As the great philospher Plato once said, “Music gives a soul to the universe, wings to the mind, flight to the imagination and life to everything.”
Well, the Quadra Island Chamber Music Society says preparations are well underway for the 7th Annual Festival of Chamber Music, which will embody this idea.
This year’s five-day festival will run from Tuesday, July 18 to Saturday, July 22.
Phil Hansen, founder and artistic director of the event, fell in love with Quadra Island years ago. His commitment to bringing world class music and musicians to Quadra is so strong that his contract as principal cellist with the Orquestra Filarmônica de Minas Gerais in Belo Horizonte, Brazil, includes the stipulation that he be released each summer for the event. Hansen’s intimate connection with each venue is reflected in the music chosen for each unique location.
The theme for this year’s event is “Rhythmagic.”
Rhythm dictates our lives, from the beat of our hearts to our daily routines. Rhythmically speaking, Hansen has masterminded a program to engage a panoply of tastes based on works that musicians find most interesting. Chosen works include the harmonic rhythm of J.S. Bach, the immoveable beats of Brazil, new Canadian works and the unparalleled motion of Oliver Messiaen’s Quartet for the End of Time.
The event schedule is as follows:
Tuesday, July 18
“Rhythm, Meet Harmony.” Stone House. Doors at 6:30 p.m., concert at 7 p.m. $20
Hansen delights audiences on both the 4- and 5-string Baroque cellos, performing Bach’s Suites 1, 2 and 6 for Unaccompanied Cello
Wednesday, July 19
“1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6” Quadra Island United Church, Cape Mudge. Doors at 6:30 p.m., concert at 7 p.m. $20
Mozart, Stavinsky, Swoboda, Reich and an original composition by Hansen written specifically for the 2017 festival
Thursday July 20
Family Concert “You’ve Got Rhythm!” Quadra Community Centre. Doors at 11:30 a.m., concert at Noon.
Enjoy this engaging, interactive program with Festival musicians. Admission and food for this concert are by donation
Friday July 21
“Upcoast, Downstream” SouthEnd Farm Winery. Tapas included. Doors at 6:30 p.m., concert at 7 p.m. $45.
Quartet performances of Hector Villa-Lobos, Ernesto Nazareth, Bela Bartok, Johannes Brahams and others
Saturday July 22
“Terminus” Quadra Island Community Centre. Doors at 6:30 p.m., concert at 7 p.m. $20
Works by Konstantin Bozhinov, Olivier Messiaen and Johannes Brahams
Tickets for all performances are available at the Tidemark Theatre (250-287-7465) or online at tidemarktheatre.com, Works of H’Art on Quadra (250-285-2834) or at Inspirations (250-285-3334).
For more information, visit quadrafestival.com