The Gift of Music

Members of the National Arts Centre Orchestra:
Jessica Linnebach – violin
Carissa Klopoushak – viola
Leah Wyber – cello
Max Cardilli – bass
Joanna G’froerer – flute
Charles Hamann – oboe
Sean Rice – clarinet
Darren Hicks – bassoon
Lauren Anker – horn
Pianist TBA

Some works are born from a commission, others from a spark of inspiration. Jean Coulthard’s Pas de deux for flute and bassoon grew from a gesture of friendship, written as a wedding gift for two musicians of the Vancouver Symphony Orchestra. This charming work opens a program that celebrates connection and the joy of making music together.

From the intimate dialogue of Coulthard’s duet, the concert expands into the elegance and lyrical beauty of Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart’s Quintet for Piano and Winds, a work the composer himself regarded as one of his finest achievements. Its soaring melodies and operatic spirit allow each performer to shine while showcasing the art of musical conversation.

Lastly, Louis Spohr’s magnificent Nonet brings together strings and winds in a rare and captivating ensemble. By turns serene, mysterious, and exuberant, the work gives each of the nine instruments a distinct voice, weaving them together in a rich tapestry of colour and expression.

The Gift of Music celebrates friendship, generosity, and the shared experience of chamber music. Through works that highlight conversation, individuality, and artistic partnership, this program reminds us that music itself is one of the finest gifts we can offer one another.