SEASON 15
HAMILTON
First Unitarian Church - 170 Dundurn St South, Hamilton ON
Saturday, January 11, 2025 at 3pm
Pastoral Piano Quartets!
CLAUDE DEBUSSY Sonate pour Violoncelle et Piano
MARJAN MOZETICH Baroque Diversion for Solo Viola (selections and secret extra diversions)
ANTONÍN DVOŘÁK Piano Quartet No. 1 in D Major, Op. 23
Min-Jeong Koh, violin
Caitlin Boyle, viola
Daniel Hamin Go, cello
Angela Park, piano
Concert sponsor: François Verschaeve
Saturday, April 12, 2025 at 3pm
Flute, Viola, and Harp Delight!
THEODORE DUBOIS Terzettino for Flute, Viola, and Harp
ANTON HOFFMEISTER Duo Concertante in F Major, Op. 12, No. 3 for Flute and Viola
DERRICK SKYE Crossing for Flute, Viola, and Harp
RON ROYER Romance and Impromptu for Flute and Harp *world premiere*
MAURICE RAVEL Sonatine for Flute, Viola, and Harp (arr. Salzedo/Childs)
Erica Goodman, harp
Suzanne Shulman, flute
Caitlin Boyle, viola
Saturday, May 17, 2025 at 3pm
Sextet Extravaganza XIII
Yolanda Bruno & Csaba Koczo, violins
Caitlin Boyle & Theresa Rudolph, violas
Rachel Desoer & Rachel Mercer, cellos
INDIA GAILEY Naga (for solo cello, featuring Rachel Mercer)
ANTONÍN DVOŘÁK Terzetto for 2 violins and viola, Op. 74 in C major
SALLY BEAMISH The Wise Maid (for solo cello, featuring Rachel Desoer)
ANTONÍN DVOŘÁK String Sextet, Op. 48 in A major
Concert sponsor: Daphne Payne
Saturday, June 7, 2025 at 3pm
The Poetic Voice!
JOHANNES BRAHMS Zwei Gesänge Op. 91
IAN CUSSON Five Songs on the Poems of Gwendolyn MacEwen
BRAMWELL TOVEY Ancestral Voices
JOSEPH CANTELOUBE Selections from Chants d'Auvergne
Marion Newman - Nege'ga, mezzo soprano
Caitlin Boyle, viola
Angela Park, piano
Saturday, September 20, 2025 at 3pm
88 Keys!
W.A. MOZART Fantasia in D minor, K. 397
FRÉDÉRIC CHOPIN Ballade No. 1 in G minor, Op. 23
CLARA SCHUMANN Romance Op. 21 No. 1
Scherzo No. 2 in C minor, Op. 14
FRANZ LISZT Liebestraume No. 3
DARREN SIGESMUND Regeneration (2023)
KEVIN LAU The Dreamer (2017)
The Seeker (2018)
The Brave (2024)
CLAUDE DEBUSSY L'isle joyeuse
ANTONÍN DVOŘÁK Slavonic Dances, selections for piano duo
Angela Park, piano
Young Artist: Cherilyn Yan, piano
Concert sponsor: Josée du Fretay
ORLEANS
Orleans United Church - 1111 Orleans Blvd, Orleans ON
Sunday, April 27, 2025 at 7pm
Clarinet quintet party!
Hear two masterpieces of the clarinet quintet literature!
SAMUEL COLERIDGE-TAYLOR Clarinet Quintet, Op. 10
JOHANNES BRAHMS Clarinet Quintet, Op. 115
Kimball Sykes, clarinet
Yosuke Kawasaki & Jessy Je Young Kim, violins
Tovin Allers, viola
Rachel Mercer, cello
Sunday, July 6, 2025 at 7pm
Cello quartet party!
Celebrate the cello with music from across the ages for 1, 2 and 4 celli!
CELLO QUARTET
Desiree Abbey
Julia MacLaine
Rachel Mercer
Raphael Weinroth-Browne
Young artist: Mason Song
JOHANN SEBASTIAN BACH Suite No. 1 Prelude
JOHANN SEBASTIAN BACH/ arr. LAZLO VARGA Chaconne in d minor
JANE ANTONIA CORNISH Three Nocturnes, III.
RAPHAEL WEINROTH-BROWNE Triumvirate
TOM FLAHERTY A Cellist's Variations on "Home on the Range"
MATTHIAS BARTOLOMEY Priekestolen (2018)
ASTOR PIAZZOLLA/ arr. NICK HALSEY Libertango
GEORGE GERSHWIN/WERNER THOMAS-MIFUNE Fragment
Thank you to the Ontario Arts Council for support of Season 15!
SEASON 14
HAMILTON
First Unitarian Church - 170 Dundurn St South, Hamilton ON
SAT DEC 16 @3pm: Mercer-Park Duo
Rachel Mercer, cello
Angela Park, piano
SAMUEL COLERIDGE-TAYLOR Variations
JOCELYN MORLOCK Halcyon
NADIA BOULANGER 3 Pieces for Cello & Piano
MARCEL BERGMANN Blue Autumn
REBECCA CLARKE Sonata for Cello & Piano (1919)
Sponsored by Kamran Inc. - Uri & Gisela Wittenberg
SAT FEB 3 @3pm: Piano Quartet Party!
Min Jeong Koh, violin
Caitlin Boyle, viola
Daniel Hamin Go, cello
Angela Park, piano
CLARA SCHUMANN 3 Romances Op. 22 for viola & piano
WILLIAM GRANT STILL Selections from “Seven Traceries”
JESSIE MONTGOMERY Duo for violin and cello
JOHANNES BRAHMS Piano Quartet No. 1 Opus 25 in G minor
Concert sponsor: François Verschaeve
SAT APR 27 @3pm: Szivi Saxophone Quartet
Glimmer Ng, soprano saxophone
Paula Kokot, alto saxophone
Lexi Breen, tenor saxophone
Chase Griffin, baritone saxophone
CHRIS EVAN HASS Polar Vortex
GIACOMO PUCCINI arr. CHRISTOPH ENZEL Crisantemi
JOHN MACKEY Unquiet Spirits: Movement I & II
THIERRY ESCAICH Tango Virtuoso
EUGENE BOZZA Andante et Scherzo
PHILIP GLASS Saxophone Quartet: Movement I
JOE HISAISHI arr. YUTO YAMADA Merry-Go-Round of Life
ARTURO MARQUEZ Danzón no. 5
GUILLERMO LAGO Ciudades: Sarajevo, Addis Ababa
Concert sponsor: Josée du Fretay
SAT MAY 18 @3pm: String Extravaganza XII
Scott St. John & Csaba Koczo, violin
Caitlin Boyle & Theresa Rudolph, viola
Rachel Desoer & Rachel Mercer, cello
RICHARD STRAUSS Sextet from Capriccio, Op. 85
KAREN SUNABACKA Ripples for viola and cello
SERGEI PROKOFIEV Sonata for 2 violins, Op. 56
CAROLINE SHAW Limestone & Felt for viola and cello
LUDWIG VAN BEETHOVEN String Quartet Op. 135
Concert sponsor: Daphne Payne
ORLEANS
Orleans United Church - 1111 Orleans Blvd, Orleans ON
For tickets ($20), please contact [email protected]
or
Ron Hunt: 613-298-1626 / [email protected]
SAT MAR 23 @7.30pm: Ironwood Quartet Mix
Jessica Linnebach & Emily Kruspe, violin
Carissa Klopoushak, viola
Rachel Mercer, cello
DOBRINKA TABAKOVA The Smile of the Flamboyant Wings
DMITRI SHOSTAKOVICH Quartet No. 10 Opus 118
ROBERT SCHUMANN Quartet Opus 41-3
SAT APR 6 @7.30pm: New Generations
Yosuke Kawasaki & Zhengdong Liang, violin
Tovin Allers & Jethro Marks, viola
Rachel Mercer, cello
WOLFGANG AMADEUS MOZART Duo in G major for violin and viola
IAN CUSSON The Cure of Madness for string trio
JOHANNES BRAHMS String Quintet in F major, Op. 88
SEASON 13: 2023
5 at the First in Hamilton
First Unitarian Church - 170 Dundurn St. S, Hamilton ON
SAT, JAN 14 @2PM
Violin & Viola Rhapsodies
Mayumi Seiler & Min-Jeong Koh, violins
Caitlin Boyle, viola
JOHANN SEBASTIAN BACH Chaconne
WOLFGANG AMADEUS MOZART Duo
DOROTHY CHANG Streams for Solo Viola
SERGEI PROKOFIEV Two violin duos
ANTONIN DVORAK Terzetto
Concert sponsor: François Verschaeve
SAT, FEB 18 @2PM
Hoeppner-Mercer-Park: Music for flute trio
Susan Hoeppner, flute
Rachel Mercer, cello
Angela Park, piano
GEORGE CRUMB Vox Balaenae
PHILIPPE GAUBERT Aquarelles
DOROTHY CHANG Miniatures for Flute, Cello, Piano
CLAUDE DEBUSSY Prélude à l'après-midi d'un faune for Flute and Piano
NINO ROTA Trio
Concert sponsor: Gisela and Uri Wittenberg, Kamran International
SAT, APR 8 @2PM
String Extravaganza XI
Scott St. John & Csaba Koczo, violin
Caitlin Boyle & Theresa Rudolph, viola
Rachel Desoer & Rachel Mercer, cello
SRUL IRVING GLICK Sonata Hébraïque for solo cello: IV
VIOLET ARCHER 4 Duos for violin & cello
RALPH VAUGHAN-WILLIAMS Phantasy for viola quintet
JOHANNES BRAHMS Sextet in B flat
Concert sponsor: Josée du Fretay
SAT, MAY 13 @2PM
ARC Trio: Music for viola, cello and piano
Tickets ONLINE ONLY here: https://www.universe.com/arctrio
Angela Park, piano
Caitlin Boyle, viola
Rachel Mercer, cello
OMAR DANIEL Intermezzi for solo piano
ANN SOUTHAM Re-Tuning (1985) for solo viola and tape
ADOLPHUS HAILSTORK Theme & Variations on “Draw the Sacred Circle Closer” for cello
RICCARDO DRIGO Meditazione for viola, cello and piano
ROBERT VOLKMANN Schlummerlied for viola, cello and piano
JOHANNES BRAHMS Trio Op. 114
Concert sponsor: Daphne Payne
SAT, JUNE 10 @3PM
*please note different time*
The Folk Within Us
Tickets ONLINE ONLY here: https://www.universe.com/thefolkwithinus
OBSIDIANA DUO
Camila Montefusco, mezzo-soprano
Yolanda Tapia, piano
BLAS GALINDO Tres Canciones
E. GAMBOA M’ijita
X. MONTSALVATGE Cinco Canciones Negras
A. GINASTERA Cinco Canciones populares Argentinas
A. GINASTERA Danza de la Moza Donosa
E. BRAGA Cinco Cançoes Nordestinas do Folclore Brasileiro
5 at the First in Orleans
Hosted by the Orleans United Church - 1111 Orleans Blvd, Orleans ON
For tickets ($20), please contact [email protected] or Ron Hunt at 613-298-1626 / [email protected]
SUN, APR 23 @2PM
Quartet Feature
Yosuke Kawasaki & Jessica Linnebach, violin
Carissa Klopoushak, viola
Rachel Mercer, cello
NIKOLAI KAPUSTIN String Quartet No. 1
JESSIE MONTGOMERY Rhapsody No. 1 for solo violin
FELIX MENDELSSOHN String Quartet Op. 44-1
SUN, JUNE 25 @3.30PM
Trio Feature
Angela Park, piano
Jessica Linnebach, violin
Rachel Mercer, cello
CARMEN BRADEN The Bedrock Cycles for Piano Trio
ZOLTAN KODALY Duo
JOHANNES BRAHMS Trio in C minor
SEASON 12: 2021-22
Hosted by the Orleans United Church, Orleans
SUNDAY, OCTOBER 3 @ 3.30pm EST
two & three
Watch here: https://youtu.be/II8ivncnbMg
Yosuke Kawasaki, violin
Jessica Linnebach, violin
Rachel Mercer, cello
Rebekah Cummings Our Strength, Our Song
Joseph Haydn Divertimento in B flat Hob. V: 18
Alice Ping Yee Ho Kagura Fantasy
Adriana Isabel Figueroa Manas Three Argentinian Pieces
SUNDAY, NOVEMBER 7 @ 3.30pm
A MUSICAL CELEBRATION
dedicated to Yehonatan Berick
Watch here: https://youtu.be/hkVskHfcJM4
Yosuke Kawasaki, Jessica Linnebach, Emily Kistemaker, Patrick Paradine - violin
Jethro Marks, Christoph Chung - violas
Rachel Mercer - cello
Joel Quarrington - bass
Kevin Lau Intuitions No. 2
Paquito D'Rivera Village St Quartet
Mendelssohn Octet
SUNDAY, JUNE 26 @ 2pm
Park-Linnebach-Mercer Trio
For tickets ($20), please contact [email protected]
Angela Park, piano
Jessica Linnebach, violin
Rachel Mercer, cello
Lili Boulanger 2 Pieces for Violin and Piano
Jocelyn Morlock Serpentine Paths
Fanny Mendelssohn Piano Trio in D minor, Op. 11
Rebecca Clarke Piano Trio (1921)
Thank you to the Ontario Arts Council for support of the Orleans concerts.
At the First Unitarian Church, Hamilton
In-Person concerts
Masks required, except children 5 and under.
SATURDAY, MARCH 12 @ 2.30pm
The Power of Three
CARLOS SIMON "where two or three are gathered..." for violin & cello
WESLEY HARDISTY M&M Reel for solo violin
REBECCA CLARKE Lullaby and Grotesque for viola & cello
JEAN SIBELIUS Duo in C major for violin & viola
COLERIDGE-TAYLOR PERKINSON Movement for String Trio
FRANZ SCHUBERT Trio in B flat D. 581
Yolanda Bruno, violin
Caitlin Boyle, viola
Rachel Mercer, cello
SATURDAY, MARCH 26 @ 2.30pm
Music for Flute, Harp & Viola
NINO ROTA Sarabande & Toccata for solo harp
CLAUDE DEBUSSY Trio for flute, viola and harp
MILTON BARNES Harbord Street for flute, viola and harp (1991)
FRANCOIS DEVIENNE Duo No. 3 in c minor for Flute and Viola
Sara Traficante, flute
Heidi Elise Bearcroft, harp
Caitlin Boyle, viola
SATURDAY, APRIL 30 @ 2.30pm
Music of Kevin Lau
Angela Park, piano
Scott St. John, violin
Rachel Mercer, cello
Music by Kevin Lau
The Dreamer for solo piano
Intuitions No. 2 for violin & cello
If life were a mirror... for violin & piano
Under a Veil of Stars for piano trio *World Premiere*
Concert sponsor: François Verschaeve
SATURDAY, MAY 21 @ 1pm
Spotlight on the Guitar
JEFFREY MCFADDEN Aguardiente for violin and guitar
NICCOLO PAGANINI Terzetto Concertante for guitar, viola & cello
LUIGI BOCCHERINI Guitar Quintet in D “Fandango”
Jeffrey McFadden, guitar
Sheila Jaffé & Emily Kruspe, violin
Caitlin Boyle, viola
Rachel Mercer, cello
Concert sponsors:
Bill Mercer Geological Consulting Ltd.
Uri & Gisela Wittenberg
SATURDAY, JUNE 18 @ 2.30pm
Park-Sylvestre Duo: Music for Piano 4 Hands
View or download full program HERE
JOHANNES BRAHMS Symphony No. 1
ALICE HO Heart to Heart
LUDWIG VAN BEETHOVEN Sonata in D major, Op. 6
Angela Park & Stéphan Sylvestre, piano
Concert sponsor: Daphne Payne
2020-21 SEASON 11
Concert 1: Saturday, February 6
String Extravaganza X: Tribute to Yehonatan Berick
Watch on Youtube: HERE
Music by Brahms & Hailstork
Scott St. John & Csaba Koczo, violin
Theresa Rudolph & Caitlin Boyle, viola
Rachel Mercer & Rachel Desoer, cello
Concert 2: Sunday, March 28 @ 2pm
Rachel Mercer: Live From the Living Room
A 45 minute online solo cello recital livestream plus Q&A by Artistic Director Rachel Mercer
Concert 3: Saturday, July 31 @ 4pm
Sykes/Lacroix/Mercer
Watch on Youtube: HERE
Kimball Sykes, clarinet
Frederic Lacroix, piano
Rachel Mercer, cello
PAQUITO D'RIVERA Danzon
ALBERTO GINASTERA Pampeana No. 2
SVANTE HENRYSON Off Pist
ANGEL E. LASALA Trio No. 1 (De las Serranias)
Concert 4: Saturday, Aug 7 @ 4pm
Maimets/Park/Mercer
Watch on Youtube: HERE
Kaili Maimets, flute
Angela Park, piano
Rachel Mercer, cello
UNDINE SMITH MOORE Afro-American Suite
FELIX MENDELSSOHN Trio No. 1 in d minor, Op. 49
Concert Sponsor: Josée du Fretay
2019-20 SEASON 10
SAT NOV 2 @ 3PM
Czech Tales
Smetana Piano Trio in g minor Op. 15
Dvorak Piano Trio No. 4 Op. 90 in e minor "Dumky"
Jana Skarecky "From Fear to Courage" for solo cello *
AYR TRIO
Angela Park, piano
Yehonatan Berick, violin
Rachel Mercer, cello
Sponsor: François Verschaeve
SAT JAN 4 @ 3PM
String Extravaganza IX
Kodaly Duo for violin and cello Op. 7
Bridge Lament for 2 Violas
Kristin Flores Release for violin and cello *
Mendelssohn Octet in E flat major Op. 20
5 AT THE FIRST CHAMBER PLAYERS
Yehonatan Berick & Csaba Koczo, violin
Caitlin Boyle & Theresa Rudolph, viola
Rachel Desoer & Rachel Mercer, cello
with Hannah Corbett & Duncan McDougall, violins
Sponsor: Gisela and Uri Wittenberg, Kamran International
SAT FEB 29 @ 3PM
Schubert "The Trout"
For online tickets, click HERE
Rossini Duo for cello and double bass
Mendelssohn Sonata in F minor Op. 4
Schubert Quintet in A major D. 667 "Trout"
Mayumi Seiler, violin
Joel Quarrington, double bass
Plus the AYR Trio
Sponsor: Daphne Payne
*********
CELLO EXTRAVAGANZA V has been CANCELLED
due to the situation with COVID-19. We are working on rescheduling it to next season.
Ticket refunds:
For online tickets you will receive a message and a direct refund of the ticket price.
For in person sales, contact [email protected]
Thank you for your understanding.
SUN MAR 29 @ 3:30PM * CANCELLED *
Cello Extravaganza V
A Benefit Concert for Blooms for Africa & the Hamilton Philharmonic Youth Orchestra
Hosted by award-winning singer/songwriter Suzie Vinnick
Featuring cellists from the Southern Ontario area
*******
SAT MAY 16 @ 3PM * POSTPONED * to next season
Flute Tales
Ticket refunds:
For online tickets you will receive a message and a direct refund.
Thank you for your understanding.
Schubert Flute and Piano
Hummel Trio in A major Op. 78
Michael Pepa Gusle for solo cello *
Mendelssohn Trio No. 1 in d minor Op. 49
Kaili Maimets, flute
Angela Park, piano
Rachel Mercer, cello
Sponsor: Josée du Fretay
* Canadian work
* Canadian works
2018-19 SEASON 9
Canadiana
SAT JAN 5 @ 3PM
String Extravaganza VIII
Brahms Quintet Op. 111
Schubert Quintet in C major D. 956
Yehonatan Berick & Csaba Koczo, violin
Caitlin Boyle & Theresa Rudolph, viola
Rachel Desoer & Rachel Mercer, cello
Sponsor: Gisela and Uri Wittenberg, Kamran International
SAT FEB 23 @ 1PM
The Mosaïque Project
A 14 movement suite inspired by Canada
BRAID, DAVID (Northwest Territories) Great Bear River Blues
CROALL, BARBARA (St. Lawrence Seaway and Great Lakes) Nbiidaasamishkaamin/We Come Paddling Here
DOIRON, JULIE arr. Andrew Creeggan (New Brunswick) Blessed
DOWNING, ANDREW (Manitoba) Red River Fantasy
FUNG, VIVIAN (Alberta) Shifting Landscapes
GILBERT, NICOLAS (Québec) Ilôts
LAU, KEVIN (Yukon) Race to the Midnight Sun
LIZÉE, NICOLE (Saskatchewan) The Bessborough Hotel
MASCALL, RICHARD (Ontario) Petroglyphs
MOUSSA, SAMY (Nunavut) Orpheus in Nunavut
ROWSON, WILLIAM (Nova Scotia) Short Variations on Waves
SIGESMUND, DARREN (Prince Edward Island) Kensington Ceilidh
SLEAN, SARAH (Newfoundland) Jonny Pippy of Pouch Cove, on a Bicycle at Dawn
SOKOLOVIĆ, ANA (British Columbia) Splendor Sine Occasu
ENSEMBLE MADE IN CANADA
Angela Park, piano
Elissa Lee, violin
Sharon Wei, viola
Rachel Mercer, cello
Sponsor: Daphne Payne
SAT APR 13 @ 3PM
Music of Canadian Women
Violet Archer Four Duets
Jean Coulthard Duo Sonata
Barbara Monk Feldman Pour un nuage violet
Alice Ho Kagura Fantasy **
Rebekah Cummings Our Strength, Our Song **
Jocelyn Morlock Serpentine Paths **
**WORLD PREMIERES
Mercer Duo
Akemi Mercer-Niewohener, violin
Rachel Mercer, cello
Sponsor: François Verschaeve
SAT JUNE 15
3pm: Beethoven Blowout I
Beethoven Sonata No. 1 in F major, Op. 5-1
Andrew Downing Five Little Pieces
Beethoven Sonata No. 2 in G minor, Op. 5-2
Raphael Weinroth-Browne Triumvirate
7pm:Beethoven Blowout II
LUDWIG VAN BEETHOVEN Sonata No. 4 in C major, Op. 102-1
MATT BRUBECK Entsprechung
LUDWIG VAN BEETHOVEN Sonata No. 5 in D major, Op. 102-2
HUNTER COBLENTZ Two Cellos, Dilations
FJOLA EVANS Ridge & Furrow
LUDWIG VAN BEETHOVEN Sonata No. 3 in A major
MERCER-PARK DUO
Angela Park, piano
Rachel Mercer, cello
VC2 CELLO DUO
Amahl Arulanandam, cello
Bryan Holt, cello
Sponsors: Carlos Markyna & June Caskey-Markyna, Bill Mercer Geological Consulting
2017-18 SEASON 8
SATURDAY OCTOBER 7 @ 3PM
The Voice of the Flute: Leslie Newman, flute
with Roman Borys, cello & Jeanie Chung, piano
Joseph Schwantner Black Anemones
Francis Poulenc Vocalise-Étude
*Barbara Monk Feldman The Loons of Black Sturgeon Lake (for solo flute)*
Sergei Prokofiev Sonata in D major, Op. 94
Heitor Villa Lobos Assobio a Jato
Carl Maria von Weber Trio in g-minor, Op. 63
SATURDAY JANUARY 13 @ 3PM
Piano Trio Masters: AYR Trio
Angela Park, piano
Yehonatan Berick, violin
Rachel Mercer, cello
Beethoven Piano Trio in D major, Op. 70 No. 1 "Ghost"
*Andrew Staniland Solstice Songs*
Brahms Trio No. 2 Op. 87 in C major
SATURDAY FEBRUARY 10 @ 3PM
The Romance of Josef Suk: Ensemble Made In Canada
Angela Park, piano
Elissa Lee, violin
Sharon Wei, viola
Rachel Mercer, cello
*Roger Knox Beginnings for viola and cello*
Bruch Romanze for viola and piano Op. 85
Clara Schumann Romances for violin and piano
Faure Romance for cello and piano Op. 69
Suk Piano Quartet Op. 1
SATURDAY MARCH 31 @ 3PM
String Extravaganza VII
Yehonatan Berick & Csaba Koczo, violin
Caitlin Boyle & Theresa Rudolph, viola
Alastair Eng & Rachel Mercer, cello
Arensky String Quartet No. 2 in a minor for violin, viola & 2 celli
*Jocelyn Morlock Blue Sun for violin and viola*
Dohnanyi String Sextet in B flat major
SATURDAY MAY 5 @ 3PM
Three Voices: Twelve Strings
Yehonatan Berick, violin
Jethro Marks, viola
Rachel Mercer, cello
Mozart Divertimento in E flat major, K. 563
Reger String Trio No. 1 in a minor Op. 77b
*Abigail Richardson-Schulte NEW WORK "Ein Kleines Trio" WORLD PREMIERE*
2016-17 Season 7
SUNDAY SEPTEMBER 11 @ 2PM
String Extravaganza VI: 2+2+2=6
5 at the First Chamber Players
Yehonatan Berick & Csaba Koczo, violins
Caitlin Boyle & Theresa Rudolph, violas
Rachel Desoer & Rachel Mercer, cellos
Beethoven Eyeglasses Duo WoO 32 for viola and cello
* Gary Kulesha Pro et Contra for violin and cello
Handel-Halvorsen Passacaglia for violin and viola
Korngold Sextet in D major, Op. 10
SATURDAY OCTOBER 29 @ 3PM
Darren Sigesmund Strands Ensemble (jazz)
Darren Sigesmund, trombone, bandleader
Valeria Matzner, vocals
Luis Deniz, alto sax
Michael Davidson, vibraphone
Reg Schwager, guitar
Jim Vivian, bass
Ethan Ardelli, drums
SATURDAY JANUARY 28 @ 3PM
AYR Piano Trio
Angela Park, piano
Yehonatan Berick, violin
Rachel Mercer, cello
Haydn "Gypsy" Trio in g minor Hob XV:25
Bach Suite No. 3 in C major
Ysaye Sonata No. 3 "Ballade"
Schubert Trio No. 2 in E flat Op. 100 D. 929
SATURDAY MARCH 4 @ 3PM
Sound the Trumpet...and Violin!
Bethany Bergman, violin
Michael Fedyshyn, trumpet
Angela Park, piano
Rachel Mercer, cello
Biber Sonata IV in C major for trumpet, violin and continuo
Mozart Duo in G major K. 423 for violin and cello
* Milton Barnes "Last Act" A Theatre Piece for trumpet & Piano (CDN)
Eric Ewazen Trio for trumpet, violin & piano
Piazzolla Tangos for ensemble
SUNDAY APRIL 2 @ 3.30PM
CELLO EXTRAVAGANZA IV
A benefit concert for Blooms for Africa & the Ann Vallentyne Scholarship
SATURDAY MAY 20 @ 3PM
Ensemble Made In Canada & Joseph Phillips
Angela Park, piano
Elissa Lee, violin
Sharon Wei, viola
Rachel Mercer, cello
& Joseph Phillips, bass
Bach Suite No. 2 in d minor (bass)
Rossini Duo in D major for cello and bass
* Kelly-Marie Murphy "Four Degrees of Freedom" (CDN)
Vaughan Williams Piano Quintet in c minor
2015-16 Season 6
"Connections"
October 10, 2015
Violin Mix & Mania
Stephen Sitarski & Lance Ouellette, violins
November 28, 2015
Payadora Tango Ensemble
Rebekah Wolkstein, violin
Joseph Phillips, bass
Branko Džinović, accordion
Tom King, piano
January 23, 2016
Brahms & Friends
Guy Yehuda, clarinet
Peter Longworth, piano
Rachel Mercer, cello
Brahms Sonata in E flat Op. 120 No. 2
* Ka Nin Chan "Among Friends"
Brahms Clarinet Trio in a minor Op. 114
April 23, 2016
String Extravaganza V: Back to Brahms
5 at the First Chamber Players
Yehonatan Berick & Csaba Koczo, violins
Caitlin Boyle & Theresa Rudolph, violas
Rachel Desoer & Rachel Mercer, cellos
Schubert Trio in B flat major D. 471
Dohnanyi Serenade for String Trio
Brahms Sextet No. 1 in B flat major Op. 18
May 21, 2016
Different Romances
Shannon Mercer, soprano
Andrew Burashko, piano
Yehonatan Berick, violin
Rachel Mercer, cello
* John Burge Pas de Deux
Shostakovich Trio No. 2
Shostakovich Seven Romances on Poems by Alexander Blok Op. 127
2014-15 Season 5
"A Sharper Focus"
***Sunday, October 19, 3.30pm***
***Cello Exgtravaganza III***
Presented by 5 at the First and the Hamilton Cello Club
A benefit concert for Blooms for Africa (The Stephen Lewis Foundation) and An Instrument For Every Child
Featuring music from Bach to contemporary, classical to pop, including new Canadian music and improvisation, with cellists of all ages in solos, ensembles and an 100-piece mass cello choir!
Saturday, November 29, 2.30pm
Angela Park, piano
Schumann Davidsbündlertänze (Dances of the League of David) Op. 6
* John Burge Everything Waits For The Lilacs (1996)
Liszt Selections from Années de pèlerinage, Book I: Suisse
Saturday, January 10, 2.30pm
String Extravaganza IV: Czech Celebration
5 at the First Chamber Players
Yehonatan Berick & Csaba Koczo, violin
Caitlin Boyle & Theresa Rudolph, viola
Rachel Desoer & Rachel Mercer, cello
Pichl Duo for Viola and Cello
Martinu Duo No. 2 for Violin and Cello
Dvorak Terzetto
Dvorak Sextet Op. 48 in A major
Saturday, March 7, 2.30pm
Purcell: Dido and Aeneas
co-produced by the Gallery Players of Niagara and Hamilton's Capella Intima
Capella Intima
Jenny Enns Modolo
Sheila Dietrich
Emily Klassen
Bud Roach
David Roth
Gallery Players of Niagara
Julie Baumgartel - violin
Rona Goldensher - violin
Brandon Chui - viola
Margaret Gay - ‘cello
Borys Medicky - harpsichord
Saturday, April 11, 2.30pm
triOH
The Mercer-Oh Trio
Gregory Oh, piano
Akemi Mercer-Niewoehner, violin
Rachel Mercer, cello
Haydn Trio
* Jean Lesage Le Projet Mozart (Canadian)
Smetana Trio Op. 15 in g minor
Saturday, May 30, 2.30pm
The Clarinet Quintet
5 at the First Chamber Players
Yao Guang Zhai, clarinet
Marie Berard & Yehonatan Berick, violin
Teng Li, viola
Rachel Mercer, cello
Mozart Clarinet Quintet in A major K. 581
Brahms Clarinet Quintet in B minor Op. 115
2013-14 Season 4
"Strength In Numbers"
Saturday, September 14, 7.30pm
String Extravaganza III
Yehonatan Berick & Csaba Koczó, violin
Caitlin Boyle & Theresa Rudolph, viola
Rachel Desoer & Rachel Mercer, cello
Mozart Sinfonia Concertante for String Sextet
Schoenberg Verklaerte Nacht
Saturday, December 7, 7.30pm
Ensemble Made In Canada
Angela Park, piano
Elissa Lee, violin
Sharon Wei, viola
Rachel Mercer, cello
Ravel Duo
* John Burge String Theory
Faure Piano Quartet No. 2 Op. 45 in g minor
Saturday, January 11, 12.30pm
Quartet Atlantik
Yehonatan Berick & Akemi Mercer, violin
Dirk Niewoehner, viola
Rachel Mercer, cello
Haydn Quartet Op. 55 No. 2 in f minor "Razor"
John Zorn "Cat O' Nine Tails"
Dvorak Quartet No. 14 in A flat major Op.105
Saturday, Feburary 22, 7.30pm
Yao Guang Zhai, clarinet
with Angela Park, piano &
Rachel Mercer, cello
Debussy Rhapsody for clarinet and piano
Solo music for clarinet
Beethoven Trio in B flat major Op. 11
Saturday April 12, 7.30pm
Annual Benefit Concert - Cello Bellas
Featuring a cello sextet of Hamilton area cello stars!
Saturday, May 24, 2.30pm
Music and Stories
Ensemble SOL
Jennie Such, narrator
Vanessa May-lok Lee, piano
Jan Owens, trombone
Quinsin Nachoff, clarinet
Poulenc L'histoire de Babar
Paul Harris Cat and Mouse
Christopher Kies The Amazing Bone
Colin Cowles A Rattlesnake Rag
2012-13 Season 3
“Contrasts”
Sunday, September 30, 3.30pm
Water Journeys
Sara Traficante, flute
Shoshana Telner, piano
Rachel Mercer, cello
Carl Reinecke Flute Sonata "Undine"
Carl Vine Flute Sonata
Showpieces for flute and piano
* Jaques Hetu Aria
Crumb Vox Balaenae for flute, cello and piano
Wednesday, November 21, 7.30pm
Alone and Together
Mercer-Park Duo
Rachel Mercer, cello
Angela Park, piano
Bach Suite No. 3 for Solo Cello in C major
Beethoven Sonata No. 21 in C major Op. 53 "Waldstein"
Duo music of Schumann, Debussy & Piazzolla
Saturday, January 5, 7.30pm
Romantic Expressions
Yehonatan Berick & Csaba Koczó, violin
Caitlin Boyle & Theresa Rudolph, viola
Rachel Desoer & Rachel Mercer, cello
Brahms Sextet No. 2 in G major Op. 36
Tchaikovsky Souvenir de Florence
Sunday, February 17, 3.30pm
Strauss to Sondheim...and then some
Gregory Oh, piano
Alex Samaras, vocals
Bram Gielen, jazz bass & composer
* Saturday, April 13 7.30pm *
* Special Benefit Concert *
Saturday, May 25, 7.30pm
From Darkness to Light
The Seiler Trio
Angela Park, piano
Mayumi Seiler, violin
Rachel Mercer, cello
Works by Piazzolla
Schubert Trio No. 2 in E flat D. 929
2011-12 Season 2
"Love"
Friday, September 23, 7.30pm
Struggles of Love
Caitlin Boyle, viola
Angela Park, piano
Schumann Fantasiestücke, Op. 73
Vaughan Williams Romance for Viola and Piano
Prokofiev Selected Pieces from the ballet "Romeo and Juliet"
Stravinsky Elegy for Solo Viola
Brahms Sonata for Viola and Piano in Eb Major, Op. 120 No. 2
Wednesday, November 9, 7.30pm
Brooding Composers
Ensemble Made In Canada
Angela Park, piano
Elissa Lee, violin
Sharon Wei, viola
Rachel Mercer, cello
Mahler Piano Quartet in a minor (1876)
Mozart Piano Quartet No. 1 in g minor K 478
Brahms Piano Quartet Op. 25 in g minor
Saturday, December 3, 7.30pm
Special Benefit Concert
Sunday, January 22, 3.30pm
String Extravaganza - Couples
Yehonatan Berick, violin
Csaba Koczó, violin
Theresa Rudolph, viola
Caitlin Boyle, viola
Rachel Mercer, cello
Rachel Desoer, cello
Piston Duo for viola and cello
Villa-Lobos Two Chôros bis (1928) for violin and cello
Martinu hree Madrigals for violin and viola
Brahms Sextet No. 1 in B flat major Op. 18
Saturday, April 7, 7.30pm
Composers' Love Lives
Akemi Mercer, violin
Dirk Niewoehner, viola
Martinu 3 Madrigale for violine and viola
Bach Partita Nr. 2, BWV 1004, for violin solo in d minor
Ysaÿe Sonate pour viola solo (orig. violon) op. 27 Nr. 4
Rolla Gran Duetto concertato a violino e viola op. 7 Nr. 2 in Es-Dur
Sunday May 27, 3.30pm
For the Love of Music
Anwar Khurshid, sitar
Rachel Mercer, cello
Joseph Phillips, bass
Rossini Duo for cello and bass in D major
Solo sitar improvisation
* New works for sitar, cello and bass by Anwar Khurshid, with Rachel Mercer and Joe Phillips