Music to remember an old friend

Concert pianist Jason Cutmore was just 14 years old when he first met cellist Tanya Prochazka. His piano instructor, St. Albert’s Michael Massey, had recommended Cutmore attend Alberta College’s chamber music coaching program taught by the internationally renowned cellist.

“Back then I didn’t have a very in-depth impression of her. I know she was a lot of fun and high energy. In retrospect, she was very vivacious, very passionate of her art and she passed that on to her students,” said Cutmore.

The New York-based pianist returns to his home turf for a performance with the St. Albert Chamber Music Society’s second recital of the season on Saturday, Nov. 19 at Red Willow Place, formerly the St. Albert 50 Plus Club.

Joining him are cellist Kathleen de Caen and violinist Vladimir Rufino in a memorial tribute to Prochazka who passed away in May 2015 after living with ovarian cancer for nine years.

“She had a larger-than-life personality, not in a gregarious, overpowering way, but with a love for life that was infectious.”

After completing her studies in Paris, the Australian-raised Prochazka joined a group of young musicians touring all corners of Europe and the Middle East. She met her husband in London, married and raised three children while continuing to refine the integrity of her performances.

The family moved to Edmonton in 1986 where the versatile cellist appeared frequently on CBC Radio and as an occasional player for Edmonton Symphony Orchestra.

Up to now Cutmore has performed mainly as a soloist. However, he is exploring new possibilities with French cellist Antoine Pierlot to form a chamber duo that would expand his repertoire.

“I’d like to do more chamber music. Playing chamber music you have access to some of the most beautiful music in the world and it’s a way to learn from your peers. It’s a different experience.

The 80-minute program, chosen from compositions Cutmore has mastered, include Gabrielle FaurĂ©’s passionate ElĂ©gie, Op. 24 for piano and cello followed by Camille Saint-Saens’ expressive Cello Sonata in C Minor.

Cutmore describes ElĂ©gie as “the perfect opener. It’s a gregarious piece of music even though it has somber moments” whereas the Cello Sonata is full of “youthful energy and passion. It’s a pretty wild ride for a pianist. It’s very fast.”

The second half features the Piano Trio in B Major, one of Johannes Brahms’ most romantic creations.

“It’s a nice foil for the first half but it’s as beautiful as the FaurĂ©.”

Thirteen-year-old violinist Rayna McFeetors, a frequent competitor at the St. Albert Rotary Music Festival, will open the evening with Milan Kymlicka’s Concertino Grosso and Charles Dancla’s Air variĂ© on a Theme by Rossini.