>>PREVIEW
CONTRASTS: UNIVERSITY OF CALGARY CHAMBER MUSIC FESTIVAL
Runs until June 18
Rozsa Centre (U of C)
Black and white. Good versus evil. The world is full of contrasts. That thought might have been at the back of Edmund Agopian’s mind when he sat down to program this year’s edition of the Contrasts Chamber Music Festival.
"The selections cover the gamut of musical language with everything from klezmer to jazz to the Heebee-Jeebees to new works by William Jordan and Shane Fage, to traditional classical music by Brahms, Mozart and Shostakovich."
He adds that the festival, which runs at the University of Calgary until June 18, reflects "a different philosophy of programming," which he likens to that espoused by CBC radio hosts Jurgen Gothe and Peter Tawnie.
The emphasis is placed on presenting an eclectic mix of ethnic music – jazz and classical, but, Agopian says, "as long as it is good music performed by accomplished players" it will attract an audience.
Beyond striving to design a program that he hopes will appeal to the general music lover, Agopian claims that he wasn’t concerned with issues of musical style or genre when choosing pieces for the performances.
One constraint he did face – although Agopian prefers to say it was more of an opportunity and a goal – was to find a way to highlight the depth and variety of musical talent within the U of C community of students, alumni and faculty. Because the University of Calgary is celebrating its 40th anniversary this year he decided to focus more on the work of alumni composers like Nova Pon. The recent graduate will see her "Fantasy for alto saxophone and string quartet" premiered at the last concert of the festival on June 18. This is, she admits, not a common combination of instruments but it isn’t without precedent.
The piece, approximately 15 minutes long, is apparently quite upbeat and rhythmic. The series other premiere, William Jordan’s "Wallace Stevens Song Cycle, 2003" can be heard on Friday, June 16.
Other focal points of the festival include works by Shostakovich and Mozart celebrating, respectively, the 100th and 250th anniversaries of their births. Because an organ is presently being installed in the recital hall at the Rosza Centre, all concerts will take place in the main hall. Seating is, therefore, limited but the space is more intimate and may offer an opportunity for increased interaction between the performers and audience.
For more information call 220-5089. |
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