Pentland Unveiled

This coming weekend, three concerts inspired by the music of Canadian composer Barbara Pentland (1912-2000) will take place at The Music Room in Halifax as part of the Canadian Music Centre’s worldwide celebration of her 100th birthday.

Always ahead of her time, Barbara Pentland is now “recognized by scholars and many fellow composers as one of the most significant figures in 20th century Canadian music” (Canadian Music Center). She was one of the pre-eminent members of the generation of Canadian composers who came to artistic maturity in the years following World War Two.

The three concerts – full of love, loss, despair, transformation, and transcendence – are being presented by Halifax-based Vocalypse Productions, and will feature the best of both local and national musical talent. They will include Pentland’s music as well as the music of composers who fired her creative imagination and changed her musical direction.

The first concert on November 23 will feature works by Copland, Webern, Schoenberg, and Pentland performed by Halifax soprano Janice Jackson and Victoria BC pianist Teresa Turgeon. Halifax pianist Barbara Pritchard will perform Pentland’s solo piano works on November 24. The final concert on November 25 will feature Halifax’s Elastic Millennium Choir plus Gwyneth Christoffel and students from Dalhousie, Acadia, and Mount Allison Universities performing new works by young composers from across the Maritimes – all inspired by Pentland’s music. Also featured will be a new work by Lucy Hayes Davies, well known for her beautiful mezzo voice, but also holding a bachelor’s degree in composition.

Sing the Wish

Music by the composers that inspired Barbara Pentland
Friday, November 23rd, 2012 8PM
Soprano, Janice Jackson with special guest Teresa Turgeon (Victoria) – piano
Seldom heard music by Copland, Webern, Schoenberg, and Pentland
Exquisite poetry from China, Canada, Germany
 
Obstinate Tune(s)
The piano music of Barbara Pentland
Saturday, November 24th, 2012 8PM
Barbara Pritchard – piano
 
Awaken Childe
World premieres inspired by the music of Barbara Pentland
Sunday, November 25th, 2012 2PM
Student composers / performers from Dalhousie, Acadia, Mount Allison Universities
With special guest: The Elastic Millennium Choir
 
The Music Room, 6181 Lady Hammond Road, Halifax
Tickets $20 / $15 (3 Concert pass $40/$30)
 
www.vocalypse.ca