Transformations

Program

François Couperin Les Bagatelles (Rondeau) (3 min)

Jenn Mong, piano

William Bolcom Nine New Bagatelles (10 min)

Jenn Mong, piano

Caroline Shaw Cantica delle creature (14 min)

Michelle Bawden, soprano; Jenn Mong, piano; Sonia Hellenbrand violin/violon

- short intermission -

Johann Georg Pisendel Sonata for solo violin I. Largo (3 min)

Sonia Hellenbrand, baroque violin

Leo Purich Ventricle of a Memory (7 min)

Sonia Hellenbrand, baroque violin

Lila Wildy Quillin The Falling Rocket (5 min)

Jenn Mong, piano; Sonia Hellenbrand, violin

Béla Bartók Rhapsody No. 1 (4 min)

Jenn Mong, piano; Sonia Hellenbrand, violin

The theme of this concert is transformation; the transformation of styles, forms, and instruments throughout the centuries to the present day. By connecting various traditions, we hope to offer new approaches to understanding contemporary classical music for the 21st century listener.

At the center of our program is Leo Purich’s piece for baroque violin and electronics, Ventricle of a Memory. Purich's composition converts the Baroque violin, an instrument from 300 years ago, into an entirely different musical style and sound world. Going along with that, we wanted to present a collection of pieces that use similar compositional tools and ways of connecting with the listener. Outlined below is a more in-depth description of each of the pieces and how we will present them in our program.

Biographies

Born and raised in Hamilton, Ontario, soprano Michelle Bawden is currently based in Montréal, after completing a Masters degree in Voice and Opera at the Schulich School of Music under the tutelage of Aline Kutan. In 2021, Michelle completed her BMus in vocal performance from the University of Ottawa studying under Christiane Riel. In 2023, Michelle was a finalist in McGill’s Wirth Vocal Prize as well as the winner of the Voice Category in the Canadian Music Competition. Last season, Michelle performed with Opera McGill as Fiordiligi in An Evening of Mozart Scenes and as Die Mutter in their production of Hänsel und Gretel. Michelle was recently a guest artist with Université de Montreal debuting the role Die Königin der Nacht in their production of Die Zauberflöte. This May, Michelle will be performing selected works by Mozart with the Festival Classica. Michelle was recently selected as a semi-finalist in the prestigious Prix d’Europe competition where she will perform in June.

Jenn Mong is a pianist, improviser, and educator based in Montréal, primarily involved in the performance of contemporary works on the concert stage and collaboration with composers to create and premiere new works. Jenn has performed locally in Montréal as well as at the DiMenna Centre in Manhattan, NY, the Darmstadt International Summer Courses in Darmstadt, Germany, the Composers Conference in Boston, MA, and the Ent Center for the Arts in Colorado Springs, CO, playing works ranging from solo contemporary repertoire, to experimental audiovisual installations and multimedia operas involving light design, movement and dance, and live electronics.

Sonia Hellenbrand is a German violinist currently based in Montréal as a performer and teacher. She studied with Yehonatan Berick at the University of Ottawa and earned a Master’s degree in music at McGill University. In the course of her studies, she participated in masterclasses with artists such as James Ehnes and Rachel Barton-Pine. She performed with the National Arts Centre Orchestra, the Orchestre Symphonique de la Côte-Nord, and the Orchestre Philharmonique du Québec. Sonia was featured as a soloist with the Vivaldi Young Philharmonics Berlin and the McGill Baroque Orchestra. As a chamber musician she participated in festivals across Canada and Europe, including Scotia Festival of Music and NYO Chamberfest. In Montreal, Sonia organizes contemporary music concerts and is featured in concert series such as Oasis Musicale. She values community-oriented work - she teaches at the EncoreSistema program, and is an artist with SAMS performing in hospitals and long-term care homes.

You must have a valid membership to Dissonances Studio to attend. This event is offered to studio members only.

Parking at the back of building for 10$ the evening.

Tickets are non-refundable but can be transferred to another member of the studio (with valid membership).