Pianist Bruce Vogt in Concert

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Monday, September 11, 2016

Pianist Bruce Vogt Imagines Beethoven and Debussy as Purgatory Mates at LCMS Concerts Café Classico Season Opener

Imagine eternal rivals, the classical masters Beethoven and Debussy, condemned to purgatory until they learn to respect — even love — each other’s music. Watch the otherworldly dialogue unfold as world-renowned pianist Bruce Vogt portrays these musical giants in his one-man play, “Beethoven and Debussy: Purgatory Mates,” at the season opener of the Langley Community Music School (LCMS) Concerts Café Classico concert, coffee, and commentary at 2:30 pm Sunday afternoon, September 24, 2017.

This fictional presentation, born out of poet W. H. Auden’s parlour game called “Purgatory Mates,” features Bruce Vogt as himself, as well as his representations of Beethoven and Debussy, but with “no props, no costumes, only subtle changes of register,” says Vogt. “The programme is in three parts with the dialogue in the form of a play. There will be a short break and then comes Debussy’s Images: Book 2. Then another short break followed by Beethoven’s last sonata, No. 32, Op. 111.”

The event starts at 2:30 pm with a pre-concert conversation with Bruce Vogt, hosted by LCMS artistic director Elizabeth Bergmann. This commentary will feature the inspiration behind this unique performance and explore some highlights of Vogt’s acclaimed career. There will be a short break with coffee and refreshments, before the performance from 3:30 pm to 4:30 pm.

Pianist Bruce Vogt is an internationally celebrated musician and current Professor, Head of Piano, at the University of Victoria’s school of Music. A global performer and recording artist, Vogt’s talents have been celebrated as “technical perfection paired with emotional expressiveness” in Germany, “rare grandeur” in London, and “a virtuoso” in Paris. Equally revered as a teacher, Vogt’s students cite his unique instruction as going “far beyond the instrument itself to permeate one’s entire life and thought.” Learn more about Bruce Vogt at: brucevogt.com

LCMS Artistic Director Elizabeth Bergmann says, “This is going to be a very intriguing performance. While the music is sure to be impeccable, this unique play-like dialogue adds a whole new dimension into the performance.” Vogt adds that “one doesn’t usually put [Beethoven and Debussy] together” but drawing on insights into their lives, Vogt is able to take audiences on a journey through purgatory from opposing rivalry to enlightened appreciation.

Tickets for this Concerts Café Classico event are $18 for adults, $15 for seniors and $10 for students. Those who want to save 15{c572b0f9119e1bde96576dd45320114621b80a7658e421d219fa1daa6473e46d} off regular ticket prices may be interested in a Seasons Pass (which includes 6 concerts) at $92 for adults, $77 for seniors, and $59 for students. A Concerts Café Classico flex pass is also available that gives access to any four concerts in the series for $65 adults and $54 seniors. Additional discounts for subscribers feature 10{c572b0f9119e1bde96576dd45320114621b80a7658e421d219fa1daa6473e46d} off for friends and family single tickets. Call the box office at 604-534-2848. The Rose Gellert Hall is located at 4899 207 Street, Langley, BC.

CONCERT LINE-UP 2017-2018
Mark your calendars for this and other upcoming concerts.

The Concerts Café Classico season includes:
• September 24, 2017 — Bruce Vogt, piano, performs “Beethoven and Debussy: Purgatory Mates.”
• October 29, 2017 — Clayton Leung, viola, and Lisa Tahara, piano, perform Bruch, Gershwin and more.
• November 19, 2017 — LCMS Contemporary Faculty and vocalists perform contemporary music drawn from jazz and pop.
• March 4, 2018 — Joan Blackman, violin, Francois Houle, clarinet, and Jane Hayes, piano, perform “Sea and Sky,” a program inspired by dance and folk-song.
• April 29, 2018 — British cellist Michael Kevin Jones with Bruce Vogt, piano, perform “The B’s of Classical Music” — Bach, Beethoven and Brahms.
• May 25, 2018 — Rose Gellert String Quartet performs the Concerts Café Classico season finale.

The Rose Gellert Hall concert season includes:
• October 14, 2017 — Borealis String Quartet performs “Bohemian Sounds,” and are joined by the Bergmann Piano Duo.
• January 27, 2018 — Gryphon Trio performs chamber music ranging from traditional to contemporary.
• February 17, 2018 — Jan Lisiecki, piano, performs Chopin, Schumann and Ravel.
• April 14, 2018 — The Brad Turner Trio (Brad Turner, piano; Darren Radtke, bass; and Bernie Arai, drums) performs jazz from Turner’s masterful new CD.

View full descriptions online at https://langleymusic.com/concerts-events/

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, a Saturday evening concert featuring renowned Canadian and international musicians, as well as the Concerts Café Classico Series, a Sunday afternoon concert series featuring stellar local and touring musicians playing classical, jazz or contemporary works.

Visit langleymusic.com or call 604-534-2848.

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