"viva Carnival!"

About the composers, continued Astor Piazzolla (1921-1992) was the son of southern Italian immigrants to Argentina. He spent his childhood in New York City, where he was introduced to his signature instrument, the bandoneon (button accordion). Piazzolla’s nuevo tango style is a fresh blend of jazzy elements, dissonances, a circular bass line and contrapuntal dialogue, often drifting into an improvisatory mode, thus allowing each performer to assert their own voice within the ensemble. The sentimental Ave Maria – Tanti Anni Prima (So many years ago) is from Piazzolla’s original score for the 1985 film Enrico IV, based on the play by Luigi Pirandello. Contrastingly, the vibrant Primavera (Spring) impresses with its biting rhythms and intense electricity. This closing piece is part of Piazzolla’s cycle The Four Seasons of Buenos Aires – a fitting end to a winter concert in anticipation of spring’s revival.

About the performers Pavel Markelov, clarinet, holds a Doctor of Music degree from the Tchaikovsky Conservatory in Moscow. He was awarded first prize in clarinet and second prize in conducting at the Russian National Competition. Pavel commands a remarkably versatile repertoire spanning the classical, contemporary, jazz and folk genres. He has performed in the foremost venues of Western Europe, Russia, Ukraine, Canada and Asia with orchestras and chamber ensembles, including the legendary Borodin Quartet. His unique arrangements have enriched the standard clarinet repertoire, from classical masterpieces to more innovative transcriptions of music by North and South American composers. His work can be heard on the CD Soul of Brazil. Pavel is artistic director of an upcoming multi-media production The Four Seasons, featuring instrumental ensemble, artwork and choreography set to the music of Astor Piazzolla. www.myspace.com/pavelmarkelov John Lettieri, accordion, is a music educator and department head of arts at St. Elizabeth Catholic High School in Thornhill, Ontario. His interesting concert career has included appearances at Canadian Music Week, the Beaches International Jazz Festival, Ashkenaz Festival, and the Niagara International Chamber Festival. In 2007, John was

awarded first place in the National Roland Digital Accordion Festival and subsequently represented Canada at the first International Roland Digital Festival in Pessaro, Italy. He was invited to demonstrate for Roland Canada at the annual International Festival held in Montmagny, Quebec. He has performed with such outstanding artists as Robert Michaels, Nick Cuda and David Buchbinder, collaborated on several CD recordings, and has performed for film and television. John is church organist on Sunday mornings at St. Clare of Assisi Catholic Church in Woodbridge. Hamilton native Corey Gemmell, violin, has performed in Canada, the US, Germany and China. Solo appearances with orchestra have included concerti by Brahms, Beethoven and Sibelius. He is concertmaster of Symphony Hamilton, the Scarborough Philharmonic, The Sound of Music at the Princess of Wales Theatre, and associate concertmaster of the Toronto Philharmonia and Esprit Orchestra. He performs with the Toronto Symphony, the Canadian Opera Company and National Ballet orchestras, and is a member of the Mississauga Sinfonietta, toneART Ensemble, Ergo Ensemble and the Elgin String Quartet. He has collaborated on many CD recordings. As an adjudicator, Corey has sat on juries at the University of Western Ontario and in festivals across Canada. He is on faculty at the Royal Conservatory, National Music Camp, Mississauga Youth Orchestra Summer Workshop, and is a member of the Royal Conservatory College of Examiners.

Maria Dolnycky, piano, holds a Master of Music degree from McGill University in Montreal and a Performance Diploma from the State Music Academy in Vienna, Austria. Her principal mentors have been Ljerka Wollmarker-Blume and Walter Fleischmann. As winner of Montreal’s Debut Competition, her solo recitals have been aired on CBC and Radio-Canada. CD recordings include Poetic Moods – a collection of 20th Century composers from Ukraine, and Lullaby for a Snowy Night – a mosaic of holiday music. An active promoter of contemporary music, Maria has premiered works written for her by Valentin Silvestrov and Yuri Ishchenko. A fascination with visual arts led her to the creation of Music on Canvas, a series of unique program concepts, occasionally blending live music with artwork and other media. A dedicated teacher, Maria is a member of the Royal Conservatory College of Examiners. www.mariadolnycky.com

on

anvas

! l a Viva Carniv In collaboration with Istituto Italiano di Cultura

www.iictoronto.esteri.it

Pavel Markelov, clarinet John Lettieri, accordion Corey Gemmell, violin Maria Dolnycky, piano Sunday, February 22, 2009 – 3 pm Toronto Centre for the Arts Studio Theatre

With thanks to our sponsors Istituto Italiano di Cultura (Italian Cultural Institute)

PROGRAM

About the composers

Welcome by Mr. Costanzo Colantonio Meditation on Winter clarinet, piano, accordion

Antonio Vivaldi, Astor Piazzolla Arranged by P. Markelov & J. Lettieri

Carnival of Venice clarinet and piano

Arranged by Paul Jeanjean

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Suite Italienne from Pulcinella violin and piano

Igor Stravinsky Arranged by Samuil Dushkin I - Introduzione — II - Serenata — III -Tarantella IV - Gavotta con due variazioni — V -Scherzino — VI - Menuetto e Finale

A Visit to the Italian Opera and other selections accordion solo medley Arranged by John Lettieri

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INTERMISSION

Next season, “Music on Canvas” will be presenting two unique events:

A Fall Fusion of Colour and Sound

Adagio e Tarantella clarinet and piano

Ernesto Cavallini

Dansa Negra clarinet and piano

Mozart Camargo Guarnieri Arranged by P. Markelov

Congada clarinet and piano

Francisco Mignone Arranged by P. Markelov

The Four Seasons immediately evokes thoughts of Venetian master Antonio Vivaldi (1678-1741), whose tone poems have since been an inspiration to composers worldwide, including Astor Piazzolla. Meditation on Winter is a fusion of the old and the new – the tranquility of Vivaldi’s Largo movement flowing seamlessly into tango-inspired fragments of Piazzolla’s Winter, resulting in a timeless musical experience. The brief, charming Carnival of Venice theme lends itself superbly to variations. Among the most favoured arrangements is that of French composer Paul Jeanjean (1874-1928), primarily known for his brilliant clarinet works. Suite Italienne by Igor Stravinsky (1882-1971) is taken directly from his ballet Pulcinella (Mister Punch), a character from Neapolitan puppetry with origins in 17th Century Commedia dell’arte. There is speculation that this neoclassical work quotes motifs by 18th Century Italian composer Giambattista Pergolesi. Stravinsky chose Venice as his final home and is buried on the nearby island of San Michele. Over the years, his music has been honoured at La Biennale di Venezia. Often dubbed the “Paganini of the clarinet,” Ernesto Cavallini (1807-1874) was a music educator and member of La Scala Orchestra. In 1852 he was invited to St. Petersburg, Russia, to teach and to perform with the Italian Opera Orchestra, a post he held for 15 years before returning to his native Milan.

September 20, 2009 – “Pictures at an Exhibition” Sergey Mushtakoff – balalaika (guest artist from Switzerland) Pavel Markelov – clarinet, Maria Dolnycky – piano

September 27, 2009 – “Fiddler in the Loop” Guest artist: Luca Ciarla, jazz violinist from Italy www.lucaciarla.com Live artwork by Kezia Terracciano Both events at KUMF Art Gallery (Bloor West Village) 2118-A Bloor Street West Visit www.mariadolnycky.com

A Journey around the World accordion solo medley

Arranged by John Lettieri

Ave Maria - Tanti Anni Prima Astor Piazzolla clarinet, piano, accordion Arranged by P. Markelov & J. Lettieri Primavera clarinet, piano, accordion

Astor Piazzolla Arranged by P. Markelov & J. Lettieri

The son of Sicilian immigrants to Brazil, Mozart Camargo Guarnieri (1907-1993) studied in Paris. The sensual Dansa Negra is an earthy piece infused with hypnotic rhythm and intriguing harmonies. Also of Italian heritage, Francisco Mignone (1897-1986) is one of Brazil’s most celebrated composers. A graduate of the Milan Conservatory, he eventually returned to his country of birth to teach in both São Paulo and Rio de Janeiro. His music is noted for its colourful Brazilian folklore and fluid, improvisatory style. Continued on reverse side