After a two-year hiatus from the city’s music scene, the St. Albert Chamber Music Society is set to make a careful but jubilant return featuring the sparkling sounds of the trumpet.
“We are overjoyed to welcome you back to celebrate the joy of sharing music and the opportunity of sharing a musical experience once more,” said Nancy Watt, spokesperson for St. Albert Chamber Music Society.
“That is one of the things we missed most. During the pandemic, we were not just missing family, but that connection with the larger group — that commitment to share something passionate with an audience."
Robin Doyon, principal trumpet for Edmonton Symphony Orchestra, accompanied by concert pianist Sarah Ho, will take listeners on a 200-year journey through the classical repertoire Saturday, April 2 at St. Albert United Church.
The duo performs seven individual works specifically chosen to focus on the trumpet’s different moods. Three of the highlights include Alexander Goedicke’s Concert Etude, op 49; Allen Vizzutti’s Sonata No. 2; and Manuel de Falla’s Seven Spanish Folk Songs.
“The trumpet can be sensuous, poetic, and lush. It is not always loud and brassy. It can be very warm and expressive,” Watt said.
Doyon was initially invited to perform two years ago when the pandemic hit. A different pianist was originally slated to perform. However, she moved to Toronto, making it difficult to rehearse regularly and Ho was brought on board.
“Robin and I both had the same idea for this concert. People don’t often have the opportunity to enjoy trumpet solos. There is a lot of repertoire written for the trumpet as well as beautiful arias,” said Watt.
She sees Doyon as a musician with quiet confidence and passionate intensity capable of blending phrase upon glowing phrase.
As for Ho, Watt reminds us the pianist has performed for the society in several recitals with different musicians.
“I love her flair, her energy, her technique. She is a delight to see perform. Again, she is confident, and you see how she loves to play.”
Opening the evening is a newly formed French horn trio. In fact, the trio is so new, its members have not yet selected a name, said spokesperson Alicia Krips. The other two musicians are Bronwen Taylor and Ali Nizamani.
Krips grew up in St. Albert, and now attends the University of Alberta’s music program. During a performance class, the three musicians were paired up to form a trio and that was the start of dynamic beginning.
“Our friendship makes it special. There is a visible bond when we play. There is a group passion for what we are doing,” explained Krips.
The Horn Trio performs two works from Anton Reicha’s Six Trios, Opus 82, for Three Horns: No. 2 Allegretto and No. 6 Finale: Allegro Scherzando.
“No. 2 is quite bouncy, and the melody gets passed around and it builds. It ends with a finale tooting quite loud. No. 6 is a bit more elegant. It starts out a bit softer and there’s a big finish. But it’s still very stately.”
St. Albert United Church is very spacious, providing the opportunity to safely distance if listeners are hesitant about COVID. Ticket sales will be limited to allow for distancing and attendees are encouraged to wear masks.
Doors open at 6:45 p.m. Concert begins at 7:30 p.m. St. Albert United Church is at 20 Green Grove Dr. Tickets are $35 adult, $30 seniors, and $15 students, and are available at www.eventbrite.ca.
