The Friends of McGill Piano Present: Vol. 2, issue 1

“Life is like a piano. What you get out of it depends on how you play it.” The Soundboard -Tom Lehrerr Piano Area Chair’s Welcome McGill Welcomes Anton Kuerti Dear Friends, Announcing the 2007-2008 Catherine with most major North American Thornhill Steele Chair: Anton Kuerti orchestras and conductors, such as the New Welcome to the second edition of York Philharmonic, National Symphony The Soundboard, McGill Music’s Pianist Anton Kuerti was born in , grew up in the U.S., and has lived in Canada (Menuhin), Cleveland Orchestra (Szell), newsletter dedicated to all friends of Philadelphia Orchestra (Ormandy), and piano. for the last 35 years. His teachers included Arthur Loesser, Mieczyslaw Horszowski, the orchestras of Atlanta, Denver, Detroit, and . At the age of 11 he Pittsburgh, St. Louis, and San Francisco. We are very pleased to see such great His vast repertoire includes some 50 enthusiasm generated by its first performed the Grieg Concerto with Arthur Fiedler, and he was still a student when he concertos, including one he composed release, and truly want it to be the himself. link between the School and all piano won the famous Leventritt Award. Anton Kuerti has toured 31 countries, In Canada Kuerti has appeared in about lovers in the community. You are our 140 communities from coast to coast, “raison d’être”, and are a tremendous including Japan, Russia, and most European countries, and has performed and has played with every professional inspiration for our gifted students. orchestra, including over 30 concerts with Your support to and presence at the Symphony. As a chamber various piano events happening at musician, he has performed the major the Schulich School makes a world of repertoire with such artists as Gidon difference to them, and we are all very Kremer, Yo-Yo Ma, Janos Starker, Barry thankful of your kind generosity. Tuckwell, and the Cleveland, Guarneri, and Tokyo string quartets. It has been an exciting year, from Kuerti is one of today’s most recorded Michelle Nam winning the Grand Prize artists: compact discs of his performances of the Symphony Orchestra include all the Beethoven concertos and Competition, to an impressive list sonatas, the Schubert sonatas, the Brahms of Guest Artists who came to share concertos, and works by many other their expertise with us. There was a composers. These recordings air almost unique Symposium on Beethoven’s daily on the CBC. He is also an Officer “Tempest” Sonata culminating in a of the Order of Canada, and has received recital shared amongst Professor Sara several honourary doctorates. Laimon, Professor Kyoko Hashimoto The Piano Area welcomes Prof. Kuerti to and myself. Recently, thanks to the the Schulich School of Music. Our students tireless efforts on our behalf from are eager to learn from his incredible Dean Prof. Don McLean many new expertise and artistry. pianos began arriving at the School, and with the move of academic and The Dorothy Morton Visiting Artist Concert, featuring Anton Kuerti in support staff into the new building, recital, will be held on March 14th, 2008 at 8:00 pm in Pollack Hall. work will soon begin to create many additional practice rooms, which will have a huge impact on our students New Yamahas for McGill Piano Faculty and Students access to improved instruments and practice facilities. As part of a capital investment by McGill of three installments of new pianos. Over University, this spring the Schulich School the next 18 months, over $700,000 of We are confident that the New Year of Music was able to welcome its newest new Yamaha Upright and Grand Pianos will be filled with many thrilling instrumental acquisitions: a selection will begin their lives at the school. The moments, and that you will all be of 13 upright and grand pianos. These generous support of McGill University there to share them with us. We want stunning Yamaha pianos are destined to and our longstanding relationship you to feel a part of our students’ replace those various instruments that with Yamaha Canada has made these development and success. have accrued over the years and now acquisitions possible. Our professors unsalvageable, and also to increase the and students compete and succeed on Prof. Richard Raymond number of high-quality instruments in the the global stage—now their school has Piano Area Chair school’s collection. enhanced resources to help support them These new instruments are but the first in their endeavours! page 2 The Soundboard New Doctoral Students in the House Friends of McGill Piano would like to introduce appeared with Calgary orchestras, performing Alejandro Ochoa, MMus ‘05 is from Medellin, you to our current international ‘crop’ of Doctoral concerti by Beethoven, Rachmaninoff and Colombia. Upon completion of studies in piano students. We extend special congratulations Grieg. Miss Henchell has taught private piano Bogota, he came to McGill, where he completed to Xenia Pestov and Durval Cesetti, who were and theory lessons, adjudicated festivals and his Masters degree with Marina Mdivani. He is recently awarded SSHRC grants. Our current accompanied both professional and student currently pursuing his Doctorate in a unique Doctoral students are profiled here. musicians in the Calgary area. Currently, she is program combining historical and modern studying with Professor Richard Raymond and instruments with Professors Tom Beghin Described by Claude her research areas will include Finger exercises (Fortepiano) and Kyoko Hashimoto (Piano). Gingras of La Presse as of Brahms, Liszt and Dohnanyi and their His research includes work on Beethoven’s ‘un pianiste d’une rare applications in the works of these composers, piano music, Rhetoric/Musical Rhetoric musicalité’, Brazilian 20th century extended piano techniques, and and Variation Form, as well as Nineteenth Durval Cesetti, Canadian Piano Music. Century Performance Practice. Alejandro has BMus ’03, MMus ’05, performed extensively as soloist and chamber is currently pursuing Martin Karlíček comes from the Czech musician in Colombia as well as in a Doctorate in piano Republic. Prior to McGill, Martin studied and Canada. performance. He is in Plzeň and Prague as well as the Utrecht a student of Kyoko Academy of the Arts in Holland. He has been F o l l o w i n g Hashimoto; his past active in international workshops for both childhood music teachers include chamber music performers and soloists. In education in Neusa França, Eugene Plawutsky, Louis- March 2000, he was chosen to attend the 5th Russia, Xenia Philippe Pelletier, Richard Raymond and Tom Hamamatsu Academy in Japan where he gained Pestov moved Plaunt. Durval has performed solo recitals in experience from such prominent Professors as to New Zealand important halls throughout Brazil. Recent H. Nakamura, M. Beroff, P. Paleczny, P. Lang with her family performances include a recital with mezzo- and M. Abbado. Martin is a holder of the in 1992 and later soprano Martina Govednik, and a concert of B. Smetana and the F. Liszt Prizes and as a went on to study the Société de Musique Contemporaine du prizewinner of a number of piano competitions in the UK, the Québec at Salle Pierre Mercure. This summer he was also a guest of several music festivals. Netherlands, and Canada. Xenia’s he played three concerts with the Orquestra At McGill he is studying with Professor Kyoko interest in promoting 20th and 21st Century Sinfônica do Rio Grande do Norte in Natal, Hashimoto. repertoire has led her to collaborate with Brazil. Cesetti’s areas of research include emerging and established composers and performance anxiety, music and literature, Tea Mamaladze, premiere numerous works. She has studied Szymanowski and Polish piano music. He ADip ’01, MMus ’03, with the leading interpreters of contemporary was recently awarded SSHRC grant to analyze was born in Tbilisi, music and is a laureate of several competitions. two piano triptychs of Szymanowski: Métopes, Georgia. Following Recent collaborations include performances op. 29, and Masques, op. 34. His research will musical studies at The with the United Instruments of Lucilin and contemplate the diversity of influences – both Musical School for Sinfonietta (Luxembourg), McGill musical and non-musical – that affected his Gifted Children she Contemporary Music Ensemble (Montreal), style. studied at Tbilisi State Stroma and Amalgam (New Zealand). Xenia Musical Conservatory is currently studying with Professor Sara Lana Henchell where she graduated Laimon. Her areas of research include Aspects received her Bachelor with honors. In 1995, of Performance Practice with Instruments and and Master of Tea moved to Montreal Electronics, The Importance of Birdsong in Music degrees from and continued her Relation to Olivier Messiaen’s Piano Output, the University of studies at McGill, completing both the Artist and Russian and Soviet Musical Modernism Calgary, where she Diploma and Master of Music. During her 1900-1932. She recently received a SSHRC studied with Marilyn graduate studies, Ms. Mamaladze received grant to develop ideas on the Performance Engle. A laureate of numerous scholarships. Tea’s piano career has Practice of Interactive Music in Canada: 1950 many competitions, included invitations to many European musical to the Present Day. she took First Prize festivals and solo recitals in Moscow, St. at the Eckhardt- Petersburg, Berlin, Bremen, , Lubeck, We would also like to extend a warm welcome Gramatté National Salzburg, and Amsterdam. Ms. Mamaladze to our newest Doctoral student- Ms. Ruby Ji Piano Competition in May 2004 and traveled – winner of the “Debut” Young Concert Artist Zin. She recently completed her Artist Diploma across Canada to perform a sixteen-concert Series in Montreal – is a frequent performer at McGill with Prof. Richard Raymond, and tour. This included a performance of the in Montreal and Ottawa, and is currently a will begin her Doctoral studies this fall. Mozart C Major Piano Concerto, K.503, with student of Professor Richard Raymond. Her Congratulations and welcome! the Montreal Chamber Orchestra. As soloist areas of research include the Virtuoso Etude, and accompanist, Miss Henchell has played development of the Conservatoire, and numerous recitals in the Calgary area, and has Audition Colorée (synaesthesia). The Soundboard page 3

Remembering Charles Reiner by Jacqueline Ryz, MMus’90 I will never forget the first day I met Charles. to practice on weekdays at his Greene Avenue the discussion. It so happened that the driver I had been assigned to him as a Master’s apartment – what a privilege! His “rock-hard” was a classical music fan who had seen some student, and walked up to the fourth floor of Steinway provided a great athletic workout of Charles’ performances and could not believe the music building to introduce myself and for the fingers, and occasionally I could look his good fortune that he was transporting a to discuss lesson times for the year. The snow forward to little notes in foreign languages genuine Reiner student in his cab! No doubt, white haired, dignified looking gentlemen was that were sometimes were left for inspiration! all of his former piano students around the sitting at his desk and inquisitively looked up If further inspiration were needed, I would continent collectively bask in the knowledge of after I knocked at the door. His gentlemanly conjure up one of my more favorite of his pearls how fortunate we all were to have had him in demeanor was apparent right from our initial of pianistic wisdom, such as “…think of the keys our musical lives. as an extension of your hand” To this day, I use that analogy for legatissimo with my own piano students. Charles Reiner’s Credo, in his own charming style: After graduating in 1990, we kept in touch on a y e a r l y b a s i s , either with phone c a l l s — a l w a y s brief (“GOOD to hear from you!” was usually how they ended after a minute and Jacqueline and Charles a half or so!), letters (ending meeting, but what surprised me the most is sometimes with “Mhany that after brief initial discussion, he looked at hugs and kisses”), or, when me and said simply “You will call me Charles.” I made it to Montreal, in What a surprise! person lunches (“You pay for the drinks; I’ll pay for Wanting to make the best of my time at McGill, the food!”). Who could I had practiced my programme all summer, and forget the famous page after our first piano lesson, was most pleased turning jokes! when Charles’s comment after my initial playing of Beethoven’s Opus 2 No.3 was“quite mature”. I I will never forget one was amazed at how great Charles was at making particular cab ride to you feel at ease at lessons--in fact, the norm the airport for one of was more collegial, as opposed to professorial. my visits back home to (The only time the latter prevailed was during Winnipeg during my a slightly heated interpretive discussion of studies at McGill. In Chopin, after which Charles said “...on this, I conversation with the cab insist!”). driver, my piano studies I always looked forward to taking the metro with Charles came up in

Alumni Profile: Jacqueline Ryz, MMus’90 Pianist Jacqueline Ryz is a native of Winnipeg Ms. Ryz is currently on the piano faculty of the Ms. Ryz is an active performer in Manitoba where she received her Bachelor of Arts in Preparatory Studies Division of the University and has had numerous concerts broadcast on music from the University of Winnipeg, as well of Manitoba and also teaches piano pedagogy CBC radio. She is a frequent guest artist on as her ARCT in performance from the Royal at the Faculty of Music. A highly experienced many University of Winnipeg concert series, Conservatory of Toronto. In Winnipeg, she teacher, she maintains a large class of students and has premiered two solo works by Manitoba studied with John Melnyk and Lorne Watson, at all levels. Her students include provincial composers. Her performances include duo and was twice a finalist in the prestigious RCM medal recipients. She is also a senior piano tours with pianist Laura Loewen, as Aikens Memorial Trophy Competition. She piano examiner for the Royal Conservatory of well as appearances in Mexico and the United later received her MMus at McGill, where she Toronto, and a member of the Canadian Music States. studied with Charles Reiner. Festival Adjudicators’ Association. page 4 The Soundboard alla breva Prof. Sara Laimon, cur- Michelle Nam, BMus Vancouver lawyer Roselle This September Rosa Pyon, Prof. Richard Raymond rently on sabbatical, will ‘07, recent Montreal Wu, BMus ’98, was the student of Luba Zuk, won made his Mexican debut be performing in New Symphony Orchestra soloist Beethoven’s Piano First Place (senior group) in Mexico City with the York at Symphony Space Piano Competition Grand Concerto No. 5 (The Em- at the 2007 Thousand Is- Mexico Philharmonic on February 14th, 2008, Prize winner, was invited peror) with the West Coast lands International Piano Orchestra performing to play for a second time Symphony on November featuring works by Har- Competition for Young Shostakovitch’s Concerto with the OSM on July 26th 30th. Currently an associ- old Meltzer and McGill’s at Place-des-Arts, where ate of Harper Grey, Ms. Wu People, in Cape Vincent, no.2, and then gave a solo own Brian Cherney. For she performed Mozart’s is also an active chamber New York. Ms. Pyon is recital in Tbilisi, Georgia further information, Piano Concerto K.488 in musician. The concert on currently pursuing an at the Grand Hall of the please visit www.sym- A major. In September the 30th raised funds for Undergraduate Degree in Conservatoire. While in phonyspace.org. she began her Master’s the Lookout Emergency Piano Performance. each country he also led studies at Juilliard. Aid Society. masterclasses.

N ew R e l e as e s Paul Berkowitz: Morton Visiting Artist ‘07 Canadian Music for Two Pianos I met Paul Berkowitz two years ago in seemed equally eager that I go there, but LUBA and IRENEUS ZUK Piano Duo beautiful Santa Barbara. Even though I have reasons beyond our control prevented that done quite a few auditions in the past, never from happening. Therefore, when I heard A CD of Canadian Music for Two Pianos, performed by before had a professor come pick me up at he was coming to McGill, I was overjoyed the Luba and Ireneus the airport in his car. This was at the prospect of playing for Zuk Piano Duo, has Luba & Ireneus Zuk indicative of the warmth and him again. In the masterclass been released by SNE Piano duo Pianistes-duettistes generosity so characteristic of he gave, Paul demonstrated - Societe nouvelle him, qualities I would get to his profound understanding d’ en re g ist rement experience in the following of Beethoven and Brahms, (Direction artistique: 3 days, which felt more like a brilliantly coaching Tristan Gilles Poirier). vacation than the tense and Longval-Gagné and Eun- anxious situation auditions Boram Ahn in their The disc includes Canadian Music for Two Pianos Musique canadienne pour deux piano usually are. Those same performances. When it came the following works: Pépin • Matton • Kulesha • Keane • Fiala • Crawley qualities come across clearly in my turn to play Prokofiev, “Ronde villageoise” Paul Berkowitz’ performances, I once again experienced (1961, rev.1986) by Clermont Pépin, “Danse brésillienne” as the audience in Pollack Hall the qualities that make him (1946, rev. 1971) by Roger Matton, “Mythologies” (1987) was able to witness on March a truly special teacher. The by Gary Kulesha, “Fantasy” (1982) by David Keane, 20th. Not that his playing attentive listening, the gentle “Second Sonata” (1983) by George Fiala, and “Three cannot also be grim and heart- way in which he coaxes us Shades of Dark” (1987) by Clifford Crawley. wrenching when needed, as in his masterful to overcome our limits, the deep love for rendition of Janáček’s Sonata 1.X.1905 that music and the intoxicating enthusiasm The Zuk Duo have become known for their particular evening. that exude from his every word. At the risk devotion to the Canadian repertoire. They have of sounding trite, I must say that it was commissioned and premiered a significant number of After 6 years at McGill, I was very much indeed a very special evening for me, and compositions by Canadian composers including works looking forward to moving to a balmier that it reminded me why we make music. written especially for them, some with the assistance of climate and studying with him, and he Thank you, Paul. -Durval Cesetti grants from the Canada Council and the Ontario Arts Council. we’d love to hear from you! If you'd like to send us your news, or you'd like to support the Piano Area, Professor Luba Zuk is a member of the piano faculty or if you know someone who would like to receive our newsletter, at the Schulich School of Music of McGill University Contact Kate Herzberg in the Development Office and at the McGill Conservatory of Music in Montreal. at 514-398-4054 or [email protected]. Ireneus Zuk is Professor and former Director of the www.mcgill.ca/music/alumni School of Music at Queen’s University, Kingston. Help save a tree--ask for your electronic copy (PDF) today!