I heard an interesting quote while watching a documentary recently. "Architecture is frozen music" (Goethe) and "Music is a fluid architecture of sound." (Roy Harris) This interplay of music and architecture carried me back to the Stratford Farewell concert of Jamie Klassen and Megan Franken on August 13 at St. James church. That evening I was struck by a quote inscribed in gold across the front of the sanctuary. "I am come that they might have life and that they might have it more abundantly" (John 10:10)
Savouring the expansive romanticism of Brahms' Intermezzos, I allowed myself to absorb the atmosphere of this historic church. The beautiful stained glass windows, including small ones placed at the top of each gothic arch to catch the sunlight, the elegant castings on the lecturns in the chancel and the lovely banners adorning the walls made me realize once again how abundant our life is here in Stratford.
I have the freedom to wander across town on a sunlit evening to hear amazing talent on a beautiful instrument and to listen, centuries after his lifetime, to the mathematical intricacies of Bach's Preludes and Fugues. Closing my eyes I could envision the Roaring 20's flappers dancing the Charleston to the ragtime frivolity of Scott Joplin. For me, the piece de resistance was the fluid line and harmonic undercurrents of Liszt's Grand Etude in D flat major, "un sospiro" (Italian for "a sigh"), a nickname given to the composition by those who no doubt like me, felt their spirits breathe with the rise and fall of the melody.
Yes, frozen music, fluid architecture, abundant life... all in Stratford on a summer evening.
Farewell, Jamie and Megan. May you enjoy abundant living as you pursue your dreams. We hope you will invite us to once again experience "the fluid architecture of sound" if you ever come back this way.
Showing posts with label Jamie Klassen. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Jamie Klassen. Show all posts
Saturday, August 14, 2010
Sunday, July 25, 2010
Stratford's Own Music
Stratford Summer Music is filling the air with guest artists, but last Friday night (July 23) at St. James Church, we were treated to a concert by four very talented teens from Stratford and area. The concert was a fund raiser to help with their ongoing studies in the fall.
Jamie Klassen, a very accomplished pianist, will be attending the Schulich School of Music at McGill University. As well as amazing us with his nimble fingers and sensitive interpretation of the classics, he also served as accompanist during the concert. He will be sorely missed in Stratford, not only as a pianist, but in his role as Operations Manager for the Stratford Symphony Orchestra.
Mimi Liu, as well as being a fine violinist, has a passion for social justice. Through her vision, Vivace Student Music was organized in 2008, finding instruments and providing lessons for students who could not otherwise afford them. This fall Mimi will be studying International Relations at University of Toronto.
To hear Daniel Ramjattan playing classical guitar was a joy. His virtuosity on the instrument made it obvious why he us a popular performer. His interest in music is diverse as he also teaches for Vivace, and plays electric guitar with the local alternative rock band, Thirsty Wench. He will no doubt excel in his musical studies at University of Ottawa.
Victoria Melik from Kitchener will be attending Wilfred Laurier's Music Program. She was a joy to watch both for her technique on the violin, and for the way the interpretation of the music shone through her face. She provided an extremely rousing and fun end to the two-hour program.
Once again, I feel blessed to live in Stratford, where people are so willing to share their talents. Good luck to these four talented students as they head off to pursue their dreams.
Jamie Klassen, a very accomplished pianist, will be attending the Schulich School of Music at McGill University. As well as amazing us with his nimble fingers and sensitive interpretation of the classics, he also served as accompanist during the concert. He will be sorely missed in Stratford, not only as a pianist, but in his role as Operations Manager for the Stratford Symphony Orchestra.
Mimi Liu, as well as being a fine violinist, has a passion for social justice. Through her vision, Vivace Student Music was organized in 2008, finding instruments and providing lessons for students who could not otherwise afford them. This fall Mimi will be studying International Relations at University of Toronto.
To hear Daniel Ramjattan playing classical guitar was a joy. His virtuosity on the instrument made it obvious why he us a popular performer. His interest in music is diverse as he also teaches for Vivace, and plays electric guitar with the local alternative rock band, Thirsty Wench. He will no doubt excel in his musical studies at University of Ottawa.
Victoria Melik from Kitchener will be attending Wilfred Laurier's Music Program. She was a joy to watch both for her technique on the violin, and for the way the interpretation of the music shone through her face. She provided an extremely rousing and fun end to the two-hour program.
Once again, I feel blessed to live in Stratford, where people are so willing to share their talents. Good luck to these four talented students as they head off to pursue their dreams.
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