Brahms forms the centrepiece for the next performance by North Wind Concerts, along with European works from the 18th to 20th centuries, and a splash of Argentinian fire to add to the mix. Clarinettist Colin Savage, cellist Mary-Katherine Finch, and pianist Stephanie Chau perform the eclectic mix of imaginative music on January 24.
The three musicians have collaborated together for years, and bring a warm chemistry to the performance.
The Music
The Clarinet Trio in A minor, Op. 114 by Johannes Brahms is one of four pieces that the composer wrote spotlighting the clarinet. He wrote it for clarinettist Richard Mühlfeld, and it premiered at a private event in 1891. Brahms was staying in Bad Ischl at the time, and toying with the idea of quitting the composing game altogether. Luckily, his friendship with Mühlfeld persuaded him to write this rare piece for cello, piano, and clarinet, and continue his work.
Austrian composer Carl Frühling was born in 1868, and studied piano and music theory at the Wiener Musikverein before launching a career as a piano accompanist and composer. His Clarinet Trio Op. 40 for Clarinet, Cello and Piano is one of his best known works. His music followed in the classical romantic tradition, while approaching a more modern, turn of the 20th century aesthetic.
Three Little Pieces, or 3 Pezzi Piccoli by Belgian composer/clarinettist/conductor Werner Debleser was written in 2022. Debleser was born in 1959 in Bornem, Belgium, and studied clarinet, piano and contrabass, along with classical singing, poetry, and other topics in music theory and psychology. He’s performed with a number of chamber ensembles and symphonic bands, along with a jazz big band. Along with his compositions, he conducts Musica con Gioia (a symphonic chamber orchestra) and is a member of Klarinata (a clarinet ensemble).
Also on the program are the Agnus Dei from J.S. Bach’s B Minor Mass, and Astor Piazzolla’s tango Oblivion, as arranged by the performers themselves for the unusual trio.
The Musicians
Canadian pianist Stephanie Chua has devoted much of her musical practice to presenting and performing contemporary works. She has performed as a soloist and in chamber recitals in Canada, Europe, and Asia, and her performances have been broadcast on the radio across Canada and in Europe. She has performed in festivals from Toronto to Ho Chi Minh City and Shanghai. As a collaborative pianist, Stephanie has performed with ensembles such as Esprit Orchestra and Continuum Contemporary Music. Stephanie is a co-founder of junctQín keyboard collective with Elaine Lau and Joseph Ferretti, a trio of pianists who have premiered more than 40 new works.
She is also an educator who has taught at various institutions, including the University of Toronto Scarborough, University of Western Ontario, University of Saskatchewan, University of Lethbridge, Lakehead University, and the Victoria Conservatory of Music.
Cellist Mary-Katherine Finch performs with a number of ensembles, and in a variety of musical genres. Among others, she has performed with the National Ballet of Canada Orchestra, and Hamilton Philharmonic Orchestra, and as guest principal cellist with Windsor Symphony, and Niagara Symphony. She is the principal cellist of Mississauga Symphony.
Colin Savage has been principal clarinetist with the Mississauga Symphony for over 30 years. He performs regularly on historical instruments as well as the contemporary clarinet. Colin performs with a variety of ensembles in Southern Ontario, and has performed on multiple occasions at the Royal Opera House at Versailles with Opera Atelier. He has worked with New York Collegium, Tafelmusik, Canadian Opera Company, Apollo’s Fire, les Boréades, Toronto Symphony Orchestra and the Toronto Consort.
- Find more details about the concert and tickets [HERE].
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