2013 / 2014 Wyatt Concert Series

Tickets
Single tickets: $50 general; $35 students/seniors/MRU Community
Series Subscription: $150 general; $105 students/seniors/MRU Community
[Complimentary MMB concert ticket with every Wyatt Series subscription]
Buy online, by phone, 403.440.7770, or download our ticket order form.
All ticket sales benefit the Wyatt Artist in Residence program.
All concerts in the Leacock Theatre, Mount Royal University.
All concerts except July 30 at 7:30 p.m; July 30 concert only commences at 7 p.m.

TUESDAY, JULY 30, 2013
WORLD PREMIERE: WORKS BY COMPOSER CHRISTOPHER THEOFANIDIS
A Wyatt/MMB collaboration, featuring the MMB String Orchestra, Nick Pulos conducting, clarinetists David Shifrin and Paul Dornian, Ning Feng, violin, and Ni Tao, cello.

Celebrated American composer Christopher Theofanidis writes regularly for a variety of musical genres, from orchestral and chamber music to opera and ballet. His work, Rainbow Body, which is loosely based on a melodic fragment of Hildegard of Bingen, has been programmed by over 120 orchestras internationally. Mr. Theofanidis' other works have been performed by such groups as the New York Philharmonic, the London Symphony, the Philadelphia Orchestra, the Orpheus Chamber Orchestra, and the Moscow Soloists. Mr. Theofanidis has a long-standing relationship with the Atlanta Symphony and Maestro Robert Spano, and his Symphony #1 has just been released by that orchestra on compact disc.
Mr. Theofanidis has written widely for the stage, from a work for the American Ballet Theatre, to multiple dramatic pieces, including The Refuge for the Houston Grand Opera and Heart of a Soldier for Thomas Hampson and the San Francisco Opera. His large-scale piece, The Here and Now, for soloists, chorus, and orchestra, based on poetry of Rumi, was nominated for a Grammy® Award in 2008.

At this concert the MMB String Orchestra will play the world premiere of a new work by Chris for two clarinets and strings. David Shifrin and Paul Dornian will be the clarinet soloists.

The concert will also feature the Canadian premiere of Chris's new solo piano piece, Birichino,  commissioned by the 2013 van Cliburn Piano Competition, as well as Summer Verses (2009) for violin and cello performed by Ning Feng, violin and Ni Tao, cello.

Chris Theofanidis will provide commentary on his works. Those pieces will be complemented by other stunningly beautiful new works by Corigliano, Grudzien, and Saariaho. 

WEDNESDAY, OCT. 23, 2013
NADJA SALERNO-SONNENBERG, VIOLIN and ANNE-MARIE McDERMOTT, PIANO

Electrifying performances, fearless interpretations and musical depth have established violinist Nadja Salerno-Sonnenberg as one of the leading violinists of our time.

Pianist Anne-Marie McDermott is a consummate artist who balances a versatile career as a soloist and collaborator. The Ms Salerno-Sonneburg and Ms McDermott have a long standing collaboration and as a duo, they have released a CD titled Live on the NSS label and plan to release the Complete Brahms Violin and Piano Sonatas in the future.

WEDNESDAY, JAN. 22, 2014
RUSSELL BRAUN, BARITONE and CAROLYN MAULE, PIANO

Renowned for his luminous voice “capable of the most powerful explosions as well as the gentlest covered notes” (Toronto Star), baritone Russell Braun has captivated concert, opera and recital audiences across North America, in Europe and in Asia.

Much in demand as a vocal accompanist, Canadian pianist Carolyn Maule has worked with such renowned artists as Michael Schade, Monica Whicher, Patricia Racette, Isabel Bayrakdarian, Norine Burgess, Elizabeth Turnbull, and for this concert, she accompanies her husband, baritone Russell Braun.

TUESDAY, APRIL 1, 2014
GABRIELA MONTERO, PIANO

Gabriela Montero’s visionary interpretations have won her a quickly expanding audience and devoted following around the world. In addition to her brilliant and nuanced classical interpretations, Ms Montero’s unique personal style comes from her improvisational gifts. “I connect to my audience in a completely unique way—and they connect with me. Because improvisation is such a huge part of who I am, it is the most natural and spontaneous way I can express myself”. Today, in both recital and after performing a concerto, Ms Montero often invites her audience to participate in asking for a melody for improvisations.