Dykstra Watt piano duo reunites

Anyone who has listened to the Ina Dykstra/Nancy Watt piano duo quickly realizes there is more than musical passion that flows between the four hands.

Whether sitting side-by-side or across from each other on separate instruments, the two musicians intermingle and create a one-of-a-kind intimacy.

Four-handed playing is not for everyone. It is technically difficult and bridges the gap between mere amateurs and serious musicians, a category the duo fits seamlessly.

Unfortunately, since Dykstra moved to Victoria over a year ago, the duo’s public engagements are limited. In fact, they last performed publicly in St. Albert as part of the St. Albert Chamber Music Recital Series in 2012.

Despite the logistics of living in different provinces, the popular duo returns as part of the series on March 19 and 20 at Don’s Piano Place.

The program spans more than 200 years from a variety of master composers. The selections include Muzio Clementi’s Two Sonatas for 2 Pianos 4 Hands, Franz Schubert’s Fantasia in F Minor, Johannes Brahms’ Variations on a Theme by Haydn, Francis Poulenc’s L’Embarquement pour Cythere and Aram Khachaturian’s Waltz from Masquerade.

Dykstra, who was raised in St. Albert and received a graduate degree at the University of Alberta, grew up with two other piano-playing siblings – playwright-actor-director Ted Dykstra and music specialist-recording artist Paul Dykstra.

Watt, who holds a Bachelor of Education degree from the University of Alberta and an Associate in Piano Teaching from the Royal Conservatory of Music, moved to St. Albert in 1997.

For the past 19 years, she has taught a variety of students from the very gifted to the challenged. In her own quiet way, Watt is a mover and a shaker. In 2010 she was instrumental in founding the St. Albert Chamber Music Series. And three years ago, she co-founded Keys for the City, a piano project that places decorated pianos on city streets for public enjoyment.

The two music teachers originally met through the St. Albert Piano Teachers’ Association. They both enjoyed performing duets and the rapport was instantaneous.

“Nancy loves music and has strong relations with people. She’s loyal and caring. We’re quite similar in many ways and the way we feel about music. And we are affected by music in the same way when we play,” said Dykstra.

Watt added, “We go much deeper than professional partners. That’s part of our success. We’ve supported each other through all the emotional ups and downs of life.”

The two friends paired up for concerts, lunches and leisurely walks. They even enjoyed fun nights with their version of “Schubertiads.”

“Schubert loved to share his repertoire with friends. He would take his friends poetry, put it to music and bring in singers for everyone to enjoy it,” said Watt.

In the modern Schubertiads, the two colleagues invited friends to share music, a story or a poem.

“Everyone participated. Not knowing what came was exciting and joyful.”

For the upcoming concert, Clementi’s Two Sonatas was selected for its classical style “full of happy scale runs and trills.”

Instead Schubert’s Fantasia is a four-movement composition written towards the end of his life.

“There are joyful parts, but also deep sadness. The writing is exquisite and people say it is one of his most significant works.”

Brahms’ Variations are eight variations based on a Haydn theme whereas Poulenc’s L’Embarquement is a spritely piece on the joy of vacations.

Khachaturian’s closing Waltz is a popular piece that premiered days before the Germans invaded Russia in 1941.

Emerging pianists Andrew Part and Simon Wong, two heavyweights at Rotary Music Festivals, open the evening with George Bizet’s Toreador from Carmen and Rossini’s Overture from The Barber of Seville.

Dykstra also invites all former students for a gathering at Don’s Piano Place on Monday, March 21 at 7 p.m.

And on Wednesday, March 23, she hosts a half-day workshop on Canadian composers. It starts at 9:30 a.m. at Don’s.