More ‘exceptional musicians’ coming to Cobourg to share unique project
COBOURG — Another four distinguished artists will be making their way to the Loft Cinema stage later this month.
On Feb. 24, residents can expect performances by cellist Rachel Mercer, pianist Angela Park and violinists Elissa Lee and Sharon Wei, as the Les AMIS Concerts series brings the Ensemble Made in Canada’s unique Mosaïque Project to town.
“We are blessed that local composer Michael Pepa can bring such fine musicians, his friends and sometimes former students to our town as part of his Les AMIS Concert series,” says Ken Prue, owner of the Loft Cinema, who also serves as a producer on many art projects.
These artists are described as veterans of the international concert stage, having performed in solo concerts and with chamber groups and leading orchestras worldwide. Their show starts at 3 p.m. on Sunday, Feb. 24.
And in an interesting twist, these artists will be making the audience a part of their program, with attendees drawing while they listen. These sketches will then be submitted and added to the Mosaïque Project website, which showcases audiences’ artwork inspired by the musical commission at the time.
“I love that Ensemble Made in Canada’s Loft concert will be interactive,” said Prue. “Like sketchy jazz artists, we will all be invited to riff with pen and paper, based on how the music moves us.
“I love that. We’ll be like kids. Picasso would be so proud.”
The project consists of three components. These components include a newly commissioned suite of piano quartets by 14 Canadian composers, with each inspired by a particular region of Canada, a national concert tour throughout the 2018-2020 season, and then the specially designed website showcasing the audience-generated artwork inspired by the music.
The goal of the project is to celebrate the “diversity and richness of Canada through the eyes and ears of its people.”
The pieces for the project have been written by critically-acclaimed composers. Many are Juno winners or nominees.