This Friday on Remembrance Day, the SBSQ is lucky to be able to be involved in the Collège Notre Dame’s ceremony. We will be performing the unique and compelling String Quartet by Witold Lutoslawski. While we perform, there will be a slide show of images from conflicts, past and present.
Having lived through both World Wars, Lutoslawski’s life was profounding affected by war. During the second World War, he was captured by German soldiers and almost ended up in a Nazi prison camp, however he managed to escape and walk 400kms back to Warsaw. This quartet was written during a war as well, the Cold War. Though one can never know exactly the mind of the composer, his artistic voice was undoubtedly influenced by witnessing and being involved in these conflicts. The distintive soundscapes that he creates in this work can be quite intense, and at times it would be easy to imagine screaming missiles and the roar of gunfire.
This will be the first time we perform the Lutoslawski String Quartet at a Remembrance Day ceremony; I am very interested to see how this context will affect the experience of this work.
My beloved nephews turn 1 year old today! Not only are they adorable and lovable, they are also inspirational. For their first Christmas, I was inspired to arrange my favourite lullabies for them. I enjoyed doing it so much, that I intend to create a full album of lullabies. Read more about it in my “Projects” section: Lullabies for Felix and Henry
I remember when I first started grade 9; I chose my highschool because it was the only one in town that still had a strings program! Sadly, strings in highschool is even more rare today than it was back then.
Luckily, Marymount Academy still has string classes! I was fortunate enough to be able to workshop with the junior strings class yesterday! What a lively and talented bunch of ladies! I always wish I had more time when I got into a school, but 75min is all we get. Still, I had a great time and we did good work during our time together – especially on the beloved “Allegro” 
I hope to be back there in December to follow-up!
There is nothing more educational in life than a good challenge. When we are required to dig deep, reach higher, go farther, we discover that our limitations are of our own making.
This week I am looking forward to the challenge of the beautiful (but difficult) new piano quintet by Robert Lemay. Territoires intérieurs is a piece that the SBSQ premiered in Banff with pianist Yoko Hirota. The unique timbres that Robert creates are so tantalizing to experience, that sometimes I think I can “see” the sound… That is, when I am not counting like crazy!
On this beautiful Thanksgiving weekend, I’d like to give a big thanks to all my friends and colleagues who support me in my endeavours. There have been a lot of changes this year, which makes things both challenging and fantastic! Couldn’t do it without you!
I’m also thankful for amazing repertoire: Sibelius “Intimate Voices” is currently on my music stand, as well as a new piano quintet by Robert Lemay. I’ll be playing these with my string quartet (The Silver Birch String Quartet) this Saturday October 15th. It’s a concert that celebrates the artistic expression of northern composers, artists and performers – including composer Robert Lemay (Canada), Carl Nielsen (Denmark) and Jean Sibelius (Finland). Heather Topp, a Sudbury artist, will be exhibiting her huge canvasses on stage behind us during performance. It’s going to be visually and aurally stimulating. I can’t wait!