A fifth anniversary was the farthest thing from Nancy Watt’s mind when she launched the St. Albert Chamber Music Recital Series in 2010 at Don’s Piano Place.
“It was my new project and we (Watt and Don Vaugeois) wanted to test the waters. We went out on a limb. We weren’t sure how the community would respond and it’s morphed into something else completely,” said Watt.
The St. Albert Chamber Music Society has filed an application for charitable status and has completed preliminary work to offer chamber music camps for young musicians next summer.
However, at its core it still offers elite musicians a venue to extol their virtues. And the upcoming landmark season could easily be renamed the St. Albert Virtuosi Chamber Music Recital Series.
Sprinkled throughout the five-concert series is a number of stellar musicians including Grammy nominee Marina Hoover, Juno nominee Antonio Peruch and internationally acclaimed Edmonton Symphony Orchestra violinist Alissa Cheung.
And in a special prequel to the season, the chamber music society presents the Dover String Quartet, first prize award winners of the 2013 Banff International String Quartet Competition held at the Banff Centre.
Traditionally, Banff competition winners hold a provincial recital either in the mountain town or in Calgary. They rarely travel north.
Watt approached the Banff Centre about hosting a recital for the north-central region. She invited the Arden Theatre to co-present and professional programming presenter Caitlin North jumped at the chance.
In addition to performing a recital on Friday, Oct. 3, Dover Quartet will lead a master class for musicians.
The five-part series will run exclusively on Saturdays starting on Oct. 25 with an impromptu trio of Edmonton’s top-tier musicians. Pianist Magdalena Adamek invited clarinetist Don Ross and ESO cellist Colin Ray for an evening of Brahms.
“I’d always wanted to feature woodwinds. It was always on the back of my mind. When Magda approached me to do a concert with Don and Colin, it fit in perfectly,” noted Watt.
If grapevine gossip is an indication of musical prowess, the Trio Voce on the Nov. 22 recital will make music come alive in a completely new way.
Its three members, Jasmine Lin, Patricia Tao and Marina Hoover, are North American heavyweights who have performed at such distinguished halls as Carnegie, Lincoln Centre and the Kennedy Centre.
“They are an exceptionally talented group of musicians and I am excited to have them.”
Celebrating the new year on Jan. 31 is the returning husband-wife piano duo of Mikolaj Warzsynski and Zuzana Simordova.
Warzsynski grew up in Edmonton and studied under Marek Jablonski. After he married Simordova, the two pianists travelled to Korea where they both teach advanced levels of the instrument.
“They’re doing a Canadian tour. They will be doing duet repertoire and performing with four hands, two pianos.”
Vaughn String Quartet returns for the spring concert on March 7 accompanied by acclaimed accordionist Antonio Peruch.
“He’s a classical accordionist. Most people think of it as folk instrument. But more and more composers are writing classical pieces and you hear more of it in concert halls,” Watt said.
Closing the season on April 18 is the consummate Virya Duo composed of violinist Alissa Cheung and pianist Ruby Jin embracing a broad spectrum from Beethoven to Brahms.
“To date, this year features the most exceptional talent and the most international lineup. Many performers have been all over the world and we are so fortunate to share their music.”
Tickets
Adult season tickets are $120 and $100 for seniors and students. Single tickets are $30 for adults and $25 for students and seniors. Call 780-459-5525 or in person at Don’s Piano Place, 8 Riel Dr.
