Summer's Come and Gone. Hello, Autumn!

Here I am back in Montreal, after what proved to be an excellent and productive summer! With the academic year now started I'd like to share some of the highlights of the summer.  I enjoyed the opportunity to perform a number of recitals in BC's Okanagan Valley throughout the months of June, and July, which provided me with many things to work on during my practicing time.  It was my immense pleasure to present "Bajo la Palmera" (Under the Palm), a concert featuring music of the Mediterranean, and Latin Americas, alongside pianist Andrew Stoney.  We performed two shows in Salmon Arm, and one in Penticton, to very attentive, and appreciative audiences.  The second program that I prepared was a historic tour of guitar music titled, "The Art of the Guitar".  I gave audiences in Kelowna, and Summerland the chance to hear how composers have approached the instrument, from the four-stringed renaissance guitar, to the modern guitar of the 20th century.  

Being in the Okanagan Valley, seeing the beauty of the mountains, swimming in the lakes, and breathing the air was very inspiring.  It is not too distant in appearance to the hills of Spain, or Italy, so when delving into the music of Tedesco, Sanz, or Sor, the landscape itself seemed to help me express the melodies.  To me at least, there is music that really *desires* to be played in the summer time.  I am sure this can be said about music in other seasons as well, but there is an apparent ease created by the freedom of summer, and by pleasant weather that calls for another Waltz of Barrios, or a Tango of Piazzola!  I took advantage of the natural world around me to .  experience some exciting hikes, and climbs. 

Finally, now that Autumn is fast approaching, and I'm back at McGill continuing my studies, it's time to look forward to the exciting things coming soon.  I am currently hard at work on a transcription of Silvius Weiss' Sonata 25 in G Minor for Lute, which should prove to be an elegant piece for my repertoire.  Later in the month of September, I will be giving a solo recital featuring music by Villa-Lobos, Brouwer, Ponce, and Barrios, for the festivities at Christ Church Anglican Cathedral for Les Journées de la Culture.  Make sure to check out the information for this recital in my events tab, or look at the Cathedral's Facebook event, and calendar for the whole weekend here https://www.facebook.com/events/477048159123816/ . The next day I will also be participating the "L'Oasis Musicale goes to the Movies", which will be an enjoyable performance of some your favourite tunes from the movies! You can see more details for that event here https://www.facebook.com/events/473648899481932/

All in all, although I had a fabulous summer in BC, I am very glad to be back in Montreal.  Look for more blog posts from me soon!

Jonathan

 

Leave a comment