Founded by Maestro Kristian Alexander in 2011, Markham Contemporary Music Festival
is an
annual event that takes place in various concert venues in Markham,
Ontario. The Festival promotes the performance of music written
worldwide in the 20th and
the 21st centuries. It also includes lectures and
seminars in both English and French, workshops, master-classes, pre-concert chats,
intermission discussions, post-concert receptions, documentary films about
the life of contemporary composers, and networking events.
The 2013 Markham Contemporary Music Festival included the following events:
VISIONS
An extraordinary evening of music and art
Christina Petrowska-Quilico | piano
Saturday, May 4, 2013 at 8:00 p.m.
Cornell Recital Hall
3201 Bur Oak Avenue, Markham
The complete books of Rhapsodies and Fantasias by Constantine Caravassilis for solo piano performed by internationally renowned Canadian pianist Christina Petrowska-Quilico are visions in sound, transcending lyrical poetry to passionate drama in an opera for the keyboard. Experience a world of intense and hypnotic soundscapes accompanied by projections on a screen of over 70 paintings created by Christina Petrowska-Quilico and inspired by the music. Driven by deep emotions and spirituality composer Constantine Caravassilis is intimately connected to his Hellenic roots, drawing inspiration from ancient Greek mythology and Byzantine music. His work also reflects his strong affinity to classical music ranging from the Baroque to impressionism. These virtuosic piano works are synaesthetically linked to colour and movement.
Tickets are $10 (general admission) and can be purchased by phone through the Kindred Spirits Orchestra Box Office at 905.604.8339, in person at the Kindred Spirits Orchestra administration office at 4981 Highway 7, Unit 8, Markham ON L3R 1N1 (Monday through Sunday from 1:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m.) or at the door of Cornell Recital Hall, 1 hour prior t the concert.
SIBELIUS' VIOLIN CONCERTO
Sunday, May 5, 2013 at 2:00 P.M.
Flato Markham Theatre for the Performing Arts
Maestro Alexander leads the Kindred Spirits Orchestra in Lutosławski’s Symphonic Variations, a rare survivor among his music written before the World War II, which would subject Poland to six years of direct Nazi German rule and forty-five years of domination by Soviet Russia. Internationally renowned French Canadian violinist Marc Djokic makes his début with the Kindred Spirits Orchestra in the emotionally intense Violin Concerto by the Finish composer Jan Sibelius. Stravinsky’s First Symphony, youthful and energetic, channels the full spirit of the Russian romantic era while paying homage to Tchaikovsky, Rimsky-Korsakov, and Glazunov.
Kristian Alexander | conductor
Mark Djokic | violin
Alexa Petrenko | host (National Classical 96.3 FM radio)
1:15 p.m. Pre-concert talk in the foyer of Markham Theatre
Intermission discussion with Alexa Petrenko and Marc Djokic
| Lutosławski, Symphonic Variations |
| Sibelius, Concerto for violin and orchestra, Op. 47 |
| Stravinsky, Symphony No. 1, Op. 1 |
| Kevin Lau, Artemis |
$32 | $22
Monday, May 6, 2013 at 7:30 p.m.
International Music Academy
4981 Highway 7, Unit 1, Markham
Lecture and a documentary film on the life and works of the
Polish composer Witold Lutosławski to celebrate the centennial of his birth. Hors-d'oeuvres and wine. Free admission.
KINDRED SPIRITS ORCHESTRA WORKSHOP and OPEN REHEARSAL
Canadian Composers Workshop with Kevin Lau
Tuesday, May 7, 2013 at 7:15 p.m.
Cornell Recital Hall
3201 Bur Oak Avenue,
Markham
Read-through session of compositions by contemporary Canadian composers.
Admission is free.