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 Organ Week at SSM salutes the
United States of America
In a year when Canada’s friend to the south welcomes an exciting and historic new President, and perhaps a new era, Stratford Summer Music salutes the red, white and blue with the Canadian debut of a most exciting and unusual young superstar, New York’s (and history’s only) Grammy-nominated organist Cameron Carpenter.
Then, on Sunday August 2nd Stratford Summer Music continues its salute to the U.S. of A. with “The Organ in America”, Part II of the Heritage of the Organ series launched in 2008, in which SSM Artistic Associate Christopher Dawes and Friends chronicle the story of the organ’s journey from Europe into the churches, concert halls, cinemas, arenas, jazz clubs - and the hearts of a new nation.
CONCERTS 2009
Thu July 30, 11:15am – Cameron Carpenter @ Knox Presbyterian Church
The Beauty and Emotion of J.S. Bach (an all-Bach recital)
Fri July 31, 11:15am – Cameron Carpenter @ Knox Presbyterian Church
Fearless: Cameron's Choices (free-spirited and free-wheeling)
Sat August 1, 11:15am – Cameron Carpenter @ Knox Presbyterian Church
Organsmic Fireworks (Cameron’s and history's favourite organ selections)
Sun August 2, 2:00pm
“The Organ in America”, Part II of Heritage of the Organ: @ Knox Presbyterian Church
Christopher Dawes and friends trace the King of Instruments’ journey from Europe into the churches, concert halls, cinemas, arenas, jazz clubs - and the hearts of a new nation.
Christopher Dawes, concept, host and keyboards
Daniel Rubinoff, saxophones
Julie Wilhelm, horn
Pam Hyatt, songstress
CAMERON CARPENTER
 28-year old Cameron Carpenter, dubbed “The Maverick Organist” by The New York Times (2006), is known for his intensely personal, often flamboyant, performances. His organ technique is widely regarded as unmatched: his readings of Chopin’s Ètudes, Op. 10 question the limits of organ technique, particularly when Chopin’s relentless chromatic runs are played only by the feet.
Cameron’s repertoire spans the organ and piano literature; his original compositions; film scores, especially from Japanese animé; and improvisations influenced by folk song, jazz, disco and pop. From his use of color, to the concert clothes and organ shoes he designs -prompting press such as Women’s Wear Daily to nickname him the “organist/runway model” - his approach to the organ is unique.
In early 2008 Cameron signed with TELARC® Records. His Telarc debut, Revolutionary, references Chopin’s Revolutionary Ètude, the opening track on a CD+DVD program including Bach, Demessieux, Dupré, Liszt, Horowitz, Grainger, Ellington, and the world premiere recording of Cameron’s own Love Song No. 1 (2008). In 2008 he was appointed Artist-In-Residence at Middle Collegiate Church in New York City’s East Village, an ethnically and musically diverse congregation to which his tastes and abilities are perfectly suited. Cameron holds Bachelor’s (2004) and Master’s (2006) degrees from The Juilliard School in New York City.
He writes:
“NO OTHER INSTRUMENT is so victimized by stereotype as the organ, which the vast majority tend to associate with church, and probably with funerals, B movies, Halloween… And I think the organist’s image has really suffered. So I want to get in there and put on a show, because that’s what the organ is, after all. It’s a grandiose musical stage set, a glittering emotion-machine, and I see no reason not to have a great deal of fun. The organ is musical dynamite, but its fuse must be lit.”
THE ORGAN IN AMERICA (Part II of Heritage of the Organ)
download program in PDF format
Christopher Dawes, program concept, host and keyboards
Daniel Rubinoff, saxophones, has performed widely in France, Canada and the United States. His discography includes The Old Castle, Daniel Rubinoff Plays the Music of Srul Glick, The Canada Song, and two collaborations with Christopher Dawes, The Dance of the Blessed Spirits, and Daniel Rubinoff Plays Denis Bédard. He has appeared on the cover of the International Saxophone Journal with a feature article on his career. He has performed numerous saxophone recitals with some of Canada’s finest musicians: Sax ‘ n Ivory, with concert pianist Gloria Saarinen; Classical Meets Jazz, with pianist David Braid; SaxAccord, with accordionist Joe Macerollo; and Music Old And New, with harpsichordist Paul Jenkins. Rubinoff has performed recitals for the World Saxophone Congress (Quebec), Octagon Recital Series (Nova Scotia), Regina Arts (Saskatchewan), Sundays at Three (Alberta), BC Touring Council (British Columbia), Port Ludlow Community Concerts (Washington), and Colours of Music (Ontario). Rubinoff is an Artist-Representative for the Selmer Saxophone Company of America. He is a former Instructor of Saxophone at York University and adjudicates wind examinations for the University of Toronto’s Faculty of Music. He is in frequent demand as both adjudicator and instructor. He is also the recipient of two Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council of Canada Fellowships in support of his work in saxophone composition and Dalcroze Eurhythmics. Currently, he is Director of Music at Donway Covenant United Church in Toronto and is pursuing a PhD in Musicology at York University.
Julie Wilhelm, horn is currently a Masters of Arts student at the Royal Academy of Music (London), studying French horn performance with Michael Thompson, Richard Watkins, Martin Owen and Andrew Clark. Having completed a BMus in French horn performance at the University of British Columbia in 2007, she has performed in many venues throughout Canada and the United Kingdom. Julie has played in masterclasses and taken lessons with some of the world's leading horn players including: Alessio Allegrini (international soloist), James Sommerville (Boston Symphony Orchestra), Fergus McWilliam (Berlin Philharmonic) and Radovan Vlatkovich (international soloist). She has been a guest artist with members of the Vancouver Symphony Orchestra, London Chamber Academy Orchestra and with rapper Kanye West. Julie is also a member of London-based ‘en cor’ horn quartet which performs frequently throughout the United Kingdom. Alongside her studies in performance, Julie is studying brass instrument design and repair. She aims to build a natural horn to be completed in 2010 for her graduating recital.
Pam Hyatt, songstress: A transplanted New Yorker, thanks to cinematographer John C. Foster, Ms Hyatt trained at RADA, initiating her professional career in the musical revue field. Gaining attention as a comedienne singer, she focused on cabaret, TV variety (live!), musical revues, and the alternate theatre scene in Toronto. Brief tours of European Army bases with Phil Nimmon’s jazz band, a summer on a Yukon riverboat at Dawson City’s Gold Rush Festival widened her experience. The arrival of firstborn son, Carson T. Foster, combined with tutelage by Ven. Namgyal Rinpoche, pushed the envelope further. As did departing Rosedale for Rochdale College and arrival of second son, Zack Ward. Performance field resumed with TV dramas, and Robin Phillips, who truly challenged her concept of boundaries. Thanks to him, 1977 saw her at the Stratford Shakespeare Festival, playing with the late, lamented Richard Monette, Bill Hutt, Richard Curnock, Flo Paterson, lovely Marti Maraden, the astonishing Maggie Smith and Domini Blythe. Back to the electronic field, TV, animation, commercials, narration. At home with sons. When Zack (TV/film actor from age 10, yellow-eyed Scut Farkas in “A Christmas Story”) finished high school and left to explore the world, Pam went back to England for more classical studies. Aged 53, she joined 35 others for LAMDA’s Overseas Actors’ Course in English Classical Theatre. Unbridled fear and exhilaration, superb experience! Shaved head allowed her to play the great mens’ roles. Worked in TV/film in England, then off-Broadway; finally realized Canada is home. Returned. Enjoyed lots of film and TV work in TO, spent 1999- 2006 in Vancouver doing more of the same plus theatre plus a nifty jaunt to the Siberian High Arctic with Rinpoche. 2007 – studied meditation with poet Cecilie Kwiat in Alberta. Returned to Toronto 2008. Been doing tasteful voice over TV commercials and, from this April thru mid-July, had the great pleasure of singing with pianist Ken Lindsay during Thursday cocktail hour at Statlers on Church Street. That’s where SSM’s Artistic Director, John Miller, heard and invited me to do this concert. AND … we’ve just discovered, we met in ’77 when he was Vice Principal at Central Secondary School, where Carson was in attendance. Talk about serendipity!!! Such a lovely planet!
For information: Stratford Summer Music
www.stratfordsummermusic.ca, (519) 271-2101 / toll-free 1 (866) 288-4313
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