{"id":107837,"date":"2024-09-24T15:40:45","date_gmt":"2024-09-24T19:40:45","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.ludwig-van.com\/toronto\/?p=107837"},"modified":"2024-09-25T08:00:03","modified_gmt":"2024-09-25T12:00:03","slug":"preview-amici-chamber-ensemble-open-2024-25-tribute-maestro-bernstein","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.ludwig-van.com\/toronto\/2024\/09\/24\/preview-amici-chamber-ensemble-open-2024-25-tribute-maestro-bernstein\/","title":{"rendered":"PREVIEW | The Amici Chamber Ensemble Open 2024\/25 With A Tribute To Maestro Bernstein"},"content":{"rendered":"
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L-R (clockwise): the Amici Ensemble, \u00a0Serouj Kradjian, Joaquin Valdepe\u00f1as and David Hetherington performing onstage at Trinity-St. Paul’s ; Mezzo-soprano Beste Kalender; violinist Erika Raum (Photos courtesy of the artists)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Last year\u2019s splashy Bradley Cooper-directed biopic turned a spotlight onto Leonard Bernstein as a conductor, composer, and complex personality. To open the 2024\/25 season, Toronto\u2019s Amici Ensemble keeps the focus on his compositions, with the help of mezzo-soprano Beste Kalender and violinist Erika Raum.<\/p>\n

The concert takes place on October 6 at Trinity-St. Paul’s Centre, and the program samples from Bernstein\u2019s diverse catalogue of works.<\/p>\n

Leonard Bernstein, Composer<\/h2>\n

\u201cBernstein for me personally has always been a musical idol. He was a musical polymath. He was a conductor, pianist, composer, educator, producer… I don’t think he left out anything in music that he couldn’t do. He was this vibrant personality, and that’s what we want to show in our program at [Maestro Bernstein],\u201d says Serouj Kradjian in a statement.<\/p>\n

Bernstein\u2019s work as a composer spans multiple genres, from the iconic score to the hit Broadway musical West Side Story, to his three symphonies, choral works, ballets, chamber music, piano pieces, and much more.<\/p>\n

Bernstein contributed the score to acclaimed theatre works of the era, including On the Town (1944), Candide (1956), and others. He worked with noted director Elia Kazan on his seminal movie On the Waterfront (1954).<\/p>\n

He captured the American spirit in his music, and left a body of artistic work that is still being explored.<\/p>\n

The Program<\/h2>\n

The concert is anchored by a West Side Story Medley arranged by Amici Co-Artistic Director (and pianist) Serouj Kradjian, but aims to present a showcase of Bernstein\u2019s diverse legacy as a composer.<\/p>\n

Instrumental Works:<\/h3>\n
    \n
  • Variations on an Octatonic Scale (originally written for recorder and cello, performed as a Duo for clarinet and cello by Co-Artistic Directors Joaquin Valdepe\u00f1as and David Hetherington)<\/li>\n
  • Clarinet Sonata, written by a young Bernstein in his 20s<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n

    Vocal Works:<\/h3>\n
      \n
    • West Side Story Medley (arranged by Serouj)<\/li>\n
    • I Can Cook Too<\/li>\n
    • Dream With Me<\/li>\n
    • Little Smary \u2014 Greeting<\/li>\n
    • Simple Song<\/li>\n
    • A Little Bit In Love<\/li>\n
    • Send in the Clowns<\/li>\n
    • I Feel Pretty<\/li>\n
    • Candide<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n