The St. Albert Chamber Music Recital Series returns for its seventh season with a magnificent lineup that skilfully blends oboe and piano with a diversity of string instruments.
Recital series co-founder Nancy Watt is moving away from strictly supporting regional chamber musicians and this year introduces two concerts highlighted by world class New York prodigies.
“We’re trying to bring new people in that haven’t been here before and we keep trying to connect and support musicians in the area. This season we have a nice variety, not just strings, but oboe, cello and harp,” Watt said.
On Nov. 19 Watt presents former Edmonton pianist Jason Cutmore with Kathleen de Caen on cello and Vladimir Rufino on violin. Cutmore studied with St. Albert’s Michael Massey before taking his virtuosic talents to New York.
Although still based in the Big Apple, Cutmore returns regularly to Edmonton passing on his experience from one generation to the next as founder of the Edmonton Piano Festival.
“Jason’s interest in this concert is to make it a memorial for Tanya Prochazka,” said Watt. Prochazka was an internationally renowned, Edmonton-based cellist who passed away in 2015 after living with ovarian cancer for nine years.
Also from south of the 49th is New York’s international prize-winning Calidore String Quartet known for its fiery brilliance and breadth of musicianship.
“This just landed on my lap. Estelle Choi (cellist) from Calgary wrote to me about how supportive music festivals in Alberta were in influencing her and how they helped her. She attended chamber music concerts and wanted to give back by performing in small communities. And she wanted to show the other musicians in Calidore the strong music community in Alberta,” Watt explained. The established chamber ensemble is slated to perform on March 11, 2017.
The five-concert series occupies a unique niche in St. Albert. It’s the only organization presenting top-drawer chamber performances.
Perhaps the biggest difference this year is a shift from Don’s Piano Warehouse to Red Willow Place, formerly the St. Albert 50 Plus Club, located at 7 Tache St.
“I was just there and had a sneak peak last week. The renovation is almost completely done. There’s a large-multi-purpose room with an eight-inch high stage that will give audience members a better view. And we’ll be able to seat a few more people. But part of the charm of what we do is the intimacy, and we don’t want to lose that.”
She adds that the centrally located venue has a large parking area, wheelchair accessibility, and a large sitting area to continue the strawberry, truffle and champagne reception.
“I’m excited about all the possibilities of bringing in new people that do not know of us.”
Launching the season on Oct. 15 is Tersona, a trio composed of pianist Sylvia Shaddick-Taylor, cellist Colin Ryan and violinist Anna Kozak.
“All are symphony players and that indicates their calibre and capacity to play together. They have a very versatile repertoire from the classics to more contemporary music.”
On Feb. 14, 2017 ESO oboist Lidia Khaner joins forces with retired University of Alberta pianist Janet Scott Hoyt.
“The two have worked together for a number of years and have a couple of CDs together. What sets them apart is not only the quality of their playing, but they are both warm people and that comes out in their performance.”
The final concert on April 22 hosts a special one-off trio – violinist Lizzy Hoyt with harpists Nora Bumanis and Keri Lynn Zwicker.
“I wanted to have another harp concert. Nora is eager to play again and this time there’s a new twist with Keri Lynn Zwicker. She plays both Celtic and classical harp. And it was Nora’s idea to invite Lizzy. She is a well-known violinist both Celtic and classical.”
Single tickets are $35 adults, $30 for students/seniors. Season packages are $140 for adults, $120 students/seniors.
Tickets are available at Don’s Piano Place, 8 Riel Dr. or at 780-459-5525.
