Consortium Aurora Borealis rounds off Season 46 with a concert celebrating divine Mozart, immortal Beethoven, and the soulful viola, which though not often ascending into prominence, is nevertheless worthy of notice. Both composers played the viola, among other instruments, and had a particular fondness for it, as they joined in with it during informal chamber music sessions.
The viola is connected to Consortium in a special way, in that it was my primary instrument for years, the one I first encountered in grade 9 and have played and adored ever since, with its special timbre. Consortium’s decorative-looking logo also presents an interesting connection, being in fact an alto clef, in which most viola music is written.
We present an elegant evening of gorgeous string quintets by the Classical period’s greatest composers. Two violas in the inner voices add extra warmth and richness to the ensemble. We’ll hear key representatives of the Classic and Romantic viola quintet genre. Mozart’s epic, dramatic String Quintet K. 516 in G minor, an example of his finest chamber music, is deeply moving, and is mainly dark and tragic, but with some moves to moments of calm and lyricism. Beethoven’s sublime String Quintet Opus 29 in C major is nicknamed “The Storm”, after the agitated nature of the final movement with its suggestions of thunder and lightning. You’ll hear stormy effects conveyed through the use of tremolo.
Mozart wrote six quintets in this rarer combination of string quartet plus extra viola, a thicker scoring. Beethoven’s was written around the start of the transition between his early and middle periods, at a time when he realized that he was losing his hearing.
Mozart’s fourth viola quintet, composed in 1787, is in a standard four-movement form, framed by an Allegro at beginning and end. The usual positioning of a slow movement and a minuetto are reversed here, with the Adagio appearing as the third movement while being preceded by a Minuet and Trio, marked Allegretto. Also unusual is that the third-moment Adagio leads into a brief Adagio section at the opening of the last movement.
Allegro
Minuetto and Trio: Allegretto
Adagio ma non troppo
Adagio – Allegro
For a full description of Mozart’s K. 516 check out the following on earsense.org:
Beethoven’s C major viola quintet of 1801 is likewise in four movements, the two outer movements being in a quick tempo, commencing with a standard yet moderate Allegro, but he steps up the pace at the end, with a Presto as his final movement. Whereas Mozart’s Adagio movement is simply marked “ma non troppo”, or “not too much”, a mere tempo indication, Beethoven’s has an indication of mood through performing style, “molto espressivo”, very expressive, more in the Romantic vein of a musical marking, for emotional impact.
Allegro moderato
Adagio molto espressivo
Scherzo: Allegro
Presto
You may find a short description of Beethoven’s Op. 29 here:
We’re happy to welcome violist Geena Salway in her first Consortium appearance, as we flaunt ‘Viola Power’! She’ll return next January with the same musicians for more stunning viola quintets, by Mozart and Brahms.
I now break from tradition to say a few words about the artists behind the music.
Violinist Katie Stevens wears several hats! She recently revved up to perform with Martin Blanchet Jazz Quintet’s Café Paris, stating that the jazz groove made her more complete musically. Chiefly known as the TBSO’s Assistant Concertmaster, she’s also lead violinist of Consortium Aurora Borealis, performing concerts from Baroque onwards for a great many years. She deeply loves chamber music, and enjoys dabbling in different musical genres. Katie occasionally finds time to perform with the Winnipeg Symphony and Manitoba Chamber Orchestra, while keeping busy as the mother of three young boys, a very full life!
TBSO violinist William Sirois hails from Normandy, France, and brings a Continental flair to the group. Born into a musical family, he followed the same path. He recently embarked on a financial career as an insurance and financial security advisor, providing musicians, artists, and others with guidance tailored to the unique challenges of their professions. William loves hiking, reading, kickboxing, Muay Thai, playing chess, and riding his motorcycle.
Our concert is dedicated to the warm, ravishing sound of the viola, so here’s a glimpse into our two violists. Patrick Horn, also a violinist, teacher, composer, and arranger, has received numerous commissions, including for Consortium’s 40th Anniversary. His compositions have even been performed by the San Francisco Symphony. Patrick loves the Northwestern Ontario outdoors for hiking, running and foraging, declaring that the local morels wash down nicely with a good Niagara Pinot Grigio!
Regina-born violist Geena Salway joined the TBSO in 2019. Her 2007 introduction to the viola in youth orchestra made her decide to pursue music professionally, enamoured by the instrument’s beautiful, rich sound and versatility. She has played in several Canadian orchestras, and performed in Italy and Slovenia. Geena enjoys baking, visiting cat cafés, and maintaining her Duolingo streak.
Cellist Peter Cosbey’s “virtuosity is apparent with every stroke of his bow” (Echo Germanica). A founding member of the dynamic Annex Quartet, he’s appeared in hundreds of concerts, including at Carnegie Hall, and collaborated with Jane Bunnett to win the 2015 JUNO Award for Jazz Record of the Year. A regular, valued performer with Consortium, he enthralls with his virtuosity, rich tone, and expressive style, recently dazzling the audience with his spectacular performance of Kodály’s monumental unaccompanied cello sonata. In recent years he has taken up being a goatherd on Mount Baldy!
There will be a draw at intermission for a $100 gift basket from Rollason Flowers. Special thanks to The Leishman Family for generously sponsoring this evening’s concert in memory of Dr. Donald Leishman, a faithful concert attendee who loved what we did.
We are delighted to introduce our audience to a pair of monumental viola quintets, written within fourteen years of each other, in this memorable concert of highest artistry. It takes place on the Eve of Mother’s Day, and we invite people to come out and make it a celebration!
We joyously look forward to following it with our 47th Concert Season, and now are able to announce our 2025 – 2026 musical offerings, along with information on how to subscribe. We think there’ll be much to entice you! We rely greatly on our valued subscribers.
Sign up now for a money-saving, completely transferable Season Pass, giving you one free concert, adding convenience, allowing you to enter by the fast-track line, and sparing you from searching for cash at the door. People purchasing their pass by June 30 will be entered in an early-bird draw for a chance at winning a $100 gift card to Bight, courtesy of owner Bianca Garofalo! Pay later if you wish, but order now.
7 exciting concerts for $150; students $90 (no price increase)
To order: Sign up at a concert, call 807 768-7420, speak to Hilda Postenka, or email us at: inquiries@consortiumab.org.
Announcing Our 47th Concert Season: 2025-2026
Artistic Director: Elizabeth Ganiatsos
St. Paul’s United Church, 349 Waverley St., Thunder Bay
All concerts begin at 7:30 PM
Admission at the door: $25; $15 students; 11 & under free
September 6, 2025: Basso Profundo!
Peter Cosbey, cello and Martin Blanchet, double bass are a hit team that will open our 47th concert season as they perform works by Vivaldi, Rossini, Dragonetti, Bottesini, and more. Many of the works have virtuosic elements, as well as lyrical ones, and will exploit the unique timbres and characters of their instruments. It will be a treat to experience a concert built around the lowest sounds of the string family, and yet, they can also rise to higher registers. Come and bend your ears!
September 27, 2025: Clarinet Quintets with Peter Shackleton
Mozart: String Quartet No. 15. in D minor, K. 421
Mozart: Quintet in A major for clarinet and strings, K. 581
Weber: Quintet in B-flat major for clarinet and strings, Op. 34
Peter Shackleton, Principal Clarinettist of the TBSO, will be joined by violinists Katie Stevens and William Sirois, violist Patrick Horn, and cellist Peter Cosbey, as they perform these beloved works, staples of the clarinet repertoire. The evening will begin with the only string quartet written in a minor key from the set of six which Mozart dedicated to Haydn.
November 15, 2025: J. S. Bach and Sons
Flutists Penelope Clarke, Doris Dungan, and cellist Peter Cosbey will be joined by special guest harpsichordist Borys Medicky, to perform solos, duets, and trios by Johann Sebastian Bach and two of his sons, Wilhelm Friedrich Bach and Carl Philipp Emanuel Bach. Included are J. S. Bach’s gorgeous sonata in B minor for flute and obbligato harpsichord, with the keyboard part fully participating in the action, and his Trio Sonata in G major, BWV 1039. Borys Medicky concertizes extensively as harpsichord soloist and chamber musician, and has appeared with all the major early music groups in Ontario.
January 10, 2026: Classic & Romantic String Quintets
We once again may thrill to the rich sound of string quintets scored with two violas. Music by Classic-period Mozart (who wrote six quintets with this lovely combination of instruments) will be followed by a luscious viola quintet from the Romantic era by Brahms. Returning to perform for us are violinists Katie Stevens and William Sirois; violists Patrick Horn and Geena Salway; and cellist Peter Cosbey. Please join us for another evening of elegant string chamber music.
February 21, 2026: Tamarack Wind Quintet
This fine ensemble of musicians from the Thunder Bay Symphony Orchestra will enchant with an intriguing programme in a variety of moods, styles, and influences, including Samuel Barber’s Summer Music, which has become a staple of the wind-quintet repertory. Performing are Heather Kilborn (flute); Gwen Buttemer (oboe); E-Chen Hsu (clarinet); Aviner Hartwick (bassoon); Damian Rivers-Moore (horn).
March 21, 2026: Vivaldi and Locatelli: Venetian Violin Extravagance!
We will delight you with the much-anticipated return of virtuoso violinist Jeremy Bell, appearing for the 16th time with Consortium! He will perform dazzling concerti by Vivaldi & Locatelli, backed by our fine string ensemble, with harpsichord. His rendition of Vivaldi’s technically and musically-demanding concerto “Il Grosso Mogul” will steal the show! He’ll also perform Vivaldi’s vigorous Op. 3, No. 11 with soloists Katie Stevens and Peter Cosbey, and will join our three local violinists in Vivaldi’s Concerto in B minor for four violins, which J. S. Bach later transcribed for four harpsichords and strings.
May 9, 2026: Matt Sellick In Concert, flamenco guitar
We’re thrilled to announce that we have procured charismatic flamenco guitarist
Matt Sellick to close our 47th concert season! Thunder Bay-born, Matt has performed for Consortium twice before, to most enthusiastic audiences. He’ll be joined by Portugal-born percussionist Marito Marques, and will include music drawn from several of his popular albums.
“I think Matt is one of Canada’s finest flamenco artists today.”— Jesse Cook, Canadian guitarist
Be a Subscriber! Enjoy sublime music-making!
Order your Season Pass now. Completely transferable.
Seven exciting concerts for $150; students $90.
Call 807 768-7420, or email us at: inquiries@consortiumab.org
Early Bird Incentive: Subscribe by June 30 and you’ll be entered in draw for a $100 Gift Card to Bight Restaurant & Bar.
Elizabeth Ganiatsos | Artistic Director