At times the flute sounds like the wind. At other times it chirps like a bird. And then again, an experienced flutist can almost create tones like a human voice.
It has an astonishing diversity of voices. When combining the instrument with the sensitivity, technical proficiency and joyful energy of musicians, it creates a concert of excellence.
St. Albert Chamber Music Society once again invites Top Notes Flute Quartet, the region’s most mesmerizing flutists, to perform Capricious Winds on March 16 at St. Albert United Church.
The quartet features internationally acclaimed musicians Elizabeth Koch, Edmonton Symphony Orchestra principal flute; Sarah Pollard, ESO assistant principal flute; Elizabeth Faulkner, ESO piccolo extraordinaire; and Petar Dundjerski, University of Alberta music instructor and freelance flutist.
St. Albert flute teacher Crystal Krips will also join the quartet, and emerging artist Arden Winsor accompanied by pianist Jessica Agrell-Smith opens the concert with George Frideric Handel’s Sonata in F Major op. 1, no. 11.
Although Top Notes musicians were busy with their own projects, six years ago they created the quartet to bring joy to people and inspire young musicians. As colleagues who had played with ESO on numerous occasions, the musicians already had a tight bond. By forming a quartet, they could explore different repertoire and bring the flute community together.
The quartet’s St. Albert debut concert in 2019 focused on 10 works spanning five centuries and three continents. Their second concert explores a full program of 11 contemporary 19th and 20th century compositions spread across eight countries.
“There’s been a proliferation of work for our instrument in the 20th century,” said Dundjerski explaining why the group veered away from traditional classical pieces. “The music in this period is beautiful, evocative, emotionally charged and subtle.”
The Sunday concert starts with Adrian Sanborn’s Firestorm, a short but intense piece which depicts a ferocious tempest of blistering flames fuelled by raging gales of wind.
“Adrian is interesting. This work was written when he was 14 and it’s a firestorm of notes. It’s rooted in description. It’s not emotional. Notes ignite left and right and they come out at a very fast pace,” Dundjerski said.
Satoshi Yagisawa’s Capricious Winds is a bright fresh sound with lively melodies and clever mixed meters promoting a sense of movement.
“It’s very melodic, very accessible. There are moments it sounds like a video game. It’s very youthful sounding. We wanted music that would draw parallels in our lives, and this is a very happy, relatable piece.”
Jonathan Cohen’s Two pieces for alto and bass flutes shows contrasts between the two instruments. While the first piece, Just Below the Rainbow is solemn, São Paulo Shimmer swings with bossa nova rhythms.
Canadian composer Jennifer Cluff’s Flutzalad Suite No. 1 instead lends a Celtic air to the program. On the other hand, Phillippe Gaubert’s 19th century Madrigal, originally composed for piano and flute, is a tribute to the great French master César Franck. Both Krips and Winsor join the quartet for added inspiration and to create the emotional warmth and sense of peace the composition requires.
“What we hope to offer is a multi-colour program from different eras with different approaches. We feel happy and privileged to play in different venues and for people in different walks of life. It’s special for us to play together and bring people together.”
Capricious Winds takes place this Sunday at 3 p.m. in St. Albert United Church, 20 Green Grove Drive. Tickets are $15 to $40 at Musée Heritage Museum, Eventbrite or at the door.
