The Royal Conservatory of Music (RCM) in Toronto really knows how to throw an anniversary party! The full house who braved the frosty November weather was rewarded with three Canadian premieres of hidden classical gems by Friedrich Block, composed during the mid-20th century, a performance by stellar Canadian concert chamber musicians who have also served as principals in leading orchestras around the world, and by up and coming performers on the Canadian concert scene.
Members of the RCM Faculty, CBC recording crew, friends, and devotees of the ARC Ensemble were warmly greeted by Alexander Brose (CEO and President Designate of the RCM), Simon Wynberg (the Artistic Director of the ARC, a musicologist, performer and chamber music festival director) and RCM Board member Dr. David Goldbloom O.C., M.D., FRCPC, (noted psychiatrist and mental health advocate with a keen and longstanding appreciation for classical music that has served the arts community well).
Who is ARC?
Violinist Erika Raum (Photo by Stuart Lowe)
One of the many notable initiatives of Dr. Peter Simon, outgoing President, and CEO of the RCM was surely the creation of the ARC Ensemble in 2003. The objective was to create a group who would serve as international cultural ambassadors for the Royal Conservatory, and dedicate themselves to unearthing and performing lost classical masterpieces. This mission has picked up steam with each resoundingly successfully performance and recording. The three-time Grammy Award nominated ensemble comprises senior members of the RCM’s Glenn Gould School, where they are a chamber group in residence, and enjoys an international reputation as performers and recording artists on the Chandos label.
The members’ biographies read like a “who’s who” of the Canadian musical scene. Erika Raum, violinist (daughter of well-known composer Elizabeth Raum), is on staff at the University of Toronto and the Glenn Gould School. Marie Berard, violinist, is concert master of the Canadian Opera Company in addition to being an active chamber musician. Steven Dann has served as principal violist of many orchestras across Canada and beyond, and is actively engaged as a chamber musician, soloist, and teacher. Thomas Wiebe received his Doctor of Music from Yale, and is a regular on the international orchestral and chamber music scene. He is also on faculty at Western University. David Liam Roberts holds the Temerty Fellowship at the Glenn Gould School, and is a regular extra with the Toronto Symphony Orchestra. Joaquim Valdepanas is principal clarinetist with the TSO, a prolific recording artist and the recipient of multiple Juno awards. Pianist Kevin Ahfat’s concert schedule is a testament to his vigorous command of his instrument and repertoire. Artistic Director of the Arc Ensemble, Simon Wynberg, is an accomplished performer and musicologist. Earlier this year, Wynberg was inducted into CBC’s Concert Hall of Fame, honouring his work with Arc Ensemble in the event of their 20th Anniversary.
Wynberg Recaptures Hidden Gems
Pianist Kevin Afhat and clarinetist Joaquim Valdepanas (Photo by Stuart Lowe)
By way of introduction, Wynberg took the stage before the performance began, to give thanks to the RCM, the CBC, the ARC’s phenomenal performers and manager Jessica Wright. His opening remarks provided context for the program. As he has eloquently set out in the very thorough and well-researched program notes, the concert showcased the chamber works of two composers whose careers were abruptly and forcibly truncated during WW II.
Walter Braunfels (1882-1954) was a prolific composer and music educator who trained in law and economics in Munich, before taking up a career in music. His works were well received before and after the war. ARC performed Braunfels’ String Quintet in F Sharp Minor, op. 63 for 2 violins, a viola and 2 cellos, in 4 movements. Melancholic and chromatic, it shows strains of folkloric influences. This work has been previously recorded and is steadily making its way into mainstream classical repertoire. The performance was very well received by the audience.
Composer Frederick Block (1899- 1945) fled Austria before the Nazi invasion of 1938, to establish an eclectic career in the U.S. His works cross over between classical styles and film scores. His life (lived towards the end “like a houseplant” according to the program notes), was marked by a sense of foreboding and depression that spurred a prolific output.
Highlights
Clarinetist Joaquim Valdepanas (Photo by Stuart Lowe)
Audience expectations were high, given the global reputation of the performers and their previous recordings. Pianist Kevin Ahfat’s magnificent playing throughout the evening demonstrated technical facility balanced with lyricism. In their duo, pianist Ahfat and Clarinetist Valdepenas set a high bar of excellence as far as their collaboration, shaping phrases, and providing natural dialogue. Never percussive, always sensitively in synch, their work together was expertly focused and thought out. The pairing of two violins, a viola, and one or even two celli made for a very dark sound. Violist Steven Dann’s lyricism and warm viola playing throughout the evening tempered the seemingly relentless intensity of the music’s often dark yearning, sustaining the buildup while avoiding burnout out. The cello was animated and passionate while each of the violinists were in top form, their sensitivity and drive ringing through the hall.
The applause was generous and well deserved. Continued recognition of these composers as part of mainstream classical chamber music is well warranted. More will come from ARC as Wednesday night’s concert was recorded by the CBC, and the subject matter will be aired on CBC’s Ideas, December 19, 2023.
Looking forward to reporting on the next 20-year anniversary celebration, and until then, to experiencing the magic of musical discovery in the years to come.
Royal Conservatory of Music
rcmusic.comARC Ensemble
rcmusic.com/performance/arc-ensemble
