Pianist

Steve Reich and Terry Riley have each had a profound influence on the way we listen to music. The term “minimalism” is often used to characterize their music, yet the music itself is anything but minimal; incorporating much nuance and subtlety that is maximal in imagination and innovation.

6 Pianos 12 Hands (Keyed Up! #3)

Jane Mallett Theatre

J.S. Bach’s Goldberg Variations is one of the most famous works in the Western canon. Our Variations on the Goldberg Variations reflects on Bach’s singular achievement through a contemporary lens. In the first half of the program, four living Canadian composers each write 7-8 variations for a total of 30 new variations, each preceded by a rendition of Bach’s original. The composers represent not only a diversity of aesthetics, but the newly-composed variations will alternate continuously between piano, harpsichord, organ and electronic keyboard. J.S. would have loved it!

Variations on Goldberg Variations (Keyed Up! #1)

The first part of the program will feature 6 short new works for keyboard by Emerging Composers in our Bridges program with mentorship by renowned composers Paul Grabowsky & André Ristic. The second part of the program will feature 4 compositions by 4 established composers.

Notations: RBC Bridges Composer Showcase (Keyed Up #2)

Aaron Schwebel returns to our stage to perform the entire The Four Seasons Recomposed by Richter whose re-writing of Vivaldi’s work moves it away from being the omnipresent piece of muzak that it has become. In contrast, Ligeti’s violin concerto, creating unexpected new sounds combined in novel ways, even uses mistuned string instruments, ocarinas and slide whistles to suggest Hungarian folksong. Shimmering harmonies, slow-moving, soaring melodies and rhythmic complexities and the “mad virtuosity” of the soloist’s role all contribute to the high level of excitement in this piece. Forming a bridge between the “baroque” harpsichord material in the Richter and the modern nature of Ligeti’s work, a solo harpsichord piece by Ligeti appears as a musical amuse-bouche.

EPSG:4326

Esprit Orchestra presents Violinissimo II

The Royal Conservatory of Music

Soloist friends of Esprit and outstanding soloists drawn from within Esprit are spotlighted in this program performing three exceptional concertos from different cultures. Reich’s minimalist, energized and infectious Runner sets the pace for this concert and leads to the contrasting, intense and distilled poetic moments of Abrahamsen’s Double Concerto with individual soloists relating to each other separately then alternatively playing in unison. Full attention will be on Erica Goodman in her performance of Music Director Pauk’s Harp Concerto, a work of virtuosity bringing the wide-ranging musical experiences of the composer’s background into play in a kind of musical self-portrait.

Runner

Did you ever think that “serious” new music could make you laugh? Seriously? It’s not usual for a piece of new music to get an audience to at least chuckle but it’s likely that the work by Bernard Lang on this concert will do just that—and do it with a highly exuberant take on some of the most important elements found in the music of today. Also, in this program Esprit again gives World Premieres of new works for chamber orchestra and contrasts a solo work for piano with larger works by the same composer (Gabriella Smith) performed earlier in the season. A reprise of Harman’s Partita provides listeners the chance to hear Mark Fewer perform this immensely virtuosic piece in the fine acoustic environment of Trinity-St. Paul’s Centre. Another highlight will be the appearance of Wallace Halladay on saxophone as featured soloist in the Lang. And can you imagine what an Imaginary Pancake sounds like?

Wesley Shen

Pianist

Events

Upcoming events

Feb 23, 2025

Runner · Esprit Orchestra

Apr 6, 2025

Imaginary Pancake · Esprit Orchestra

Past events

Apr 20, 2024

6 Pianos 12 Hands (Keyed Up! #3) · Soundstreams

Apr 18, 2024

Variations on Goldberg Variations (Keyed Up! #1) · Soundstreams

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