The Edmonton Chamber Music Society presents
8th Annual Summer Solstice Music Festival
June 18–21, 2015
Ancient and Modern Voices of the East | Friday, June 19, 2015
6:45 PM Artist Talk with Sara Davis Buechner
7:30 PM Concert
Convocation Hall | U of A Campus | Parking map | Visitor parking rates
Erhu master George Gao, a virtuoso performer on the two-stringed instrument some know as a “Chinese violin”, performs several of his own compositions in a program highlighting the musical traditions of the Far East.
The shimmering delicacy of Debussy’s Pagodes and the gamelan-inspired sounds in Lou Harrison’s Varied Trio reveal a fascination with non-Western modes and instruments. This mix of eastern and western elements continues in works by Alan Hovhaness, and contemporary composers Bright Sheng and Yukiko Nishimura.
The Art of Transcription | Saturday, June 20, 2015
6:45 PM Emerging artist: Violinist Ewald Cheung
7:30 PM Concert
Robertson-Wesley United Church | 10209 – 123 Street Edmonton, AB [map ]
Transcriptions, or new arrangements of original works, offer some unexpected discoveries in this program, including adaptations by some of tonight’s performers (Mozart for erhu and string quartet!). Igor Stravinsky incorporated “fragments” from Pergolesi and other Italian Baroque composers into his early 20th century work Suite italienne.
Piano transcriptions of well-known works by Bach, waltzes by Dvořák and the beloved Schubert “arpeggione” sonata round out the evening, culminating with pianist Matt Herskowitz’s own arrangements and improvisations of Gershwin songs for violin and piano.
Summer Passion | Sunday, June 21, 2015
2:15 PM Young performers pre-concert
3 PM Concert
Convocation Hall | U of A Campus | Parking map | Visitor parking rates
The Festival concludes with an eclectic program of chamber works, with a special collaboration between two Festival artists. The program includes Joaquín Turina’s first piano trio, a masterful work that reimagines conventional forms with folk-inspired materials.
Anton Arensky’s piano quintet, written in 1900, is the featured composition in this program played by Sara Davis Buechner and Festival artists. A work of great beauty and expressiveness, it has been rediscovered in recent years by a new and wider audience.
2015 Artists
George Gao | Erhu
Lara St. John | Violin
Jasmine Lin | Violin
Teng Li | Viola
Ariel Barnes | Cello
Denise Djokic | Cello
Sara Davis Buechner | Piano
Matt Herskowitz | Piano
Patricia Tao | Piano
Brian Jones | Percussion
Join us for our Late Night Concerts
La Vuta: Violin Beyond the Pale
Lara St. John | Violin
Matt Herskowitz | Piano
Thursday, June 18, 2015 | 8 PM
Yellowhead Brewery | 10229 – 105 St. Edmonton, AB
Enjoy a free beverage!
$15 [included in purchase of All-access Festival Pass]
Buy online: TIX | YEG Live
Tickets also available at door.
Violinist Lara St. John and pianist Matt Herskowitz offer an exciting evening of Eastern European folk, gypsy and Jewish music.
Up Late with George Gao, erhu
Saturday, June 20, 2015 | 10 PM
Ampersand 27 | 10612 – 82 Ave. [park in the parkade to the west of O’Byrne’s Pub]
Enjoy free charcuterie!
$15 [included in purchase of All-access Festival Pass]
Buy online: TIX | YEG Live
Tickets also available at door.
