Rose Gellert Hall Season Finale

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Monday, May 11, 2015

Season Finale Packs Punch with ‘Pictures,’ Pianos and Percussion

The Langley Community Music School (LCMS) season finale of the Rose Gellert Concert Hall series will deliver dazzling, original performances of the great masterpieces: Mussorgsky’s “Pictures from an Exhibition,” Gershwin’s “An American in Paris” and Bernstein’s “West Side Story.” Performed by the electrifying South Surrey residents Bergmann Piano Duo (Marcel & Elizabeth Bergmann) and accompanied by Vancouver Symphony Orchestra (VSO) principal percussionist Vern Griffiths and VSO principal timpanist Aaron MacDonald, this Piano-Percussion ensemble will not only pack punch, but also pack them into Rose Gellert Concert Hall at 7:30 pm on Saturday evening, May 22, 2015.

Spend an evening feeling the pictures of these three distinct periods in time. Transport yourself back to the romantic period and experience the flavor of Russian history and folklore with Modest Mussorgsky’s “Pictures from an Exhibition.” Imagine the sights and energy of the French capital in the 1920s with George Gershwin’s 1928 jazz-influenced symphonic poem, “An American in Paris.” Experience the romantic tragedy of “West Side Story,” Leonard Bernstein’s famed American musical, set in the mid-1950s ethnic, blue-collar neighborhood of New York City.

“From Mussorgsky’s visionary and unique masterpiece, ‘Pictures from an Exhibition’ to Gershwin’s light-hearted and poetic ‘American in Paris’ to selections of Bernstein’s seminal musical ‘West Side Story’, we are presenting an array of familiar classics from a new and fresh perspective,” says Elizabeth Bergmann of the Bergmann Piano Duo. This particular performance will be especially vibrant, combining piano with percussion. Bergmann continues, “We have always enjoyed collaborating with percussionists and are very excited about the upcoming program that features some of the most energetic and powerful music in this two piano and percussion rendition.”

Described as artists who present “razzle dazzle” and “electrifyingly rendered” recitals, according to The Vancouver Sun, the Bergmann Piano Duo, Marcel and Elizabeth Bergmann, have touched and inspired audiences with their uniquely eclectic programs for more than two decades. As international prize-winners, including the Dranoff International Two Piano Competition and Provincia di Caltanisetta International Chamber Music Competition, they have performed in recital and with orchestras across North America and Europe, including recent appearances in Munich and the Concertgebouw in Amsterdam. Marcel and Elizabeth Bergmann are Directors at the Langley Community Music School. Learn more at bergmannduo.com.

Principal Percussionist of the Vancouver Symphony Orchestra (VSO), Vern Griffiths, is a respected performer, educator and collaborator. He has been a member of the CBC Radio Orchestra, and also currently plays with two new music chamber groups: Standing Wave and the Turning Point Ensemble. Vern can be heard on recordings with all of these groups, as well as on soundtracks for Disney, ABC, IMAX, NFB, EA Sports, and Dreamworks.

Principal Timpanist of the Vancouver Symphony Orchestra (VSO), Aaron MacDonald, is also principal timpanist of the Lake Tahoe Summerfest Orchestra and formerly timpanist with the West Virginia Symphony. He has also performed and toured with the Cleveland Orchestra, Los Angeles Philharmonic, Indianapolis Symphony, and the Buffalo Philharmonic. Since moving to Vancouver he has performed with the VSO Chamber Players, Turning Point Ensemble, and Music on Main Concert Series. As a soloist he has performed concertos with the VSO, Calgary Philharmonic, and the Lake Tahoe Summerfest Orchestra.

“This is going to be a stunning performance,” says LCMS principal Susan Magnussan. “This piano-percussion ensemble, combined with these famous theatrical music works, packs the power and the punch that makes for a great show.”

Tickets are $22 for adults, $20 for seniors, $16 for students, and $10 for LCMS students. Call the box office at 604-534-2848 or visit langleymusic.com purchase tickets. The Rose Gellert Hall is located at 4899 207 Street, Langley, BC.

ABOUT LANGLEY COMMUNITY MUSIC SCHOOL
Langley Community Music School (LCMS) is a non-profit organization and registered charity that is committed to providing the highest quality of musical education to students of all ages and levels, from early learning to pre-professional and adult programs. With the support of the community, LCMS has become one of the largest non-profit music schools in the province, earning both national and international acclaim for their comprehensive and innovative programs. Learn more about LCMS programs, scholarships and bursaries.

The Langley Community Music School hosts multiple musical concerts from October to May, including the Rose Gellert Hall Series, an evening concert series featuring renowned Canadian and international musicians, as well as the Concerts Café Classico Series, an afternoon concert series featuring stellar local and touring musicians playing classical, jazz or contemporary works.

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