The sensational musicians of baroque-gypsy ensemble Red Priest played to a thrilled audience in the acoustically-blessed Robertson-Wesley United Church on the evening of March 2nd. The group’s style of performance was an engaging departure from what audiences might have come to expect from these sorts of the concerts in the past, and perfectly complemented the evening’s spicy, … Read more
Music lovers who braved the unforgiving weather at the end of January were well-rewarded with one of the Gryphon Trio’s typically flawless performances. In an evening that presented a masterful survey of the genre, Canada’s preeminent piano trio ensemble warmed audiences with a healthy dose of sturdy, invigorating music that left concertgoers with an appreciative … Read more
Renowned American cellist Zuill Bailey and Russian-born American pianist Yuliya Gorenman played to an enthusiastic audience at McDougall United Church, on the evening of November 25, 2017. In a recital of diverse repertoire drawn from a range of international sources and contrasting time periods, these two professionals combined their formidable musical expertise to produce an experience that was both … Read more
Behzod Abduraimov’s September 23rd recital furnished the Edmonton Chamber Music Society with a memorable opening to its 2017/18 concert season. Though a relative newcomer to the impressive international cohort of young super-virtuosos that includes the likes of Yuja Wang, Daniil Trifonov and Lang Lang, Abduraimov has already enjoyed a steady rise to prominence over the last … Read more
The New York-based Attacca Quartet was a welcome feature of the festival’s 2017 line-up, both in the palpable energy and seriousness of the group’s performances of new music as well as in their de-facto ambassadorial role as young, up-and-coming faces in the world of chamber music and classical music, broadly. It is as highly effective … Read more
Krzyzstof JablonskiPolish pianist Krzysztof Jablonski opened this year’s festival with an impressive programme of French and Russian works. First offered, was Jablonski’s reading of Debussy’s well-known Children’s Corner suite (1908), a set of short, descriptive character pieces allegedly inspired by the toys in the nursery of the composer’s daughter. While by no means the most prophetic or … Read more
The remarkable voice of Canadian soprano Karina Gauvin, supported by the superb playing of Les Boréades de Montréal, captivated the audience at Convocation Hall on April 27th, 2017 in an expertly-crafted period performance of selections from the stage works of the mid-Baroque composer Henry Purcell. Period performances, meaning those given on replicated period instruments played … Read more
The playing of the New Orford String Quartet, at their April 1st, 2017 appearance in Edmonton, had a palpable energy no doubt inspired by fresh news of the group’s Juno win for their gripping account of the Brahms Op. 51 quartets, recorded last year for the Bridge label. Appearing with guests Orion Weiss (piano) and … Read more
Polka and Pride: The Pražák Quartet plays the Czech masters The Pražák Quartet appeared in Edmonton on March 10, 2017 to present a wide-ranging program that put the spotlight on some of the most important essays in the Czech musical canon. Performers feel a special duty to present their own national musical heritage to the … Read more
Jan Lisiecki is a great talent, not only because he plays flawlessly. The musical maturity that accompanies his formidable technique is really something to behold; he plays with the consideration and insight of a musician three times his age. The January 21st programme was especially suited to displaying this young performer’s remarkably refined emotional intelligence … Read more