Sometime in December 2012 I was interviewed by the Royal Conservatory of Music for their publication called "Music Matters."Here's the result!
One can read the whole issue here.
Here's a photo from the first concert of the Montreal Collective Orchestra - Orchestre Collectif de Montréal. We performed Beethoven's Serioso Quartet Op. 95 (arr. Mahler) and Tchaikovsky's String Serenade for an enthusiastic and large audience. I'm very much looking forward to the next project with this group!
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I'm very happy to announce the birth of a new project that I've been scheming about for a long while...
The Montreal Collective Orchestra is a conductor-less chamber orchestra in Montreal made up of young versatile and innovative musicians who have come together to experiment and bring new life to the performance of large-scale chamber music. Founded in 2012 by Andrea Stewart and Carissa Klopoushak, the members of the Montreal Collective Orchestra work together in an atmosphere that is conducive to creativity, excellence, and a good time, resulting in performances that are engaging, energetic and truly reflect the calibre of the musicians that partake in them. Without a conductor, the propelling force behind the artistic decision-making process one that is inclusive and democratic – that is to say, collective.
The group's first concert takes place on Saturday, March 9th at 4:30pm at Christ Church Cathedral, downtown Montreal.
On the March 9th program: Tchaikovsky's String Serenade, Op. 48 in C major, Beethoven's Quartetto Serioso, Op. 95 in f minor, arranged by Mahler for string orchestra, and bits by Dvorak.
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Christ Church Cathedral is located at: 635 Sainte-Catherine St W, Montreal, QC H3A 2B8 Station McGill
Carissa Klopoushak has been asked to join pianist Louise Bessette, cellist Yegor Dyachkov, and clarinetist Simon Aldrich as a member of ARTefact. ARTefact is an ensemble comprised of four of Canada's most exciting musicians. Spirited and like-minded, ARTefact's four members view the ensemble not only as an opportunity to present pieces from the broad and vivid repertoire for clarinet, violin, 'cello and piano, but also as a fount of diverse and compelling repertoire for combinations within its instrumentation; piano trio, clarinet trio, instrumental sonatas, duos and solos. Passionate for the Classical and Romantic repertoire for the various instrumental combinations within ARTefact's configuration, these musicians are also distinct advocates of the music of our time. ARTefact builds on its commitment to new music by commissioning and premiering new works for this ensemble's unique and popular instrumentation, having commissioned pieces from Canadian luminaries such as Serge Arcuri, Michael Oesterle and Nicolas Gilbert.
Drawing from repertoire that traverses the centuries, ARTefact's performances are as riveting as they are engrossing, "of the highest intensity, absolutely searing in its emotional force in live performance". Dedicated to the music of today, devoted to the music of yesterday, ARTefact's imaginative and innovative programming, coupled with an unrivaled energy, make them the only group of its kind on the Canadian chamber music scene.
My best wishes for a healthy, happy, and fulfilling 2013!
Greetings from Banff!
I've settled into my beautiful accommodations at The Banff Centre for a very special two weeks. This week, I'm enjoying the peace and space to write my Doctoral Dissertation, "Cornerstones of the Ukrainian Violin Repertoire: 1870-Present." Having time with old friends (especially the other former-Saskatchewan ladies) is a wonderful part of the experience as well.
Next week, I'll be participating in Gruppo Montebello, an ensemble spearheaded by Henk Guittart. We'll be performing and recording turn of the 20th century music by Schoenberg, Berg, Webern, Wagner, and Zemlinsky - all for an ensemble of strings, winds, and keyboards. As well, we'll be working on a new commission by Brian Current, called "Sungods."
I'm very excited to be working with many of my favourite colleagues in this venture. More on this later; back to the dissertation...
Vengerov Masterclass
Masterclass on Tzigane with Maxim Vengerov October 26, 2012.
As discussed in my lecture-recital, here is the video of Andrij Bielov performing Skoryk's 6th concerto:
М. Скорик. Концерт для скрипки з оркестром № 6 Скрипка - Андрій Бєлов Диригент - Мирослав Скорик Симфонічний оркестр Львівської філармонії. СОЛФ жовтень 2010
M. Skoryk. Concerto for Violin number 6 Soloist - Andrey Belov Conductor - Miroslav Skoryk Lviv Philharmonic Orchestra LPO October 2010
And here is the video of the New Music Ensemble RICOCHET performing Sil'vestrov's Drama 1st Movement (Sonata for Violin and Piano):
Valentin Silvestrov
Drama for violin, cello and piano I. Sonata for violin and piano
New Music Ensemble Ricochet
Zoltan Almashi - cello Myhajlo Bilych - violin Dmytro Tavanets - piano
Sergiy Pilyutikov - artistic director
Here is a live video of Warhol Dervish (John Corban and Carissa Klopoushak; violins, Pemi Paul, viola; JC Lizotte, cello) playing Nico Muhly's Diacritical Marks at the Ottawa Chamber Music Festival, August 4th 2012. It was part of a larger program of Works for Heart and Breath by Richard Reed Parry (Arcade Fire bassist), with a first half of works by Muhly, Bryce Dessner (The National), and Terry Riley. More videos to come...
Hey Saskatoon friends! I'm very proud to announce that my festival, the Ritornello Chamber Music Festival, has launched a Fall Series of Concerts. Look for upcoming shows at both Paddockwood's new The Woods Ale House (RITORNELLO ON TAP) and at The Bassment (RITORNELLO UNDERGROUND).
The first show takes place:
THURSDAY, OCTOBER 18, The Bassment (8pm)
RITORNELLO UNDERGROUND
Ritornello Festival presents: Jacqueline Woods & Denise Fillion (Piano Duo), playing cosmic and revolutionary 20th century american music by Rzewski, Crumb, and Adams. This performance is guaranteed to knock your socks off while you sip on your beer.