Youth and music fêted at Pianofest

There are days when young pianists studying classical music or art music as some refer to it, feel as if they're part of an underground movement toiling in obscurity.

But thanks in large part to the Alberta Pianofest Society, classical music is gaining traction in the region's youth culture. This is the biannual festival's third edition.

The festival's aims are threefold: inspire a new generation on the joys of the great master composers, explore classical works in more depth, and provide participants with worldwide networking opportunities.

At the festival's core, a dozen young virtuosos ages 12 to 18 years meet at a Pigeon Lake campground for a two-week musical retreat.

For these adolescent marvels it's a rare opportunity to unplug and work with some of the music industry's prestigious concert pianists.

This year's dynamic faculty lineup includes Pianofest founder Jason Cutmore, New York's Adam Kent, Britain's Murray McLachlan, Quebec's Stéphan Sylvestre, and St. Albert's Michael Massey.

Cutmore, a former Edmontonian now a resident of New York City, is paving the way for this youth-targeted musical renaissance. Commitment, passion and hard work is demanded from his young protégés. However, he's also very conscious the young artists learn to be more than custodians of musical tradition.

"We take them out of city life – no cellphone, no Internet, no video games. They have time to talk to their peers and enjoy nature. There are hiking trails, a lakefront and summer sports. It's almost a detox – for them and for me. It's meant as an artists' retreat," said Cutmore.

One of his favourite memories of the 2015 edition was returning late one night to the lakefront retreat and finding students gathered in the lounge.

"Far from showing off virtuosic pieces, they had crowded around the piano and created their own salon concert. It was purely spontaneous. They were playing music for each other. One had pulled out his trombone. Another was singing.

Music can be very competitive and result driven. To see them enjoying the arts the way they were meant to be was really gratifying."

The gilding on the festival is a series of professional recitals and talks. The four-part concert series held at Holy Trinity Anglican Church opens with pianists Adam Kent and Cutmore playing Spanish Music Extravaganza on Sunday, July 9 from 5 to 8 p.m.

They feature the music of Enrique Granados (1867 to 1916), also known as the Spanish Chopin.

Granados, a popular ladies' man, created music that was evocative, poetic and intensely romantic. Kent and Cutmore will play solo repertoire as well as the four hands En la Aldea: Marcha Militar No. 1.

"He was the ultra-romantic in outlook and character. He certainly had enough infidelities to earn the title," said Cutmore.

British pianist Murray McLachlan pays a tribute to Chopin on Friday, July 14 with the great composer's 24 Preludes and Ballade No. 4 in F minor.

As a loyal lover of British music, he is also introduces Ronald Stevenson's salute to the great one in two works: Pensés sur des Préludes de Chopin and Fugue on a Fragment of Chopin.

Stéphan Sylvestre, an instructor at Western University, in London, Ont., sits at the grand piano on Saturday, July 15 to perform his version of Reason and Passion, a program capturing the varying essences of Robert Schumann, S. Bertrand and Maurice Ravel.

The recital will be a series of contrasts between Ravel's emotional reserve and rational aestheticism and Schumann's impetuosity and passion.

"Stéphan is an excellent performer with an incredible track record and I could tell from our conversations he would be an excellent teacher. To have one of Canada's leading instructors and pianists accessible to our students is an honour."

The celebrated Michael Massey, recipient of the Lieutenant-Governor General's Award, delivers the final masterpiece recital on Saturday, July 22.

In it Claude Debussy's Oriental mysticism is juxtaposed with Nicolai Medtner's reflective Romanticism and Johannes Brahms' warmth and passion.

Catching Massey at his Woodlands home, he described the composers as "three different species."

"I love Debussy's Book 2 Images, and Brahms Capriccio was the first piece I played on national television back in 1964 on CTV. And Medtner, you know Medtner. He is special to me. He's been with me the last decade. When I lived in England, he only lived a few blocks away. When I started to play I didn't know, but I was delighted to find out," said Massey, who plays the British composer's Sonata Reminscenza Op. 39. No. 1.

As a way to explore music in more depth, Cutmore introduces a series of dynamic lecture-recitals. On Saturday, July 8 at Muttart Hall, a musical mélange of pianists including Massey and Cutmore play a series of miniatures spanning the 18th century until today. A panel discussion will follow, titled What Good are Artists Anyway?

Brittany's Lounge is command central on Saturday, July 15 for Late Night @ Alberta Pianofest. All festival instructors along with special jazz great Charlie Austin forge an alliance for a Canada-centred celebration of light, frothy British, French and American composed music.

"The idea was to make it a tribute to the countries that have most influenced Canadian culture," Cutmore said.

A free, young artist showcase takes place at Edmonton City Hall on Friday, July 21 at 4 p.m. Later that evening, Sylvestre offers a lecture-recital on Brahms' folk tales and medieval legends.

From its first year hosting a dozen students, three guest performances and no speakers, the festival has diversified into a dynamic and exciting event.

Of the recitals, Cutmore closes by saying, "Let the concerts speak for themselves. Go crazy. Come. Give it a try. You'll enjoy yourself."

Visit albertapianofest.com for complete, up-to-date festival information.