BWV 1068, arranged by Amadeus Gati (6 hands) – Johann Sebastian Bach
Allegro in A minor for Piano, Four Hands, D. 947, Op. 144, “Lebensstürme” – Franz Peter Schubert
Two Minuets in G Major, arranged by Franzpeter Goebels (6 hands) – Franz Joseph Haydn
Les préludes (Symphonic Poem after Lamartine), S591 (4 hands) – Franz Liszt
Anyone for Tennis? & Bénodet Breeze (6 hands) – Mike Cornick
Children’s Games (4 hands) – Georges Bizet The Top; The Doll; The Merry-Go-Round; Trumpet and Drum; Puss in the Corner;Blindman’s Buff; Leapfrog; Little Husband, Little Wife; The Ball
Sonata in D major for Piano Four Hands, K381 – Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart 1. Allegro 2. Andante 3. Allegro molto
Fantaisie sur des thèmes d’opéras de Mozart, opus 741 no 1 (6 hands) – Carl Czerny
Libertango, arranged by Khatia and Gvantsa Buniatishvili (4 hands) – Astor Piazzolla
Biographies
Ann Baker Mendenhall grew up in Costa Rica, received her Bachelor’s degree in Piano Performance from Oberlin Conservatory, and pursued her Master’s degree at the University of Victoria, studying with the late Dr. Robin Wood. Ann has been passionately involved in both teaching piano and performing for most of her life. In addition to solo performances, she enjoys collaborating with other musicians, playing chamber music and works for piano ensemble. Widely sought after as a teacher and mentor, she is dedicated to imparting to her students the joy of accomplishment and love of music. An ardent promoter of music in the wider community, Ann has served many years as President of the Cowichan Valley Music Teachers’ Association (CVMTA). She also was Chemainus Classical Concerts’ Artistic Director for a dozen years before handing the baton to Rykie and Catharina.
Catharina de Beer lives and works in Cobble Hill, BC. She completed her Teacher’s Licentiate Diploma in Piano at the University of South Africa. She also holds a degree in Teaching with specialization in inclusive education from the University of South Africa. Before immigrating to Canada, Catharina worked in the private school system, teaching piano as well as group music lessons. She was active as a collaborative pianist, organist and music director of various churches and choirs. Soon after settling in the Cowichan Valley in 2010, she established a music studio where she teaches piano and music theory. She is frequently called on for collaborative work, and performs piano music for four hands as a member of Double Digits Duo.
Emily Armour has a Masters’ in Piano Performance from UVic and now teaches online to a studio of 30+ students. Recently, she was selected by a jury consisting of Canada Council, National Gallery, War Museum, and DND, as 1st alternate for the prestigious Canadian Armed Forces Artist Program Group 11. A veteran spouse, and composer specializing in commemorative music, Emily was inspired to create a federal non profit: Music for Veterans Project (MVP). MVP honours past and present members of the Armed Forces through original music, in order to help them feel seen & valued. Not only is this empathic work highly beneficial to veterans, it also greatly enhances the lives of young composers by allowing them to contribute towards something bigger than themselves that has profound historical significance. If you’re reading this, please consider making a donation to MVP. Your support can ensure that those who defend the freedoms we enjoy are recognized by future generations through the most universal language.
Rykie Avenant is a graduate of the University of Stellenbosch, South Africa. After obtaining a Licentiate in Piano Performance and a Bachelor of Music Education, she worked as repetiteur for the Cape Town and Pretoria opera companies before relocating to Canada in 1991. Rykie came to Vancouver Island 21 years ago via Powell River, where she appeared regularly in concert for the Academy of Music, as well as at the International Kathaumixw Choral Festival. In the Cowichan Valley she is in demand as teacher, coach and performer, and currently focuses primarily on collaborative work with various voice studios and instrumental ensembles. She performs piano music for four hands as a member of Double Digits Duo.
Walter Martella, accordion, piano; Karina Inkster, accordion, piano
Sunday, March 17 at 2pm
With their fresh and unique approach to accordion music, Walter (instrumentalist, conductor, and music director of the Powell River Academy of Music) and Karina (musician, writer, and nutrition and fitness coach) will charm you with a program of multi-genre music including works from movie scores, pieces by Piazzolla, and even Chopin and Bach arranged for their instruments!
Programme
Set 1:
Tango Pour Claude – Richard Galliano
Blue – Richard Galliano
Prelude in C / Ave Maria – J.S. Bach/Charles Gounod
Oblivion – Astor Piazzolla
Si Dolce è Il Tormento – Claudio Monteverdi
Il Postino – Luis Bacalov
Sur le fil – Yann Tiersen
Set 2:
Fracanapa – Astor Piazzolla
Chiquilin de Bachin – Astor Piazzolla
Apnea – Richard Galliano
Nocturne – Ernest Marsden
Serenade sur l’eau – Jacques Ibert
Monster waltz – Yann Tiersen
Tanti Anni Prima – Astor Piazzolla
Libertango – Astor Piazzolla
Biographies
Conductor and Music Director of the Powell River Academy of Music, Walter Martella is an accomplished pianist, accordionist, and trumpeter. He earned a Diploma in Jazz Trumpet from Malaspina College (VIU), a Bachelor of Music Degree from UVic, and attended the Banff School of Fine Arts. Conducting became a significant part of Walter’s life and career when he returned to Powell River to study at PRAM under Don James. He has participated in the British Columbia Choral Federation’s conducting program and has collaborated with world-renowned conductors. He has led noteworthy works like Holst’s Rig Veda for choir and harp, the Messiah, Schubert’s Mass in G, and Vivaldi’s Gloria. He conducts the Academy Chamber Choir, Chor Musica Men’s Choir and the Powell River Chorus, as well as maintaining a full private teaching schedule. Walter is a strong believer in the power of music as an important part of community, and has been an adjudicator for instrumental and choral festivals throughout British Columbia. He has recorded five jazz CDs, performed provincially with many well-known musicians in multiple genres, and continues to be in demand all along the West Coast as a trumpet soloist and jazz pianist.
Karina Inkster is a fitness and nutrition coach, author of 5 books, magazine writer, and host of the No-B.S. Vegan podcast (syndicated on Powell River radio). Founder of K.I. Health & Fitness, she and her online coaching team work with vegan clients all over the world. Karina holds a Master’s degree in Gerontology, specializing in health and aging. What does all this have to do with music? Well, nothing. When she’s not working (or doing a ridiculous number of chin-ups), Karina attempts to make time for her musical pursuits. She started taking piano lessons at the age of 5, has been playing Australian didgeridoo for over 2 decades, and picked up the accordion in 2013. She’s been studying accordion with Walter Martella since 2018 after moving from Vancouver to Powell River.
