Pianist Adam Sherkin and Piano Lunaire are bringing the finale to the High Summer Haydn Festival to Toronto on September 8. The Festival began with performances in New York City through July, and a solo performance of The London Sonatas I on August 7.
Piano Lunaire was founded in 2018 with a home base in both Toronto and New York City, devoted to contemporary classical music presented for the 21st century. That includes monthly performances (usually timed for the full moon), educational efforts, and more.
Artists
Pianist/composer Adam Sherkin is a versatile musician and programmer. He’s worked with many different artists and organizations, including performances at the Four Seasons Centre, the Toronto Centre for the Arts, the Music Gallery, the Glenn Gould Studio, St Martin-in-the Fields, Covent Garden and the Royal Albert Hall. The Toronto native graduated from the Glenn Gould School with a BMus and went on to earn a Master of Music degree in composition at the Royal College of Music, London.
Guest Artists
Chantelle Grant (mezzo-soprano)
Toronto-based Chantelle Grant is known for her rich, dark tone, and wide ranging repertoire. Grant was invited to join the extra chorus of the Metropolitan Opera for four productions during its 2021-22 season. That included the Met’s landmark production of Terrance Blanchard’s Fire Shut Up In My Bones. Recent performances earlier in 2024 include a role in the Seattle Opera’s X, the life and times of Malcolm X by Anthony Davis, and Wagner’s Das Rheingold and Götterdämmerung at the Wagner in Vermont Festival.
Ivan Ivanovich (viola)
Canadian violist Ivan Ivanovich is a graduate of the Glenn Gould School, and received his Master’s degree from the Juilliard School. Along with his work as a chamber musician, and position as violist with the Toronto Symphony Orchestra, he has performed with the Canadian Opera Company, National Arts Centre, National Ballet, Esprit, and Hamilton Philharmonic Orchestras, among other ensembles.
Stephen Runge (piano)
Stephen Runge earned a Doctorate of Music in Piano Performance from l’Université de Montréal, and maintains a busy career as a recitalist and collaborative artist, as well as a teacher and clinician. His performances have been broadcast on CBC Radio Two and La Chaîne Culturelle de Radio-Canada. He is currently on leave from his position as Head of the Department of Music, Associate Professor of Piano, and Director of Mount Allison Local Centre Examinations in Music.
The London Sonatas I: The Program
The bill includes selected works from Haydn’s 52 sonatas, along with contemporary works that were inspired by Haydn. One of the pieces was composed by Adam Sherkin.
To Sherkin’s performance of Haydn’s piano sonata in C major, guest artist mezzo-soprano Chantelle Grant will add the Scottish folk song arrangements by Haydn, joined by violist Ivan Ivanovich in the two alto and viola songs by Brahms, Op. 91. Pianist Stephen Runge will performs Haydn’s second ‘London’ sonata in D major, Hob.XVI/51 as well as contemporary British homages to the classical composer.
The full list includes:
- Haydn: Piano sonata in C major, Hob.XVI: No. 50; Piano sonata in D major, Hob.XVI: No. 51
- Haydn: Scottish Folk Song Arrangements (excerpts)
- Benjamin: Meditation on Haydn’s Name (1982)
- Bennett: Impromptu on the Name of Haydn (1982)
- Rubbra: Invention on the Name of Haydn, Op. 160 (1982)
- Berkeley: Mazurka, Op. 101b (1982)
- Sherkin: Farewell Sonatina (Canadian premiere)
- Brahms: Two songs for alto, viola and piano, Op. 91
More information and tickets for the concert at The Arts & Letters Club in Toronto on Sunday, September 8 [HERE].
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