September 8, 2005 Source: Brandon University:
http://www.brandonu.ca/news/article.asp?A_ID=811 Turning Point ensemble to introduce dean's series Thu, Sep 8, 2005 BRANDON, MB - On Thursday, September 15th, Vancouver's premiere contemporary music ensemble, Turning Point, will give a free performance at Brandon University that kicks off both the 2005/2006 BU School of Music concert season and the new dean's series. Led by conductor Owen Underhill, the ensemble will present five works by Canadian composer Barbara Pentland (1912-2000). The centrepiece of the program is the performance of Disasters of the Sun (1976), with Judith Forst as soloist. The sharply etched instrumental writing paired with the dramatic poetry of Dorothy Livesay (1909-1996) makes this one of Pentland's seminal compositions. The work of composer and poet shares a radical political edge, tackling issues of oppression and the mysteries of existence. Other works in the program include Eventa (1978) an ensemble work for 8 players, Quintet for Piano and Strings (1983), Five Preludes for Piano (1938), performed by Jane Hayes, and Pentland's brilliant harp solo Commenta (1981) performed by Heidi Krutzen. These works, heard together, make a strong statement for the quality of Pentland's music. Barbara Pentland, who lived in Vancouver from 1949 until her death, is one of the most important trailblazers of Canadian contemporary music in the postwar period. Uncompromising, sometimes controversial, yet expressive and concise, Pentland's music is crying out for performance and reconsideration. Backed by many of the West Coast's top musicians, including Marc Destrubé (violin), Brent Akins (violin), Yariv Aloni (viola) and Peggy Lee (cello), the Turning Point Ensemble is committed to presenting quality programming and to the performance of outstanding and deserving compositions of the 20th and 21st centuries. Their mandate is to explore these works in an effort to connect more familiar "classical" standards with the less familiar music of today. The ensemble also commissions new compositions in order to build a unique repertoire that clearly demonstrates an organic development of concert music. Don't miss this chance to see the Turning Point Ensemble for free! The concert starts at 8:00 pm in the Lorne Watson Recital Hall, located in the Queen Elizabeth II building at the north end of the Brandon University campus (access from 20th Street.) Here's a sample of what's being said about them: "(Four stars)These sensitive performances confirm what beautiful shimmering music it is." Elissa Poole, The Globe and Mail (on Turning Point's debut recording Strange Sphere) "Owen Underhill has made Vancouver's newest new-music ensemble a marvel of empathetic precision." - Alexander Varty, The Georgia Straight, Vancouver "20th century music's friendlier face." - The Vancouver Sun For more information, please contact: The School of Music
Brandon University
Phone: (204) 727-7388
Email: music@brandonu.ca Kelly Stifora
Communications Officer
Brandon University
Phone: 204-727-9762
Email: communications@brandonu.ca - 30 -
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