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A few midweek concerts

After having read Steven Mazey's column, a free Monday lunchtime on 27th February and I headed to the NAC Fourth Stage to see University of Ottawa music alumnus Bryan Wagorn. Mr Wagorn, who is currently New York-based (at the Metropolitan Opera), gave a recital as part of the 'UOttawa on the NAC Fourth Stage' series.

On a sunny day it was slightly strange sitting in a very dark space, but for the 25 or so attendees that soon ceased to matter. Wagorn's programme consisted of: J. S Bach's Partita No. 1 in B flat Major, BWV 825; Ravel's Valses nobles et sentimentales; and the suite Mana by 20th century French composer André Jolivet. After the measured-ness of the Bach Partita, the first of Ravel's Valses came as a sharp wake-up! Of the three suites performed the varied and fun Valses were to me most appealing. Jolivet's Mana, as introduced by Wagorn, is a suite of six pieces written for six copper wire dolls. These were all rather different from the Bach and Ravel pieces, albeit very interesting! 'La vache' was for me the most delicate with its poetic melancholy, but I also enjoyed the powerful 'La princesse de Bali'. Wagorn has placed two videos of Mana on Youtube for further reference. 

After this interesting concert, I headed over to City Hall where artist Donna Legault has a really exciting display in the City Hall Art Gallery. Cymatic Imprints is an interactive sound installation wherein microphones pick up sound signals, which are transmitted to speakers. From the speakers hang metal bead ropes, which oscillate with the sound and create patterns in sand. The whole effect was intensely mesmerising and relaxing; it was a lot of fun to walk amongst the hanging beads and hear the effect of one's footfall (or even the sound of people walking around outside and above the room). There is a picture of the installation on the City Hall Art Gallery's website; visiting it in person is highly recommended! This weekend is the final weekend as the show closes on 4th March.

Back to University of Ottawa on Wednesday 29th February for a masterclass by André Laplante. This was my first visit to a masterclass in Freiman Hall and the programmes seemed to be a very nice touch. Due to time constraints I only heard the first 2 full performance/analysis cycles: Ben Nesrallah's performance of Prokofiev's Sonata No. 2 in D Major, Op. 14 (first 2 movements); and Ylan Chu's performance of Ginastera's Three Argentinian Dances. I enjoyed those two performances and may return for Laplante's next masterclass on 2nd April!       
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