Continuing the cultural events circuit

Different Embassy, similar theme.... On Friday M and I attended the regular Arts Cafe hosted by the Austrian Embassy/Austrian Cultural Forum here in Ottawa. Still on a musical theme, the Cafe of 25th March was promoting 25-year old Austrian pianist Stefan Stroissnig and celebrating the bicentenary of Liszt's birth.

For a first taster of the Austrian 'circuit', this was promising: a very good turnout (though rather older on average than audiences at recent NAC events -I do find that slightly depressing) at U Ottawa's Tabaret Hall, though sadly no wine! Stroissnig's programme was as follows:

Liszt 'Bénédiction de dieu dans la solitude (Harmonies poétiques et religieuses)' S173/3
Brahms: Sonata No 2 in F sharp minor
Friedrich Cerha: Netzwerk-Fantasie
Schubert: Sonata in D major, D850 'Gasteiner'

The curiosity was the piece by Cerha, a contemporary Austrian composer. Neither of us were really enamoured with the piece, couldn't really engage with it. The rest of the programme, whilst being more 'typical', was a clean and polished performance.

From the Embassy's site, it seems many of the Arts Cafe performers are recipients of Austrian radio Ö1's Pasticcio Prize. On the basis of Friday's concert, it's certainly worth investigating further Arts Cafe events.

Up next? Spring is nearly here and there are gig listings galore. I am tempted by a few, amongst others, from the NAC-sponsored Prairie Scene festival.

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