Almonte in Concert Returns for New Season

Almonte in Concert Returns for New Season - theHumm August 2016

By — Maureen Nevins, Artistic Director

Almonte in Concert’s 2016-17 season features an outstanding roster of Canadian and international artists in performances that promise to be exciting and diverse. We are exceedingly fortunate to have the opportunity to offer such wonderful listening experiences in the intimate and acoustically superb Ron Caron Auditorium at Almonte Old Town Hall.

The season opens on October 15 with two of the most visible, multifaceted, and sought-after artists on the Canadian music scene, who lead brilliant careers as soloists but also play together under the captivating name of Piano Chameleons. Matt Herskowitz and John Roney — along with their special guest, jazz legend Oliver Jones — perform on two grand pianos and improvise in a jazz style on well-known works from the classical repertoire. Their interpretations take into account the traditions of both classical and jazz music, but that injection of jazz improvisation means they never perform the same way twice! The programme is also a preview of the contents of their first CD, scheduled for release later this month. Oliver Jones, who is known to derive his inspiration from audience vibes, is delightfully unpredictable, both as a soloist and with Piano Chameleons.

Just in time for the holiday season, the Ewashko Singers — led by Laurence Ewashko, tenor Jean-Philippe Fortier-Lazure, and pianist Aude Urbancic — will treat you to a stirring and heartwarming selection of Christmas repertoire. Audiences will also have the opportunity to add their voice to traditional sing-along carols. Founded in 1992 with the mandate of performing in a live broadcast marking the 50th anniversary year of Radio Canada International, the Ewashko Singers are widely recognized as one of the most versatile vocal ensembles on the concert stage today. Laurence Ewashko himself has been a central figure in promoting quality and appreciation of vocal music in the National Capital Region for more than 25 years. In great demand as a choral clinician and vocal coach, he is also a former conductor of the renowned Vienna Boys’ Choir.

What better way to heat up a cold January day than to enjoy a concert by the dazzling, dynamic duo of virtuoso clarinetist Kornel Wolak and Juno-nominated pianist and composer Chris Donnelly? They will perform a remarkable blend of revered classical works, such as a movement from Mozart’s Clarinet Concerto in A Major, and jazz standards that include Gershwin’s famous Rhapsody in Blue and Oscar Peterson’s classic Hymn to Freedom. With their peerless stage presence and profound passion for music and performing, they will delight you with an afternoon full of surprises.

We are pleased to welcome back the critically acclaimed, globe-trotting Montreal Guitar Trio, also known as MG3, whose last appearance in our series in 2007 was met with great enthusiasm and a sold out house. When it comes to music, MG3 enjoy being eclectic. After all, it was their passion to explore different genres, styles, and approaches that brought them together more than fifteen years ago, and that passion continues to inspire them in creating their highly diverse repertory, as is well illustrated on their six CD releases. Although all three members hail from a rock background, they trained as classical guitarists at the Université de Montréal. For their concert in Almonte, they team up with the pioneer and master of the Indian slide guitar, Debashish Bhattacharya.

The Almonte in Concert season concludes with cellist Paul Marleyn and pianist Mauro Bertoli, well-established artists on the international scene, both as soloists and together. They present an entrancing programme with a fascinating theme: music associated with the four contrasting elements as defined by Plato — earth, air, fire, and water! The concert features works by Chopin, Schumann, Brahms, Glazunov, Saint-Saëns, Respighi, and Piazzolla. As a member of Trio Hochelaga, Paul Marleyn closed our 2011-12 season, a memorable occasion for him as he inaugurated the gorgeous, rare Italian cello made in Milan in 1770 by Pietro Landolfi, an instrument he subsequently made the decision of purchasing.

Tickets are available now by visiting almonteinconcert.com … Hurry to get yours and join us for a compelling musical adventure!

Pieter Doef —In the Service ofArt and Humanity - theHumm August 2016

Fifteen years ago, theHumm was pleased and privileged to feature artist and sculptor Pieter Doef as our profiled artist in April 2001. The headline read “Pieter Doef — A Life-long Art of Givin......

Almonte in Concert Returns for New Season - theHumm August 2016