Cowichan Classical Concerts

Tag: Schubert

  • Songs of Consolation for our Distracted Time

    Bruce Vogt, piano

    Sunday, November 2 at 2:30 pm

    Please note that this concert starts at 2:30

    “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

  • Show of Hands

    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.

    www.musicforveteransproject.com

    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.

  • The KeyWinds Trio: January 15th

    If Music be the Food of Love – Sunday, Janury 15th at 2pm

    The KeyWinds Trio are: Margaret St. Cyr (horn), Yvonne Gillespie (piano), and Annick Richardson (clarinet). They are joined by guest artist, Kelly Coubrough.

    Kelly Coubrough, soprano

    Programme

    Auf dem Strom, D. 943 (1828) – Franz Peter Schubert (1797—1828)

    Les nuits d’été, Opus 7 (1841) – Louis-Hector Berlioz (1803—1869)

    1.  Villanelle

    2.  Le spectre de la rose            

    3.  Sur les lagunes                

    4.  Absence

    5.  Au cimetière

    6.  L’île inconnue

    Nocturno, Opus 75 (1886) – Friedrich Wilhelm Voigt  (1849—1922)

    Der Hirt auf dem Felsen, D. 965 (1828) – Franz Peter Schubert (1797—1828)

    L’amor funesto (1842) – Domenico Gaetano Maria Donizetti (1797 – 1848)

    Cigánské Melodie, Opus 55 (1880) – Antonín Leopold Dvořák (1841—1904)

    1.  Mein Lied ertönt

    2.  Ei, wie mein Triangel wunderherrlich läutet

    3.  Rings ist der Wald so stumm und still

    4.  Als die alte Mutter

    5.  Reingestimmt die Saiten!

    7.  Darf des Falken Schwinge Tatrahoh’n umrauschen

    Three Theatrical Songs – Milton Byron Babbitt (1916 – 2011)

    Biographies

    Yvonne Gillespie (piano)

    Yvonne began her musical studies in Piano Performance at the University of Alberta in Edmonton studying with Dr. Ernesto Lejano.  Later she embarked on music composition and completed a degree in composition at the University of Victoria, studying with Christopher Butterfield.  She continued her compositional studies at the University of British Columbia completing a Master in Music after working with both Stephen Chatman and Keith Hamel.  After pursuing Doctoral studies in music theory for three years at UBC, Yvonne decided to discontinue her theoretical studies and to focus solely on composition and piano performance.  Yvonne has performed across Canada with many ensembles, orchestras, and soloists and is currently enjoying creating amazing music with the KeyWinds Quintet and Trio.

    Margaret St. Cyr (French horn)

    Margarethas a Bachelor and a Master of Music degree in horn performance. She also has a Bachelor of Education degree. She has been a soloist with the Saint Cecilia Orchestra and Calgary Philharmonic and a featured soloist on CBC, CFRN and ITV.  Margaret has received Alberta Culture awards, a Canada Council Grant for advanced music study in Germany, a Johann Strauss Scholarship for advanced music study in Austria, a Du Maurier Search for Stars Award of Merit, and won the 1981 Canadian Composers’ Commission Competition (Dr. Malcolm Forsyth composed a piece for horn and piano for her).  In 1980, Margaret spent a year on a scholarship studying horn at the Banff Centre.  She has played horn with the Victoria Symphony, Rome Festival Orchestra, Atlantic Symphony, Canadian Chamber Orchestra, Calgary and Edmonton Symphonies and the Cowichan Consort Orchestra.  Margaret has always enjoyed playing chamber music and is very excited to be a member of the KeyWinds Quintet and Trio.

    Annick Richardson (clarinet)

    Annick started studying music at the age of ten under the guidance of Victor Capron, a family friend who started her musical education on recorder and solfège.  She began learning clarinet at the age of 14.  After high school, she began her musical studies at the University of Victoria and graduated from the Faculty of Music in 1982.  Annick has lived in the Cowichan Valley since 1997 and has enjoyed participating in musical endeavours with choirs and many other wonderful musicians in and around the Valley.  In addition to performing with the KeyWinds Quintet and Trio, she also plays first clarinet with the Cowichan Consort Orchestra performing on B flat, A, and bass clarinets.  Although classical music is her main interest, she feels privileged to be able to play a bit of jazz and swing with an incredible group of musicians in a swing band called “Annick and the Lakeside Loungers”.

    Kelly Coubrough (soprano)

    Kelly has experience in many genres of music including opera, new music, and musical theatre. She is an active performer and also enjoys sharing her knowledge as a teacher, choral conductor, and music director. Kelly holds an Honours Bachelor of Music in voice performance from Wilfried Laurier University. She sang with the Vancouver Opera Company Chorus from 2005-2012 and has performed as a soloist with the Okanagan Symphony Orchestra (Kelowna), Opera NUOVA (Edmonton), Queen of Puddings Music Theatre (Toronto) and Tapestry New Opera Works (Toronto). She is an avid recitalist and has been a feature soloist with numerous choirs including Vancouver Bach Choir, the Twin Rivers Choir (Castlegar), and the Whistler Singers. In August 2023 she will make her debut with Opera Kelowna as Fiordiligi in Mozart’s Cosi Fan Tutte.

  • May Ling Kwok: November 6th

    Grace Notes – Sunday, November 6th at 2pm

    May Ling Kwok teaches at the Victoria Conservatory of Music and the University of Victoria, and she is active as a teacher, adjudicator, and concert pianist. She has undertaken concert tours to many parts of the world and she is an audience favourite at Chemainus Classical Concerts.

    Programme

    Sonata in C major, K. 330 — W.A. Mozart (1756-1791)

    1. Allegro moderato

    2. Andante Cantabile

    3. Allegretto

    Sonata in F major, Op. 10 No. 2 — L. Van Beethoven (1770-1827)

    1. Allegro

    2. Allegretto

    3. Presto

    Barcarole Op.60 — F. Chopin (1810-1849)

    Sonata in A major, D. 664 — F. Schubert (1797-1828)

    1. Allegro moderato

    2. Andante

    3. Allegro

    Nocturne Op. 16, No. 41 — A. Paderewski (1860-1941)

    Ballade in G minor, Op. 23 — F. Chopin (1810-1849)

    Biography

    May Ling Kwok

    Graduating with distinction from the University of Victoria, May Ling Kwok first studied with Robin Wood at the Victoria Conservatory of Music and later continued her doctorate studies with the famed Hungarian pianist, György Sebők at Indiana University, USA, where she was awarded the distinguished Performer’s Certificate.

    She is very active as a performer, piano teacher and adjudicator. Concert tours have taken her to the United States, China, Hong Kong, Malaysia, Mexico, Russia and Europe. She has appeared as soloist with the Victoria Symphony, the Montreal Symphony, National Symphony Orchestra of Mexico, Moscow Philharmonic, Vladivostok Symphony Orchestra, the Slovakia Radio Orchestra and the Czech National Symphony.

    Also an accomplished chamber musician, she is a founding member of the McPherson Trio.

    May Ling Kwok’s discography to date are as follows:

    • Mozart Piano Concerti K. 466 and K. 595, Czech National Symphony Orchestra
    • Beethoven Piano Concerto No. 1, Moscow Philharmonic Orchestra
    • Schumann Piano Concerto, Slovakia Radio Symphony Orchestra
    • Mozart Piano Concerti K. 467 and K. 491, Czech National Symphony Orchestra
    • Beethoven Sonatas for Piano and Violin: “Kreutzer” and “Spring”
    • Shostakovich and Arensky Piano Trio
    • Prokofiev Sonata for Violin and Piano