KERSON LEONG, VIOLIN
He performs: July 5, 5 p.m., First Baptist Church.
With pianist Philip Chiu, Ottawa violinist Leong, 18, will perform showpieces by Brahms, Debussy, Kreisler, Ravel and others.
Leong would like to hear: Tribute to Morten Lauridsen (July 12, 7:30 p.m., St. Joseph’s Church). American composer Lauridsen, whose choral works are performed around the world, will conduct at this concert, involving singers from 10 Ottawa choirs. Pieces include O Magnum Mysterium.
“I’ve always loved the ethereal quality of choir music. The first piece I heard of his was O Magnum Mysterium, which remains one of my favourites, as it is such a serene piece of music. This concert would be a great way to discover more.”
Music of India: sitarist Irshad Khan (July 6, 2 p.m., DominionChalmers Church)
“Experiencing and exploring music from other cultures is one of my great passions, so this seems like a great opportunity.”
JAN JARVLEPP, COMPOSER
His concert: July 13, 4:30 p.m., Dominion-Chalmers Church
Pieces by Ottawa composer Jarvlepp, whose music has been performed internationally. Includes Jarvlepp’s Quintet 2000 for Celesta and String Quartet as well as a 1994 piece for flute, violin, double bass, piano and percussion and the premiere of Jarvlepp’s Trio No. 3. Jarvlepp would like to hear: Trio Fibonacci (July 10, noon, DominionChalmers Church)
Music of Manuel Ponce, Allan Gordon Bell and Maxime McKinley.
“I am interested in hearing Trio Fibonacci, whom I have never heard and are playing special repertoire. My interest is stimulated by the fact that I have composed a trio which is being premiered in my concert. Since the early 20th century and works of Shostakovich and Ives, no new trio has been accepted into the standard repertoire. It’s interesting to see where the trio world stands today as they see it.”
SEAN MICHAELS, WRITER
He performs: Music and Literature: July 14, 7:30 p.m., Southminster United Church.
Late last year, the $100,000 Scotiabank Giller Prize, Canada’s most lucrative literary prize, went to Michaels for Us Conductors, inspired by the life of Lev Termin, inventor of the electronic instrument known as the theremin.
Michaels will read selections. Dutch thereminist Thorwald Jorgensen and other musicians will perform music by Rozsa, Martinu, Rachmaninov and others.
“My entire U.S. book tour consisted of bookstore readings accompanied by local theremin players. But it’s exceptionally rare to do an event alongside a thereminist of Thorwald’s calibre. He’s truly world class. I’ve never seen him play live, and I’m deeply honoured to be sharing some of my text alongside his music.” Michaels would like to hear: Tribute to Morten Lauridsen (July 12, 7:30 p.m., St. Joseph’s Church)
“I’m thrilled by the very fact of this concert, that one of my favourite contemporary composers will be there, and that we’ll have the chance to hear a full programme of his gorgeous, devastating, yearning choral works. ”
YANNICK-MURIEL NOAH, SOPRANO
She performs: July 16, 7:30 p.m., Dominion-Chalmers Church
Pieces include Berlioz’s Les Nuits d’été; Richard Strauss’s Four Last Songs and composer John Greer’s The Grooks Songbook, written for Noah. Noah would like to hear: Pianist Chilly Gonzales (July 12, 7:30 p.m., Dominion-Chalmers Church)
“I would love to see Chilly, mainly because I am fascinated by the concept of crossovers, especially when they can mix different musical genres and still keep the beauty and integrity of each individual style. Chilly Gonzales is new to me, but the description of how he combines styles seems right up my alley. There are no disciplines that exist in a vacuum. I believe we are meant to create, mix and explore the possibilities, especially if it is done with insight. I would love to see what Chilly has to offer.”
Music and Health: A Musician and her Surgeon. (July 12 at 3 p.m. at All Saints Anglican Church in Westboro.)
Canadian violinist Anne Robert with pianist Dr. Alain Gagnon, who was Robert’s surgeon. The concert will include pieces by Mozart, Bach and others tracing Robert’s battle with cancer.
“Every day, we see what people do for a living, but not necessarily what they do to celebrate life,” says Noah.
WALLIS GIUNTA, MEZZO SOPRANO
She performs: July 9, 7:30 p.m., Southminster United Church, with pianist Peter Dugan and guitarist Marley Giunta.
The concert includes art songs and arias from the male perspective and then the female perspective. Music by Strauss, Barber, Montsalvatge, Vaughan William, and others.
Giunta would like to hear: Guitarist Jason Vieaux (July 7, 7:30 p.m., Dominion-Chalmers Church).
Music by Bach, Pat Metheny, others. “I would love to attend the concert by Jason. We collaborated on one of my favourite recital programs a few years ago, and I have been longing ever since to hear him perform on his own, without me wailing away beside him. Jason is a phenomenal artist, a technical wizard on his guitar, and also a very funny guy. Do not miss him.”
KEVIN MALLON, CONDUCTOR
He’s performing: Mallon is conducting Ottawa’s Thirteen Strings in concerts July 13 and 15, both at Dominion Chalmers Church at 7:30 p.m.
The concert on July 13 includes a recent commission of a saxophone concerto by Peter Anthony Togni, with Toronto saxophonist Mike Murley as soloist.
The July 15 concert has a Russian theme, with Tchaikovsky’s Serenade for Strings and Shostakovich’s Concerto no. 1 with pianist Jean Desmarais and trumpeter Karen Donnelly.
Mallon would like to hear: Us Conductors: Music and Literature (July 14, 7:30 p.m., Southminster United Church)
With writer Sean Michaels reading from his novel Us Conductors and performances by Thorwald Jorgensen on theremin, the instrument that inspired the novel. Music by Rachmaninov and others.
Mallon says this is on his list because he’s “read the book and because such an innovative concert is the very essence of the Music and Beyond Festival.”
DANIEL BOLSHOY, CLASSICAL GUITARIST
He’s playing: July 15, 2 p.m., St. Barnabas Church. Solo concert. Music by Mertz, Rodrigo, others.
July 16, 11:30 a.m., Tabaret Hall. With violinist Jasper Wood. Music from Spain, Argentina, Hungary and Brazil. July 16, 6 p.m. Music and Dining: Farm to Table. Saunders Farm. Also with violinist Jasper Wood. (This concert includes a meal and requires an additional ticket). Music from Spain, Argentina, Hungary and Brazil.
Bolshoy would like to hear: Guitarist Jason Vieaux (July 7 at 7:30 p.m., Dominion-Chalmers Church). “Jason plays some of the all-time hits of the guitar, a great program if you wanted to hear a guitar recital for the first time. He also includes a piece by the great jazz guitarist Pat Metheny, which he arranged in a classical style. It should be a delightful program, played by a wonderful guitarist... Jason also happens to be a very nice person, and this comes across in his artistry.”