Consortium Aurora Borealis heralds the New Year with ‘Café Paris’, an engaging concert performed by the popular Martin Blanchet Jazz Quintet, whose mellow moods will warm your spirits on a cold winter night! Their presentations delve into many different musical genres, from jazz to classical, with touches of world music. Known for their recognizable jazz arrangements of classic French repertoire, they’ll treat you to an unforgettable evening, recreating the intimate atmosphere of a Parisian café.
Continue reading “MARTIN BLANCHET JAZZ QUINTET: CAFÉ PARIS”AN ELIZABETHAN GARLAND: COURTLY AYRES AND DANCES
Consortium Aurora Borealis is thrilled to revive a long-standing musical tradition, presenting “An Elizabethan Garland”, a costumed, courtly evening of ayres and dance music from the time of Queen Elizabeth I and William Shakespeare! Recorder player Rob Van Wyck, violinist Madonna Lee, harpsichordist Elizabeth Ganiatsos, and soprano Krista Hansen will perform works for instruments and voice by key Elizabethan composers: Thomas Morley, the foremost composer of secular music of that age; the great William Byrd; renowned lutenist John Dowland, noted for his melancholy musical moods; and Thomas Campion, poet, composer and physician, as well as by several other representatives.
Continue reading “AN ELIZABETHAN GARLAND: COURTLY AYRES AND DANCES”FROM VENICE TO VIENNA: BAROQUE STRINGS
We have a splendid Consortium Aurora Borealis concert coming up for you, as we return to our very favourite period of music, the Baroque! People think primarily of Bach, Handel, and Vivaldi, the chief and best-known representatives of the later stages of this period, and we do have a surprise by Vivaldi at the end of our concert. But it is the fascinating earlier years, full of fancy and eloquence, which have captured our imagination as performers on this occasion. We wish to introduce you to the delights of an exciting type of music as a brave new style emerged, with new forms and techniques, moving away from the balanced principles of the Renaissance to the drama and passion of the Baroque. Our musicians are violinists Katie Stevens and William Sirois, cellist Peter Cosbey, and myself on harpsichord, along with violist Patrick Horn, who will play in the last three pieces.
Continue reading “FROM VENICE TO VIENNA: BAROQUE STRINGS”Violinist Gregory Lewis in Concert
Thunder Bay-born violinist Gregory Lewis returns home to perform for us as we of Consortium Aurora Borealis launch our exciting 46th concert season on September 14, at Trinity United Church because of needing to use the wonderful piano there. Performing a diverse program of virtuosity and lyricism, he will be joined by the acclaimed Canadian pianist Paul Williamson. We are most privileged to hear Gregory on a very special instrument, whose three-year use he won through a competition in the late summer of 2023. It’s the gorgeous 1768 “Miller” Gennaro Gagliano violin, generously on loan to him from the Canada Council for the Arts’ Musical Instrument Bank. One year later, the critically-acclaimed Canadian cellist Cameron Crozman was awarded the use of an instrument by the same maker, a Gennaro Gaglianocello from around 1750.
Continue reading “Violinist Gregory Lewis in Concert”The Brilliance of Baroque Organ: Bach and Buxtehude
I have invited our special guest, distinguished Canadian organist Christopher Dawes, to write the blog accompanying the concluding concert of our Consortium Aurora Borealis 45th Season. He will perform the programme “The Brilliance of Baroque Organ: Bach and Buxtehude”, which ties in perfectly with our organization’s desire to promote this particular period. His blog post will give us an interesting overview of what will be heard, with fascinating insights into the composers and the music which will be presented. You may find his bio under “About: Artists” on our website.
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Consortium Aurora Borealis celebrates the flute! Penelope Clarke and Doris Dungan, who for many years made up the Thunder Bay Symphony Orchestra’s flute section, reunite to perform “Fanciful Flutes”, an endearing programme of Baroque and Classic-era solos, duos, and trios, with cellist Peter Cosbey.
Continue reading “Fanciful Flutes”Viva Vivaldi! Vibrant Concerti for Flute, Bassoon and Cello
Be prepared to be dazzled! Consortium Aurora Borealis has crafted a concert programme designed to delight and amaze! “Viva Vivaldi!”, an all-Baroque concert with an Italian theme, shows off the virtuosic dexterity and breadth of expression which the evening’s soloists will deliver.
Continue reading “Viva Vivaldi! Vibrant Concerti for Flute, Bassoon and Cello”Mozart Meets Beethoven
We greet the New Year in style in the company of the immortal composers Mozart and Beethoven, with music written at the very end of the 18th century. Our concert title of “Mozart Meets Beethoven” is very apt. Beethoven visited Vienna in early January 1787 for a few weeks when he was just sixteen and Mozart would just be turning thirty-one.
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Consortium Aurora Borealis has prepared an exciting revised concert programme to offer our audience! The original plan was to present “An Elizabethan Garland: Courtly Ayres and Dances”, to be performed in costume on Saturday, November 18. However, Covid unfortunately struck, so that the original programme has now been rescheduled for Saturday, September 28, 2024, the first available opening.
Continue reading “Music to Delight”Gryphon Trio: Celebrating 30 Years!
Consortium Aurora Borealis is thrilled to present Toronto’s renowned three-time JUNO award-winning Gryphon Trio in concert. Noted for its highly-refined, dynamic performances and superb interpretations, the ensemble enjoys an impressive international reputation. Pianist Jamie Parker, violinist Annalee Patipatanakoon, and cellist Roman Borys will perform a stunning programme
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