Sep 2010 Newsletter - Saskatchewan Orchestral Association

SOA September 2010 Newsletter
Saskatchewan Orchestral
Association, Inc.
NEWSLETTER
Inside this issue:
President’s message
1-2
SOA CD compilation
2
SK Music Conference
3
SMFA award winners
4
Prince Albert Strings
4
SOA Conducting Workshop
5
Moose Jaw Youth
Strings Orchestra
5
Regina Strings Workshop
6
South SK Youth Orchestra
7
Regina Mandolin Orchestra
8
September 2010
President’s Message September 2010 - Hugh Wood
Welcome to all new and continuing members of the Saskatchewan
Orchestral Association.
The SOA is an organization dedicated “ to support, encourage, inspire and
educate the orchestral community and people of Saskatchewan in an effort
to nourish and create a vital and sustainable arts & culture community in
this province”. We are currently a valid Provincial Cultural Organization
(PCO) and as such apply for, and receive, provincial Lottery Funds to
support our training programs, and support our member groups in their own
string and orchestral activities. This year our funding level from lotteries is
about $100,000 and we utilize all of those funds, and this year also an extra
$12,000 from reserves, to support our members. For most groups this
results in a return of about $5 to your program for each $1 of membership
fees so membership is an excellent investment for you!
Our volunteer Board is preparing to review your new applications for
funding that are due November 1 so please have those ready in time so we
can divide up the resources and get your cheques out as soon as
Saskatoon Youth Or8
possible. We have some new member groups this year and are always
chestra
seeking more so we can spread our support across the province. We
Suzuki Summer Strings 9
especially wish to identify active strings teachers and orchestral group
leaders around the province so we can support these activities and build a
Sawa, SSO, SCPS & SNM 10-11 stronger orchestral community. Our provincial funding is proportional to the
dynamic activity we can generate across the province in fulfilling our
mandate quoted above.
SOA info
12
SOA acknowledges the
generous support of:
As we have described in several previous newsletters, and in membership
meetings, that the SOA, and many other organizations funded through
lotteries, have been through an extensive review and analysis by
SaskCulture. SaskCulture is the organization charged with controlling and
administering the lottery funds distributed to cultural groups, and ultimately,
determining if each group is eligible for funding. These reviews over the
past few years have identified a number of changes that are being made to
the funding of cultural groups. One interesting example is Heritage where,
in 2008, “SaskCulture initiated the Heritage Community Consultation to
build an integrated framework for a new umbrella heritage organization to
provide leadership and collaborative development for Saskatchewan”. That
new organization, Heritage Saskatchewan, is now in place and operating
with a unified voice, funding, and a new direction for heritage issues and
opportunities across the province. SaskCulture sees substantial opportunity
for change and growth within the 5 music PCOs as well and is assisting us
in coming together to form a more unified organization that can promote
SOA September 2010 Newsletter 2
and advocate for music in the province. This is a multiyear project and we are only at the beginning, so we
have a good opportunity to hear your voices and opinions about what you would like to see in a new
organization---what is important to you?
Funding, Advocacy, Training, Performance, Efficiency,
Communication, Access, Diversity, ??? Please think about these issues and when you see a member survey
coming around, please give us your best response so we can design the best possible organization for the
future. Change is not bad; it is just stressful and difficult to get through, but if the change has been well
designed, it leads to a better future.
There has been another change about which you should be aware. Recently, “Sport, Culture and Recreation
Districts have been established in Saskatchewan to assist community sport, culture and recreation leaders
and those who are seeking information on participation or program opportunities. The mandate of the Districts
is to focus on facilitating community development and coordinating networks within their district, with the aim
of enhancing access to sport, culture and recreation programs and services in the province”. Nine such
Districts have been created and they each receive substantial funding from SaskCulture (about 30% of their
funding) with a definite mandate to include culture activities, such as music, along with sports and recreation
in their regions. So there is a real opportunity for you, as music groups, to work and cooperate with the SCR
Districts to promote and build your cultural activities. This is a new direction for Sport and Recreation but the
mandate, and SaskCulture funding, is clearly there to include and promote cultural activities as well. Please
see the SCR Districts website for details on contact information in each region.
Thank you for your continued support, and have a great year of music.
An SOA CD compilation . . .
Submit a copy of a recent recording of your SOA member group . .
The SOA would like each member group to submit one recording of approximately 5 minutes
recorded during the past 12 months.
The individual recordings will be compiled onto one CD to be used to promote the groups
and the SOA.
Approximately 200 copies of the recording will be made.
Each group will receive 10 copies of the CD at no charge.
made available at cost.
Additional copies will be
The recording should be made in stereo with the best possible equipment. The complete
name of the recorded music along with the names of the composer and arranger should accompany the recording as well as a list of performers. These lists should be sent as a
Word
file to [email protected].
The recordings should be in one of the following formats:

Mp3 or

Sound Designer II or

WAVE or

AIFF.
Arrangements can be made to have the recording received via the internet. The deadline
for receipt of the recordings is February 1, 2011.
Any groups who will participate should send an expression of interest in participating
to Wayne Toews at [email protected] by November 2, 2010.
SOA September 2010 Newsletter 3
Consider attending the conference: more information is available at www.saskmusic.ca
Highlights for the SOA include:

Conducting workshops with Wayne Toews

Bowing skills workshop with Leanne Zacharias and the Brandon University Orchestra

Honour Orchestra Concert
And new for 2010 a Parent workshop . . . My child loves music; how can I help?
 a presentation in conjunction with the Saskatchewan Music Conference to empower parents to maximize the benefits of their child's music education
When:
2:40 p.m. Saturday November 6, 2010 (before the Honour Groups concert)
Where:
Circle Drive Alliance Church, 3035 Preston Avenue, Saskatoon, SK
Free admission to this presentation. Everyone is welcome.
SOA September 2010 Newsletter 4
Congratulations
to SOA Award Winners
in the 2010 Saskatchewan Music Festival!
Location
Beginner
Elementary
Junior
Intermediate
Senior
Battlefords
Victoria Mahmood
Victoria Mahmood
no award
Zaide Masich
no award
Humboldt
Faith Schuler
no award
Avery Dillabough
no award
no award
Melfort
Angela Hoffman
Harley Edin
Bethany Helm
Brina Rempel
Emily Tatrynovich
Moose Jaw
Ashlynn Adam
Samantha Karn
Cambina Brisbin
Emily Karn
Alana Karn
Naicam
Olivia Stephaniuk
Nicole
Stephaniuk
Katelyn Gaetz
Silken HandfordPerronnet
Elyse Alsbach
Nipawin
Connor Clapson
Anna Edwards
Anna Edwards
Antoine Garez
Francois Garez
Prince Albert
Brea Howden
Keanna Georget
D.J. Gaudet
Shuvani Arsiradam
Kevin Siemens
Swift Current
Amanda Thoreson
Alishia Beach
Esther Derksen
Rachel Dueck
No award
Yorkton
Alex Cottenie
Mikaela Ortynski
no award
NevaleaTkachuk
no award
Thank you to the local festival committees who administer the awards!
Awards at the beginner and elementary levels are $25 cheques; junior, intermediate and senior level awards
are $150 vouchers to attend SOA sponsored string workshops/camps.
SOA Sponsored workshops included the following for 2010:
- Moose Jaw Fiddle Workshop
- Saskatoon Suzuki Summer Strings Experience
- Tisdale Spring workshop or Tisdale Fall Workshop
- SOA Chamber Orchestra workshop (Saskatoon)
- Regina Summer Strings Workshop
- Swift Current Strings Fiddle Workshop
Prince Albert Strings Orchestra
Submitted by D. Bernier
Hello from Prince Albert Strings Orchestra. We are looking forward to starting a new season.
Half a dozen of our members (grade 12 students) have graduated and moved from P.A., so I have been on a
serious recruiting mission. We expect to see almost a dozen new faces, in addition to our regular members
from Melfort, Saskatoon, Shellbrook, Bellevue, and P.A.
We will be performing in the community of Shellbrook on Oct. 21, Prince Albert Kiwanis Music Festival on
March 3, and our Annual Spring Concert in April.
Best wishes to all of our fellow SOA groups who are currently preparing for the new season.
SOA September 2010 Newsletter 5
Photo submitted by W. Toews
Moose Jaw Youth String Orchestra
Submitted by A. Riches
We all share a philosophy that learning to play a musical instrument should be enjoyable as well as
educational. We know that an inspired student is more inclined to play and practice their instrument.
While the backbone of Moose Youth String Orchestra lesson is learning to read music and play with
the orchestra, our modern teaching approach balances traditional fundamentals with complimentary
studies that nurture our student’s artistic, creative relationship with their instrument. Music lessons
encompass numerous elements of music education including note reading, music theory, scales and
chords, ear training, improvisation and more. Lesson content also spans musical studies that nurture
our student’s artistic, creative relationship with their instrument. We are the only program for children in Moose Jaw concentrated on orchestral training. The program provides orchestral experience,
training and encouragement while promoting and developing skills and knowledge in string techniques. For more information please visit our website at www.mjyso.com
I also wanted to share that we've recently moved into a new facility located at 436 Langdon Cres
Moose Jaw. Our new location is a fantastic older home filled with original wood fixtures making for
amazing acoustics both for the orchestras and private lessons that parent's can enjoy as they relax
in our 'parent lounge'. We've nicknamed it The Post (sound post) being that we are string groups.
Our new location is great but even more exciting this year are the programs being offered from beginner to senior orchestras and private lessons making the 2010-2011 season of the MJYSO event
more spectacular than ever.
Feel free to come and check us out!
SOA September 2010 Newsletter 6
Regina Summer String Workshop Gets Rave Reviews
Submitted by V. Wilkinson & B. Fitzpatrick
For a group of 36 string students the week of July 5 – 9th, 2010, was an especially
exciting one. The kids, ranging in age from 8- 16 were all involved in a unique summer music camp for young
string musicians, held at Regina's Westminster United Church.
The youth were given a rare opportunity to work with accomplished musicians from across North America,
enabling them to enhance their musical technique and performance skills.
Workshop instructors included: Thomas Cosbey,violin, Concertmaster Thunder Bay Symphony Orchestra;
Marilyn de Oliveira, cello, Assistant Principal, Oregon Symphony; Jonathan Ward, viola, Principal, Regina
Symphony Orchestra; Curtis Scheschuk, bass, Regina Symphony Orchestra; Michelle Zapf – Belanger, violin,
Thunder Bay Symphony Orchestra; Peter Cosbey, cello, Annex Quartet; Canadian Opera Orchestra; Katherine Dowling, piano, artist in residence, the Banff Centre; and Mariko Kamachi, piano, Alicier Arts chamber
music series and Grace Trio.
Students received both one-on-one and group instruction throughout the week. They also took part in age
appropriate quartets, junior and senior orchestras, and a full workshop orchestra which included all 36 student participants. In addition they each performed in a daily student solo recital, and were treated to a short
performance by faculty members each day. Students all participated in a public performance on the final day
of the workshop.
The workshop faculty also hosted a full public performance of their work on July 8th , giving the students a
special opportunity to view their instructors as performers. The event drew an audience of nearly 150 community members.
But the camp wasn't all work – the students spent breaks playing games, both inside and outside the church,
enjoyed delicious home baked snacks and spent a wonderful afternoon bonding with their musical partners in
the Wascana Pool.
Both instructors and students left the workshop saying it was a huge success. The majority of both groups
are planning to return next year. As a result the Regina Summer Strings Organizing Committee has already
begun planning for the 2011 Regina Summer Strings Workshop. For the 2011 year the organizing committee
would like to incorporate additional training opportunities with guest artists. The committee will be working
throughout the year to access funds that would enable it to provide this opportunity in the 2011season.
The 2010 Regina Summer Strings Workshop was produced by an organizing committee of local residents.
Funding for the workshop came through student registrations, a grant from the SOA, as well as support from
the Saskatchewan Lotteries Foundation and the Saskatchewan Arts Board. The workshop also received inkind sponsorship from a number of other Regina organizations. The organizing committee spent significant
effort in accessing sponsorships from local organizations, as a result the committee was able to run the workshop without incurring any losses. All sponsors were recognized on the Regina Summer Strings website, in
both the student and faculty public concerts, and by the Master of Ceremonies at each of the concerts.
It was a successful event on a number of fronts. The workshop provided a wonderful learning opportunity for
36 young string players. Workshop instructors were able to provide the musical training in a fun environment
for the youth. Youth participants left the workshop feeling like they had learned a great deal and had fun doing it. Workshop instructors also said they really enjoyed the experience and would like to return to teach at
the workshop in 2011.
SOA September 2010 Newsletter 7
South Saskatchewan Youth Orchestra
Submitted by N. Salway
The South Saskatchewan Youth Orchestra finished its 2009-2010 season with a concert at Knox-Metropolitan Church in
Regina on June 13, 2010. An enthusiastic crowd of 400 was in attendance to hear works by Nicolai, GreifenhagenMcLeod, Elgar, and
Beethoven.
A highlight of the evening was the Concerto
for cello and orchestra
in E-minor by Elgar.
The soloist was Karla
Hillis, winner of the
inaugural SSYO concerto competition.
Also featured on the
program was the world
premiere of Piece
d’Horreur, by orchestra members Jakob
Griefenhagen and
Jesse McLeod. Jakob
is a clarinetist with the
SSYO and Jesse is a
violinist.
x Met Concert II:
In August, orchestra
SSYO at Knox-Metropolitan United Church following their year end concert on June 13.
members assisted the
Regina Symphony Orchestra by staffing the Musical Petting Zoo at the RSO Symphony Under the Sky. SSYO musicians helped enthusiastic young children try out violins supplied by Long and McQuade. The event was well received
and the orchestra may have planted some seeds for new members in the future.
The 2010-2011 season will mark the 34th year of the SSYO, a testament to the talent of these young musicians. This season is also the 23rd year under the superb leadership of Artistic Director and Conductor, Alan Denike. Under Alan‟s leadership, the SSYO has attained a measure of maturity and musical excellence that is the envy of many communities. As
an indication of this high standard, the Orchestra has been invited again to perform with the Regina Symphony Orchestra
on March 12, 2011.
The SSYO has also been invited to return to the youth orchestra workshop in Banff in November of 2010. At this workshop, the musicians will
meet with the musicians of the Calgary and Edmonton Youth Orchestras
which should prove to be fun as well as challenging.
SSYO at petting zoo:
SSYO violist Geena Salway helps a future orchestra member try out a violin at the musical
petting zoo held during the RSO Symphony
Under the Sky event on August 22.
The Year End Concert on June 12, 2011 will be a very exciting conclusion to the year as it will feature the winner of the SSYO‟s 2010 concerto
competition, violinist Jessica Ramsay. This final performance will be preceded by two wonderful performances and significant fund-raising events
that provide the Orchestra with a chance to perform in a concert. These
events are the annual Christmas Brunch concert on December 19, 2010 at
the Conexus Arts Centre and the Spring Fête concert on April 2, 2011.
These concerts always provide a lively atmosphere and a great opportunity for the Orchestra to showcase what they have learned.
For more information on the SSYO, see our website, www.ssyo.ca.
SOA September 2010 Newsletter 8
Music for Mary
Submitted by D.Koch
The Regina Mandolin Orchestra
began its 2010-2011 season in a
very special way on Saturday, September 11th, as they played a tribute concert for Mary Davies of
Moose Jaw. Mary was a former
long-time member of the orchestra
who recently passed away, and the memorial concert was arranged for by
Mary’s family. The orchestra filled the wonderful Mae
Wilson Theatre in Moose Jaw with the music of some of
Mary’s favourite tunes and with some touching stories
about Mary and her husband George.
The orchestra is looking forward to a busy and rewarding season, with two concerts planned as well as several invitational performances. They rehearse every Saturday morning at Wascana Rehabilitation Centre, 2180
23rd Avenue, Regina. The mandolin teaching program is
going strong, and increased its membership by adding
eight new students this year. Lessons are held at 9:30 a.m.
on Saturdays at Wascana Rehabilitation Centre. New students are welcome at anytime.
For more information about lessons call Kerry at 761-1564.
Saskatoon Youth Orchestra
Submitted by R. Carnegie
The Saskatoon Youth Orchestra begins the season in its new location at the University of Saskatchewan thanks
to a partnership with the University of Saskatchewan Department of Music. Parents and players are thrilled
with the new time and location and the SYO has a robust membership of 64 players with more auditions
scheduled. The Saskatoon Strings, directed by Bernadette Wilson, welcomed new members and has 23 players.
Plans for the 2010-11 season include a trip to Banff, AB for the Alberta Youth Orchestra Symposium, work
with professional guest conductors, opportunities for SYO players to conduct the orchestra, a performance of
Wagner‟s Prelude to Die Meistersinger with the Saskatoon Symphony Orchestra and a full and exciting concert season.
Plans are also under way for a trip in 2011-12 to visit the University of Brandon and collaboration with the
University Orchestra.
SOA September 2010 Newsletter 9
Summer String Experience 2010
Submitted by J. Payzant
By all accounts the Summer String Experience was a success. It was held in the Education Building at the University of Saskatchewan, and ran from July 4-9.
We had 76 students enrolled this year. Of those, 26 were beginners. We had a staff of 10 and a support staff of three teenagers. Seven of the staff were the teachers in the Saskatoon Suzuki String Program. In addition, we were fortunate that David
Bindle returned to do percussion (Exotic Beats), and Sheryl Salen returned to teach music and movement (New Grooves). We
were also fortunate that our guest clinician Lynda Busch could return. Lynda is a violinist and teaches music at Bishop
Strachan School in Toronto. Lynda conducts school orchestras at BSS. Lynda also was a Suzuki teacher and Director of our
Suzuki program many years ago.
Over the past several years we have found it helpful to have a unifying theme. The theme this year was Great Explorations,
which explains the titles of Sheryl and David's classes. The theme was also reflected in the fourth period elective activities,
which included Shrunken Heads, Global Passports, Polar Magnets, Origami Adventures and Wilderness Twig Weaving. The
orchestras and string quartets also had names that reflected the theme. Much of the music in the final concert was also based
on the Great Explorations theme.
We have developed the structure of the Summer String Experience over the years so that it is a turnkey operation, like MacDonalds or Starbucks. That, combined with the dedication of the teaching staff & helpers and support from the SOA, seems to
make for a successful camp.
As usual, we had four programs running concurrently. They were the Beginner, Half-Day, Full Day and Sinfonia programs.
They covered the entire range of levels from beginners, some younger than 3 years old, to more advanced students in the Sinfonia Program.
Our routine classes were from Monday, July 5 until Thursday, July 8. On Sunday, July 4 we had our orientation. This began
with the distribution of registration packages and SSE T-shirts, and was followed by an assembly where the staff and SSE
were introduced. Afterwards, there was a class or orchestra practice for everyone to kick off the week. Friday morning was
dedicated to preparing for the Final Concert, which was held Friday evening.
Classes included large group classes, small group classes, New Moves, Exotic Beats and the fourth period electives. In addition to the crafts mentioned above, they also included Phils Physical Phun. The Full Day students had orchestra and sectionals in the afternoon. The Sinfonia students did not have fourth period electives. Instead, they had two string quartet coachings
and a string quartet practice every day.
Two of our teenage helpers, Jeremy and Merike, provided activities for the children over the lunch hour, which included a
treasure hunt.
Tuesday evening we had an ice cream social in the Ed. Bldg. lobby. It was accompanied by an auction and garage-style sale
for a fundraiser. The other special activity was the Thursday staff concert over the lunch hour.
The students really came through for the final concert, and put on a grand performance. The concert followed the same format
as in prior years, beginning with a beginners demonstration. Next the orchestras played, conducted by Lynda Busch. We had
two, the Ancient Ruins and the Great Explorations orchestras. As the concert program indicates, they played some stirring
music based on our explorer theme. The two string quartets also played their numbers. The violins and viola / cellos played
selections from the Suzuki repertoire, followed by the Grand Finale. This year it was The Lion Sleeps Tonight. Everyone
else played while the beginners danced, led by Sheryl Salen.
The feedback we received, both verbal and the small amount we received from an email survey, was all very positive. Some
parents even wanted a Summer String Experience every two months, as the children learned so much in such a short time.
On behalf of the participating families and the Saskatoon Suzuki String Program, I would like to thank the Saskatchewan Orchestral Association for its ongoing support, without which the Summer String Experience would not have been possible.
SOA September 2010 Newsletter 10
Sawa, the SSO, SCPS, and Saskatchewan New Music
October-November 2010
Submitted by M. Pishney-Floyd
The Saskatoon Symphony Orchestra (SSO) is taking on a new look under the baton of Victor Sawa. This is good news to
the Saskatoon Composers‟ Performance Society (SCPS), which, since its founding in 1997 has presented nearly 100
concerts featuring and promoting music by locally-based composers of contemporary concert classical music. Why? Because for several years now the Regina Symphony Orchestra (RSO) has regularly presented far more works of Saskatchewan-based composers than the SSO. This has been true for the orchestra per se, but also for its offspring: chamber
groups, and so forth. Of course, many of the composers featured were Regina-based composers—it is, after all, the
RSO—but they also did a great job of presenting composers from elsewhere in Saskatchewan, including Saskatoon.
Much of this was because of the enthusiastic and inclusive attitude and approach of Victor Sawa.
Now Sawa is the music director here in Saskatoon, and SCPS is highly pleased because he is a person with, among other
things, a background that includes on-the-ground experience at the famed Tanglewood Festival in Massachusetts, renowned world-wide for its longtime fostering of outstanding contemporary classical music. So the expectations in the
contemporary concert classical community of Saskatoon are high.
The SSO concert—“Feelin‟ Good” is the title—slated for October 9 is an example. Right off the bat, the first concert
begins with a work by a fine young composer and violinist who is actually from Saskatoon. Born, educated, and making
an outstanding career here. That composer is Michael Swan, like Mendelssohn, from a distinguished family of scholars
and musicians. Swan‟s background, rich in classical tradition, shows in both his compositions and his playing. His music
shows a fine command of melody and grasp of both counterpoint and tonal harmonic design. It is always well put together, and carries on from the post-romantic tradition of Gustav Mahler, early Arnold Schoenberg (Verklaerte Nacht)
on the one hand, and Wolfgang Korngold on the other. It goes beyond these traditions, and has its own unique sound and
shape, but never to the point of leaving listeners shaking their heads. It is user-friendly music, and that is meant in the
best sense of the phrase. His new work, Exaltation, will be an exciting beginning of the main series. Michael, though not
officially a member, has had a long association with SCPS, mostly as a violinist.
To backtrack by one day, SCPS will, on October 8 present Ensemble Mujirushi from Edmonton in concert, which is also
a homecoming concert for ensemble member Helen Pridmore, a native of Saskatoon and a graduate of the University of
Saskatchewan music program. Her husband, W.L. Altman, an up-and-coming composer of Canada‟s Avant-Garde contingent, is also a graduate of the U. of S. music program. A work of his will be heard on the October 8 concert. Helen is
the vocal front person for the ensemble, who brings her considerable singing and theatrical skills to Ensemble Mujirushi.
The music to be featured by Ensemble Mujirushi is more or less the antipode to Swan‟s music. His is carefully controlled, well planned, convincingly traditional with a strong sense of direction. By contrast, Ensemble Mujirushi is a
mixed-media, sometimes frenetic mix of live improvisation and computer-generated and manipulated electronic sounds,
visual effects, and many theatrical elements, all of which vary from one performance to the next precisely because it is
largely improvisatory in character. Ensemble Mujirushi eschews traditional concepts of musical architecture as much as
Michael Swan‟s music embraces these very same concepts. Thank goodness we live in a time which has room for both.
The Ensemble Mujirushi concert will take place at Grosvenor Park United Church. It is the first concert in this season‟s
SCPS‟ David L. Kaplan Concert Series, an annual series honouring Dr. Kaplan, certainly very well-known to all associated with SOA.
On November 20th, the internationally acclaimed Monte Keene Pishny-Floyd, another Saskatoon-based composer and
now one of Canada‟s senior composers, will be the focus of the world-premiere of his new work, Rozhraní: Bolestné a
Radostné (“Interface: Sorrow and Joy”), commissioned by the SSO for a special appearance by Viennese-based Elena
Denisova, guest violin soloist , and her husband, Alexei Kornienko, guest conductor. A unique spinoff of this commission is that Pishny-Floyd donated his $10,500 commission fee back to the SSO; in turn, that amount was doubled by the
Remai matching grant campaign, and earlier, when Pishny-Floyd‟s donation was announced at an SSO concert just before intermission, after prolonged applause many audience members, inspired by his generous gesture, came to the fundraising table and themselves made very generous donations. This seems to be a first in Canadian music history!
The SCPS played an indispensable role in bringing Denisova/Kornienko here. In fact, this appearance is testimony to the
international potential of community organizations. Denisova and Kornienko (also an extraordinarily gifted pianist) have
SOA September 2010 Newsletter 11
worked closely with INÖK, the Lower Austrian Composers‟ Association. They are Viennese-based, and in turn had connections through international festivals with the Edmonton Composers‟ Concert Society (ECCS, now known as “Tonus
Vivus”). Piotr Grella-Mozejko of ECCS, having heard and been extremely impressed by Denisova/Kornienko (as pianist) at a European festival contacted Dr. Pishny-Floyd of SCPS and Aris Caristathis of the Thunder Bay New Music
group with the proposal that the three community-based groups work with their counterpart in Vienna and co-sponsor
what turned out to be Denisova/Kornienko‟s first western Canadian tour. They performed Pishny-Floyd‟s Sonata for
Violin and Piano in Edmonton and Thunder Bay, and later—in 2008—gave its European Premiere in Vienna. Subsequently, in the summer of 2008, Denisova commissioned Pishny-Floyd to write a work for unaccompanied violin,
“Vanished,” which she premiered that fall in Graz, Austria. In 2009, SCPS was again approached, along with Thunder
Bay, about sponsoring another western Canadian tour of the duo. Denisova/Kornienko performed a second time in
Saskatoon October 29 of 2009, and gave their first performance of Pishny-Floyd‟s Sonata for Violin and Piano, and
Denisova gave the Saskatchewan premiere of his “Vanished” (composed for her). It was as a direct result of that concert
that Maxim Pletnev brokered the appearance of the two with the SSO and Pishny-Floyd‟s commission. By the next day,
October 30, this was, as is said, “a done deal.” Kornienko is also a very fine conductor: he is permanent guest conductor
of the Sophia Philharmonic Orchestra in Sophia, Bulgaria. Earlier this year, while Denisova was giving violin recitals in
such places as the Smithsonian Institute on the east coast, Kornienko toured more than 20 U.S. cities as conductor of the
Moscow Radio Orchestra.
They are also collaborating with Pishny-Floyd in a CD venture, including his sonata and “Vanished,” as well as a beautiful Doina and Freilach by David Kaplan, all of which they recorded in Moscow last December. This will eventually be
put together with works by Bulgarian and Austrian composers.
Pishny-Floyd‟s Rozhrani was composed specifically for Denisova‟s style of playing, and includes quotes from his Violin
and Piano Sonata—that is part of the “interface” of the title. The work is an expression of Pishny-Floyd‟s deepest feelings about various family “interfaces” involving, as most experience in their lives, a mix of “sorrows” and “joys.”
The work is loosely based on the Czech Dumka, best-known from Dvorak‟s Dumky Trio, a type of piece which alternates between slow, melancholic music and fast, joyful, even outrageously exuberant, music. It is a double set of variations, one on a slow tune quoted from the sonata, and the other on a sprightly tune which has more than a little hint of the
traditional Russian Gopak/Ukrainian Hopak, but one that seems at times to try to turn itself into a British concert
march—this symbolizes a major cultural “interface” of Saskatchewan. The violin has a cadenza, non-traditionally located shortly after the beginning (which conceals an augmented quote of the violin sonata‟s slow-movement theme)
which contains most of the melodic material to be used thereafter, and which, if one were to analyze it carefully, even
shows how the different themes are related.
Each of the two parallel sets of variations follows its own course of development, and both come into phase at the high
point of the work. It should be noted that the two are in turn superimposed on an underlying frame work which is a sonata rondo, having attributes of both a rondo and sonata form. Not too long after the climax of the work, there is a brass
chorale with violin embroidery and chimes provided by the vibraphone; this is a quote from Pishny-Floyd‟s 2nd Piano
Sonata of 40 years ago, and at the end of the passage reveals connections (“interfaces”) between thematic material of the
violin sonata and the third movement of his 2nd piano sonata. The work begins on one of the lowest notes available in an
orchestra, in the contra-bassoon, very slowly, and closes with the violin and a light accompaniment sneaking in after a
majestic but deceptive pseudo-ending and skittering away to one of the highest notes in the orchestra, thereby working
its way from deep brooding at the beginning through struggles between emotions of joy and sorrow to utter joy and playfulness at the end.
This work is dedicated to the composer‟s daughters, Amy, Sarah, Laura, and Jennifer as a musical expression of his feelings as a parent about their many “interfaces” with their cultural roots, one another, their own families and children, and
in their own lives, with the fortunate denouement that all have found, as the ending of the work indicates, happiness. The
work has been co-edited by calligraphists Annette Floyd and Shaun Bzdel, both of whom have in their own respective
ways played the indispensable role of keeping the score on track to being and sounding as the composer intended, and
saving hours of rehearsal time through their diligence.
It is hoped these last several paragraphs will be of interest to an audience as they are a general sketch of the genesis, intentions, and meaning of a large work from start to finish as well as some practical circumstances and considerations
surrounding its creation.
SOA September 2010 Newsletter 12
Contact Info
2010 Events Calendar
Saskatchewan Orchestral Association
Oct 9
SSO concert (see p.10)
Saskatoon
Oct 21
P.A. Strings Concert (see p.4)
Shellbrook
Nov 1
Grant applications due (see below)
Nov 2
Recent recording due (see p.2)
Nov 4-6
SK Music Conference (see p.3)
Saskatoon
Nov 4-6
Honour Orchestra
Saskatoon
Nov 7
SOA Special Board meeting
Saskatoon
Nov 21
SOA Regular Board meeting
Regina
Dec 19
SSYO Christmas Concert (p. 7)
Regina
Mar 3
P. A. Strings at Music Festival (p.4) Prince Albert
Mar 12
SSYO with RSO (see p 7)
Regina
Apr 2
SSYO Spring Fete (see p 7)
Regina
Jun 12
SSYO Yr End concert (see p7)
Regina
Grant Applications due November 1st
Grant applications for the following grants are due Nov. 1st:
- Operating Grants
- Project Grants
Kathryn Peters
Administrator
Box 87
Hanley, SK S0G 2E0
Ph: 306-544-2230
Fax: 306-544-2718
[email protected]
www.saskorchestras.com
Newsletter Info
Next newsletter:
Deadline: Nov. 19, 2010
Publication: Nov. 26, 2010
Deadlines
Publications
September 19, 2010
September 26, 2010
November 19, 2010
November 26, 2010
February 1, 2011
February 8, 2011
April 8, 2011
April 15,2011
SOA Board of Directors
President
Hugh Wood
Vice President
Yvonne Redant
Application forms are available on the SOA website under
Secretary
the „Grants‟ section at http://www.saskorchestras.com/grants/
Treasurer
index.php . They can be submitted to the SOA office by
email at [email protected] or fax at 306.544.2718.
Director
A signature on the form needs to be included.
Please contact the SOA office if you have any questions regarding the grants.
Why am I receiving this newsletter?
You are receiving this newsletter because you or someone in your family has
been a member of an orchestral group under the umbrella of the Saskatchewan Orchestral Association in the past year..If you wish to be removed from
our list, please contact Kathryn by phone at 306.544.2230 or email at [email protected]
Birgitta Heidt
Ray Pacholek
Ellen Handford
Director
Chris Harrington
Director
Paddie Hulshof
Director
John Payzant
Director
Curtis Scheschuk
Director
Rudy Sternadel
Director
Magda Szajcz
Director
Wayne Toews