Concert Night Out

Fridays, January 9 – March 27, 7:30 p.m.
Rolston Recital Hall
Adults $16 · Student & Seniors $13 · Child $9
Concert Lover Cardholders Free

Every Friday night through March 27, the intimate and acoustically spectacular Rolston Recital Hall is enlivened by resident artists and visiting faculty. Diverse offerings range from new creations by emerging musicians to masterpieces of the traditional repertoire performed by internationally celebrated artists.

Highlights

January 9 — Tafelmusik Baroque Orchestra

Canada’s famed Tafelmusik presents the world premiere of The Galileo Project: Music of the Spheres, co-produced by The Banff Centre. This staged work with actor Sean Smyth features music by Vivaldi, Lully, Monteverdi, Purcell, Rameau, and Bach, celebrating words and music composed and inspired by the work of Galileo.

January 16 — An evening of Chopin and Brahms

Featuring pianist Piers Lane and director of music Barry Shiffman on viola. With a concert and recording career that places him at the top of today’s performing artists, and a regular at London’s Wigmore Hall and venues across Europe, Piers Lane makes his first visit to Banff.

February 13 — The Afiara String Quartet

With a program including Alban Berg’s masterpiece Lyric Suite and Haydn quartets, Banff International String Quartet Competition alumni the Afiara Quartet return to Banff following recent triumphs at the Concert Artist Guild Competition in New York and the Munich Radio Competition.

February 27 — Project Nono

The music of Luigi Nono holds a special place in the canon of 20th century composition. Combining advanced electronics with remarkable instrumental combinations, the Centre welcomes musicians from the Netherlands for an inspiring and provocative evening exploring the music of this Italian master.

March 6 — Pro Musica Nipponia

With an international cast of musicians in residence at The Banff Centre. The second half of tonight’s concert features a performance by Japan’s Pro Musica Nipponia, an ensemble of traditional Japanese instrumentalists, including performers on Shakuhachi, Shamisen, and Koto.

March 13 — Kolja Lessing

German violinist, pianist, and composer Kolja Lessing presents an evening of chamber music in collaboration with the Centre’s musicians in residence.

March 20 — RusQuartet

Direct from Moscow, the dynamic RusQuartet, First Prize winners of the Shostakovich International Competition, and alumni of the 2007 Banff International String Quartet Competition, present music of celebrated Dutch composer Louis Andriessen in celebration of the composer’s 70th year.

March 27 — Season Finale

Cellist Yeesun Kim and violinist Nicholas Kitchen of the Borromeo Quartet join musicians in residence — the evening includes a rare opportunity to hear the uplifting Mendelssohn Octet, a great way to celebrate the end of the winter concert season.

Midweek Medley

January 14 – March 18
Wednesdays, 4:30 p.m.
Rolston Recital Hall, Donation at the door

Showcasing Banff Centre musicians in solo and small ensemble concerts, this series is planned and presented by the artists.

An Afternoon of Music

Thursday, February 5, 4:30 p.m.
Bentley Chamber Music Studio, Free

Banff Centre resident artists present a casual afternoon of music featuring Rachmaninoff’s Piano Concerto No. 2 in C minor, Op. 18, Beethoven’s Sonata for Horn and Piano, Op. 17, Bach’s Prelude and Fugue in E major from the Well-Tempered Clavier Book II, and Brahms’s Trio for Clarinet, Cello and Piano, Op. 114.

Canmore Sundays

January 18, February 1 and 15
March 1 and 15, 2:30 p.m.
Creekside Hall, Canmore Seniors Centre
Donation at the door

Every other Sunday, The Banff Centre brings musicians to Canmore for a casual and cozy afternoon concert of chamber music.

Evolution
The New CBC Radio-Canada National Composition Prize

Thursday, March 26, 6:00 p.m.
Rolston Recital Hall, Free

Five of Canada’s best young composers will have their music performed by an ensemble of musicians from Quebec, specializing in contemporary repertoire. This exciting conclusion to a month-long competition will be broadcast live across Canada and on the web. The new CBC/Radio-Canada National Composition Prize is a unique showcase for emerging Canadian talent, a bold, original initiative promising divergent (even opposing) musical styles, an unusual format, and exciting discoveries. There are $55,000 in prizes to be awarded following the performance and jury deliberations.