A number of talented small ensembles from the School of the Arts, Media and Culture (SAMC) at Trinity Western University present an evening of chamber music, with works by the 16th century composer Palestrina to the 1980s British rock band Dire Straits. TWU’s Renaissance Singers, Piano Quartet, Wind Quintet, Saxophone Quintet, and Guitar Quartet will perform April 3 at 7:30pm.
The evening will showcase a wide range of styles ranging from the acoustic a cappella vocal harmonies of Palestrina’s Missa Brevis to the “plugged-in” electric guitars of Dire Straits’ Sultans of Swing. Movements from Danzi’s Grand Quintette for wind quintet and Schumann’s Piano Quartet in E-flat Major, Op. 47 (comprised of violin, viola, cello and piano) serve to bridge the historic gap.
Robert Schumann wrote his Op. 47 piano quartet in 1842, a year which he devoted to chamber music, including 3 string quartets and a piano quintet. Schumann’s reverence for Beethoven is reflected in the structure of the piano quartet, which imitates Beethoven’s well-known Sonata Pathetique in C minor, Op. 13, No. 8.
TWU’s Guitar Quartet coach, Tim Olsen, is excited that the group will be going electric for the first time ever. This new direction allows for a more authentic exploration of pieces such as Miles Davis’ So What and the theme from Inspector Gadget, written by John Jorgenson.
For an eclectic mix of music spanning almost 500 years of musical history, plan to attend this evening of music performed by SAMC Music’s chamber ensembles. It promises to provide a truly unique mix of styles and timbres. Presented as part of the university’s 4th Annual Festival of the Arts, Media and Culture, March 12 – April 15. For information on this and upcoming events, visit www.twu.ca/samc.
Event at a glance
Date: Wednesday, April 3
Time: 7:30pm
Place: Instrumental Music Hall, TWU Music Building
Tickets: Admission by donation ($5 suggested)
Contact: Shayna Leenstra p: 604.513.2173 e: Shayna.Leenstra@twu.ca