2024 Creative Projects

By Natalie Koh

Date: Wednesday, August 7th @ 10:30am

Location: Airdrie Abilities Center

Performers: Natalie Koh, violin | Claire Hebeisen, violin | Syara Robert, viola | Adam Willson, cello | Hyewon Chang, piano

Repertoire: 

• Beethoven: Spring Sonata, I. Allegro (10 minutes)

• Brahms: Violin Sonata No, 1, I. Vivace, ma non troppo (10 minutes)

• Bartok: String Quartet No. 4, IV. Allegretto pizzicato and V. Allegro molto (8 minutes)

• Jessie Montgomery: Rhapsody 1 (7 minutes)

• Bacewicz: Piano Quintet No.1, II. Presto (4 minutes)

• Kelly Tang: Three Folk Dances (9 minutes)

Project Description:

I am hoping that I can promote this program as one that is accessible to all! I believe this program allows one to understand the violin and classical music a bit better, as there is a good mix of music styles. If possible, I would like to talk the audience through the program to allow the audience to better understand my repertoire choices, and show that music can be our voice. The Beethoven would be an opening movement to allow the audience to be introduced into the violin, and also to be introduced to a popular violin-piano sonata. 

This is followed by the Brahms and the Bartok. I would explain how music for some is an expression of their inner feelings. As shown by the Beethoven, one can express their happiness and inner turmoil. More feelings are expressed in the Brahms and the Bartok. For me, the Brahms expresses love, and the Bartok expresses quirkiness and more of that inner turmoil. I would then introduce and play the Jessie Montgomery, an admirable composer of today, and ask for the audience to draw along should they choose to. The Bacewicz is next, with a movement showcasing an interesting Polish dance, and I would explain how the music of some people allows one to better understand their culture/background. I will then round off my program with a string quartet by Singaporean composer Kelly Tang. He is one of most well known composers in Singapore, and his compositions include folk dances that I resonate with and that remind me of home. I hope that this piece would allow people to better understand (even just a little) about where I was born and raised. To allow this to be more accessible, and outdoor venue would be ideal to allow people to come and leave as they wish. It creates a more inviting and less intimidating environment. 

Sensory-friendly toys / equipment could be made available. Coloring/ drawing equipment for the illustration component for the Jessie Montgomery would be helpful too! If there is any way to collaborate with an organisation in Airdrie that could advise on making this event as disability-friendly as possible, and also if they could help spread the word of such an event, that would be perfect.

By Claire Hebeisen

Date: Thursday, August 8th @ 7pm

Location: Airdrie Public Library

Performers: Claire Hebeisen, violin

Repertoire:

• Ysaye, Sonata No. 3, Ballade

• Bach, Partita No. 2 in D minor

• Montgomery, Rhapsody No. 1 for Solo Violin

Project Description:

There is a connection between feelings of loss, grief, openhearted peace, and kindness that I have felt in my experience. I have never known greater appreciation for being alive than in moments surrounded by intense pain. When my heart is broken, I can better see what is inside. This feeling is vividly shared in a poem by Naomi Shihab Nye entitled “Kindness”: 

Before you know kindness as the deepest thing inside, 

you must know sorrow as the other deepest thing. 

All the music in this program expresses these beautiful, painful feelings and each has brought me comfort, catharsis, and peace. 

Throughout this program, I share personal reflections, a reading of Nye’s complete poem, and a short, guided “loving-kindness” meditation in which the audience will be invited to participate. (These meditations are meant to evoke feelings of kindness and love for one’s self and all other beings by active well wishing.) As each audience member arrives, they will receive a slip of paper and pencil and will be invited to share any thoughts, impressions, or reflections as the music comes to a close either verbally or by passing their written thoughts to me. 

The program is appropriate for all ages, but is best suited for teens and adults. I am grateful to the Airdrie Public Library for offering an intimate space where everyone is welcomed to be vulnerable. I wish for my audience to allow themselves to feel what it’s like to be okay not being okay, to give their feelings of loss a warm welcome, and to allow kindness to radiate in their bodies.

By Syara Robert

Date: Wednesday, August 7th @ 2pm

Location: Bethany Airdrie Auditorium (Airdrie Adult Day Program x Bethany Airdrie: Family Olympic Day)

Performers: Syara Robert, viola | Hyewon Chang, Annie Kwok and Tong Wang; piano | Natalie Koh, Claire Hebeisen and Maitreyi Muralidharan; violin | Adam Willson, cello 

Repertoire:

• “Desert Garden” and “Elfentanz” by Florence Price (with Annie Kwok)

• “3 Romances” by Clara Schumann (with Hyewon Chang)

• “Dumka: Duo Concertante” by Rebecca Clarke (with Maitreyi Muralidharan and Tong Wang)

• “Tipoeing” by Viola Szakony (with Hyewon Chang)

• “Romance, Op. 23” by Amy Beach (with Hyewon Chang)

• “Piano Quartet; 2nd Movement” by Luise Adolpha le Beau (with Natalie Koh, Adam Willson and Hyewon Chang)

• “Adoration (arr. for string quartet quartet)” by Florence Price (with Claire Hebeisen, Natalie Koh, and Adam Willson)

• String Quartet in Eb Major; 4th movement by Fanny Mehndesslohn (with Natalie Koh, Claire Hebeisen, and Adam Willson)

Project Description:

The theme of this program of short works, primarily arranged for viola, is to celebrate the positive aspects of the romantic works of women composers and their often-suppressed voices during that time. The related subjects include the desire for exploration and the pursuit of new experiences. Music is a powerful healing force that can transform lives, encourage unity, and inspire love and understanding.

Entitled "Romantic Ambitions: A Woman’s Journey," the program features a variety of romantic works (with the exception of one piece). The selected music is primarily associated with clear and distinct melodies, reflecting the pain and suffering of the women composers who lived during that era, or inspired by a compositional culture dominated by men. Each piece in the concert program showcases unique romantic melodies, offering a slightly different soundscape for each composer, all centered around romance and the characteristics of romance and heartbreak. These pieces will be distributed to the audience as they are performed, serving as keepsakes.

In connection with the theme of romance, audience members will be encouraged to share any past romantic experiences they associate with the musical works performed. Throughout this concert, the audience will embark on a musical journey through the distinct characteristics of each composer and the colorful yet captivating atmosphere they create.

With this project, I hope that music can serve as an experience that people from all walks of life can find joy in, even through the challenges and obstacles we face. Additionally, all feelings of love and affection, and the romantic memories we cherish throughout our lives, should be celebrated. Through this concert and our own experiences of love, we can not only find joy in these little musical romantic pieces but also reflect on finding gratitude within ourselves and sharing love with others in need.

By Hyewon Chang

Date: Thursday, August 8th @ 10:30am

Location: Didsbury Hospital

Performers: Hyewon Chang, piano | Claire Hebeisen, violin | David Dietz, cello

Repertoire:

• Schumann Drei Romanzen Op. 94

• Brahms Piano Trio No. 1

• Amy Beach Romance, Op. 23
  

Project Description:

The titled Romance works by Robert Schumann, Johannes Brahms, and Amy Beach enable the audience to appreciate the full-blown sound of Romanticism. The first movement of Schumann's Fantasie contains a hidden message to Clara, his love, as quoted by Beethoven's song cycle An die ferne Geliebte (To the Distant Beloved). Brahms weaves together intricate textures and rich harmonies to create a sound that is at once intimate and expansive. From the tender lyricism of the opening movement to the exhilarating energy of the finale, the work takes listeners on a captivating musical odyssey through the depths of the Romantic spirit. From tender melodies to impassioned virtuosity, Schumann and Amy Beach's Romance works allow people to immerse themselves in the sound of the Romantic period, where emotions and melodies linger long after the last note.

I hope this program can make the audience feel deeply moved, emotionally enriched, and inspired by the beauty, passion, and emotional depth of the Romantic music as brought to life.

By Adam Willson

Date: Thursday, August 8th @ 2pm

Location: Souto Farms Local Market

Performers: Adam Willson, cello | Natalie Koh, violin | Claire Hebeisen, violin | Syara Robert, viola | Annie Kwok, piano

Repertoire:

• Schumann Five Pieces in a Folk Style for cello and piano

• Florence Price Five Folk songs in Counterpoint

• Ralph Vaughan Williams Five English Folk Songs

Project Description:

Folk music has always been a passion of mine. Folk music often feels removed from classical because of its vastly different approach and style. Classical music has a long tradition in notation, whereas folk music is learned aurally. Classical music places a high emphasis on the role of the composer while folk music acknowledges that music can be written collectively. I hope to blend these two genres of music by curating a program of classical works in the folk style. Countless composers have drawn on folk music for inspiration in their works. I chose three of my favorite pieces that are all sets of five pieces in the folk style. The first is Robert Schumann’s Five Pieces in a Folk Style for cello and piano. This is a set of five original short compositions where Schumann writes in the Germanic folk style, using punchy rhythms and simple harmony to emulate the folk music of the day. The second is Florence Price’s Five Folksongs in Counterpoint. Each piece in this set is based on an American folk song, and Price applies her contrapuntal skills to develop and expand the songs. Price uses a classical lens to engineer her brilliant renditions of these folk songs. The third piece is Ralph Vaughan Williams Five English Folk Songs. Originally for choir, these pieces are arrangements of English folk songs. Vaughan Williams keeps the original melodies and rhythms, but invokes a rich harmonic landscape to underscore each song. One aspect of a concert I find very important is the flow and progression. For this program, starting with the most recognizable “classical” work, Schumann’s Five Pieces in a Folk Style, sets the tone. While this is an exploration of folk music, we see it through the eyes of Schumann. After listeners absorb Schumann’s world, the Price is the best piece to follow. She arranged five spirituals for string quartet, with her own spin. A highly contrapuntal work, this will provide a nice contrast to the more emotive and romantic world of Schumann. To end the concert, I want to focus on accessibility. Oftentimes I like to end concerts with more silly pieces, like opera fantasies or dances, but Vaughan Williams works beautifully as a closer. It is unbelievably lush and very harmonically satisfying. After experiencing Price’s adventurous take on a folk song, Vaughan Williams will melt the hearts of the audience and end the recital on a very uplifting note.

I hope to perform this concert at a farm, either in a barn or possibly a greenhouse. I’ve performed a couple concerts at these venues in upstate New York and it would be perfect for this program. Since all these pieces are based on folk songs, hosting the performance in a more communal space, not a traditional concert hall, is more appropriate. Folk music connects to both the people and the land, and performing at a farm will help foster the connection to the land. After the performance, I want to invite members of the audience to share their own folk music. People from the community can share their own type of folk music and jam with the performers. We could collaborate with a local folk musician who could help lead the post recital workshop. After exploring these three composers' folk inspired music, it would be really nice to connect with the community and listen to some of the folk music in the Airdrie region.