On May 13, clarinettist Ann Murdocca presented her graduate recital at the Royal Conservatory of Music’s Mazzoleni Hall, featuring the world premieres of Coeur à Coeur , by Alice Ping-Yee Ho, alongside David Jaeger’s admirable Diptych – Lament and Defiance, both works for clarinet and piano.
It’s quite unusual for a graduate recital to offer a world premiere performance, let alone two!
Ann commented that she was very thankful for her talented friends on stage with her and the incredible composers Alice Ho and David Jaeger, for collaborating with her on two new works for clarinet and piano.
Ann said she is, “Inspired and eager to play more of their works.”
Alice Ho commented “We are happy composers—our works were performed beautifully, with heart and conviction! Thank you, Ann, and your wonderful pianist, Sonya Sim!”
Artists in Conversation was an event produced on June 9th in collaboration with Canadian Music Center and Piano Lunaire.
Brazilian/American pianist Sergio Gallo was heard in conversation with Piano Lunaire’s artistic director, pianist/composer Adam Sherkin, Brazilian composer/curator Maria-Eduarda Mendes Martins and moderator David Jaeger C.M., composer, producer and broadcaster.
The panelists presented selected solo music at the piano in a celebration and reflection of both Canadian and Brazilian keyboard lineage over the past 75 years. They spoke about artistic trends in piano music from both countries.
David Jaeger moderated and introduced his own music for keyboard. Jaeger, who recently finished a series of solo piano pieces responding to Mendelssohn’s Songs Without Words, was pleased when Gallo gave a brilliant performance of Jaeger’s Song Without Words no. 5 – I Can’t Help It. In fact, this was the World Premiere of the work, which also references the poetry of Scottish author David Cameron.
all photos by Zolen Georgievska
The Artists in Conversation event was a stimulating evening, filled with music and ideas shared between composers, pianists and music lovers alike. It was a fresh format, and it served to welcome Sergio Gallo to his first appearance as a soloist in Toronto.