In February, we continued our partnership with Mount Royal University’s Conservatory, and performed a concert featuring students of their program. Works that push the boundaries of today’s performance practices and sonic experiences and two world premieres were performed: A Species of Wonder for trio and spatialized strings by Juno Award-winner Allan Gordon Bell and Dragonfly by Michael van der Sloot.
Here's what folks are saying about the show
“The Pre-concert chat gave us lots to think about. Great question re how being Canadian influences your work. Think Allan brought in the idea of landscape and animals. Certainly heard that especially in Allan’s work.
Interestingly, we also went to the Civic Symphony on Sunday where Vince’s piece “Fanciful Birds” was the featured piece (absolutely beautiful; standing ovation from the crowd). But the conductor had sandwiched this between two Finnish composers where we also heard birds in their music. Perhaps since we are both northern countries we have a lot in common.
We appreciated that each of you talked about your work before it was performed. While the music can certainly be enjoyed on its own, think both of us get a lot more out of it if we know where the composer is coming from. Michael, your composition really did give us a feeling of calmness and we could literally see the dragonfly flitting around. Your prologue about a sense of doom resonated with me because I often felt the same way before going back to class, work, etc. Fortunately, once I was actually there it was fine. But being by myself with a view of water and blue sky always has given me a sense of calmness and serenity as it did for you. The music has the same meaning.
Thanks to all of you for the work you do with the students. It was obvious that you have a great relationship with them. They enjoyed themselves so much and we enjoyed them. What a great experience for them all. Mt. Royal is lucky to have many of you as instructors and certainly the coaching that Land’s End gives them.”
-Irene & Walt Deboni
“Earlier this month, it was a privilege for me to experience the premiere of Allan Gordon Bell’s visionary and evocative A Species of Wonder, commissioned and presented by the Land’s End Ensemble in collaboration with Mount Royal Conservatory students. I personally found it very moving to see the students so incredibly invested in the realization of new works created especially for them, and the piece itself was a testament to how extended techniques can capture the hearts and imagination of young musicians! Also premiered on the program, Michael van der Sloot’s stunning work for piano trio entitled Dragonflies. With both works, the audience was utterly transported and spellbound, and I was once again humbled and amazed by the power of live music and live performance, and it is always such a privilege to interact with composers, artists, and the community at concert events.”
-Janna, Regional Director of CMC
“It’s such a wonderful experience to put this concert together and of course extra special to do a world premiere of Allan Bell’s piece written for the MRU students and us.”
-Susanne Ruberg-Gordon, musician, Land’s End Ensemble
