{"id":113442,"date":"2025-04-10T16:47:28","date_gmt":"2025-04-10T20:47:28","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.ludwig-van.com\/toronto\/?p=113442"},"modified":"2025-04-14T09:16:36","modified_gmt":"2025-04-14T13:16:36","slug":"preview-cathedral-bluffs-symphony-orchestra-presents-appalachian-spring","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.ludwig-van.com\/toronto\/2025\/04\/10\/preview-cathedral-bluffs-symphony-orchestra-presents-appalachian-spring\/","title":{"rendered":"PREVIEW | Cathedral Bluffs Symphony Orchestra Presents Appalachian Spring"},"content":{"rendered":"
\"Cathedral
Cathedral Bluffs Symphony Orchestra with conductor Martin MacDonald (Photo courtesy of CBSO)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Conductor Martin MacDonald and the Cathedral Bluffs Symphony Orchestra will celebrate the new season with a concert titled Appalachian Spring on April 19. The varied program ranges from Schumann to Toronto\u2019s own Alexina Louie.<\/p>\n

One of the highlights of the event will be a performance by Dayou Kim, a young pianist who took home first prize at the 2024 CCC Toronto International Music Festival Concerto Competition.<\/p>\n

We spoke to conductor Martin MacDonald and pianist Michael Berkovsky, Dayou Kim\u2019s instructor at The Taylor Academy about the event.<\/p>\n

The Concert<\/h2>\n

The program for Appalachian Spring includes:<\/p>\n

    \n
  • Ravel: Le Tombeau de Couperin Suite<\/li>\n
  • Mascagni: Cavalleria rusticana: Intermezzo<\/li>\n
  • Schumann: Piano Concerto in A minor, Op. 54 (1st mvt), Dayou Kim, piano<\/li>\n
  • Alexina Louie: Music for a Celebration (1990)<\/li>\n
  • Copland: Appalachian Spring: Suite (1945)<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n

    Michael Berkovsky<\/h3>\n

    Canadian-Israeli pianist Michael Berkovsky, Dayou Kim\u2019s instructor, is a Faculty member at The Glenn Gould School and The Taylor Academy at the Royal Conservator, and an award-winning musician. Many of his students have gone on to win competitions and study at the world\u2019s most prominent music schools.<\/p>\n

    \u201cIn the last 15 or 20 years, I\u2019ve shifted my attention to teaching,\u201d Berkovsky explained.<\/p>\n

    His lessons with Dayou take place at The Taylor Academy. \u201cWe have a very talented child,\u201d he says of her.<\/p>\n

    At The Taylor Academy, he\u2019s working with not only high level students, but world class colleagues. \u201cThere\u2019s a lot of high level teachers that moved here,\u201d he notes. \u201cIt\u2019s a supportive environment. The RCM, I think it\u2019s he best system out there,\u201d he adds. \u201cIt\u2019s a system that has enabled many kids to climb up the ladder.\u201d<\/p>\n

    He believes the level of talent and technique that he\u2019s experiencing now has, in general, risen over the years.<\/p>\n

    \u201cMy own approach is about 50 percent the piano, and 50 percent a relationship with my students,\u201d he explains.<\/p>\n

    It\u2019s Toronto\u2019s classical music ecosystem that supports that growth and progress.<\/p>\n

    \u201cIt\u2019s amazing that we have so many orchestras in town,\u201d he says. \u201cToronto these days is one of the best towns to be a classical musician.\u201d<\/p>\n

    He points out how many Canadians are out there taking international competitions by storm.<\/p>\n

    When it comes to coaching his own students for a competition, it\u2019s important to keep the focus on the music, and to help them remember it\u2019s not a life or death situation. \u201cI like to remind kids that it\u2019s not really all about the competition,\u201d he says. He reminds them it\u2019s also about hearing their friends play, and perhaps finding out about new pieces they\u2019d like to tackle.<\/p>\n

    Dayou Kim began studying piano at the age of six, and is studying with Michael on a full scholarship at The Taylor Academy. She has previously won multiple awards and scholarships, including 2022 The Taylor Academy Concerto Competition.<\/p>\n

    \u201cDayou came from Korea I think about five years ago,\u201d Berkovsky says.<\/p>\n

    Admissions to The Taylor Academy are by audition, and Dayou was one of the top students over the last five years or so.<\/p>\n

    \u201cShe is particularly technically gifted,\u201d Michael says. \u201cI tell her in class sometimes that I\u2019m jealous of her fingers.\u201d<\/p>\n

    Kim seems to connect with the music on a deep level. \u201cIt\u2019s fun for her.\u201d<\/p>\n

    The Schumann Piano Concerto is one she hasn\u2019t performed before publicly. \u201cIt\u2019s kind of a new push for us,\u201d he says. He points out the more mature emotional depth of the work, with its combination of passion and lyricism. \u201cI had her read some of the love letters between Robert and Clara, which always causes some giggles in class,\u201d he says. \u201cI really like what she\u2019s doing with this.\u201d<\/p>\n

    He\u2019s happy to see her performing with CBSO. \u201cIt\u2019s great to see the new generation of audience [members] and musicians.\u201d<\/p>\n

    Dayou Kim performs Chopin\u2019s Scherzo No. 4 in E Major, Op. 54 in July 2024:<\/p>\n