As part of our 32nd season, we welcomed Symphony Nova Scotia violinist Mark Lee and local prize-winning pianist Cindy Thong to the Lilian Piercey Concert Hall in Halifax for the third evening of our 32nd season. For this dynamic program, this distinctive duo performed Ludwig van Beethoven's beautifully lyrical Sonata No. 5 in F major, Opus 24 Spring, the haunting Vocalise, Opus 34, No. 13 by Sergei Rachmaninoff, which was originally written for high voice and piano but here is performed on violin and piano, and Claude Debussy's waltz La plus que lente, L. 121. The artists performed the six movements of Béla Bartók's Romanian Folk Dances, Sz. 56, BB 68, which were originally played on shepherd's flute, and finished this beautiful evening with the demanding Sonata No. 2 in A major, Op. 100 Thun or Meistersinger by composer Johannes Brahms. In addition to his work with our local symphony, violinist Mark Lee has also worked with the London Symphony Orchestra and the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra and has performed widely as a chamber musician. Pianist Cindy Thong has performed extensively throughout Europe and, among other studies, is currently pursuing a doctoral degree in piano performance. Hosted by Jules Chamberlain. We acknowledge the support of Arts Nova Scotia. Program notes can be found on our website ceciliaconcerts.ca.

For more than thirty years Cecilia Concerts has been presenting world-class, diverse classical music experiences in welcoming, intimate settings that connect our community, educate and inspire audiences and artists, and enhance the city of Halifax’s rich heritage and culture. To make a donation to Cecilia Concerts please visit our website ceciliaconcerts.ca/donate. 

Cecilia Concerts acknowledges that our performances take place in Mi’kma’ki, the ancestral and unceded territory of the Mi’kmaq People. This territory is covered by the “Treaties of Peace and Friendship” which Mi’kmaq and Wolastoqiyik People first signed with the British Crown in 1725. The treaties did not deal with the surrender of lands and resources but in fact recognized Mi’kmaq and Wolastoqiyik title and established the rules for what was to be an ongoing relationship between nations. We are all Treaty people. 

Charitable Registration Number: 894903012RR0001

As part of our 32nd season, we welcomed cellist David Liam Roberts and pianist LaLa Lee to our stage in Halifax's Lilian Piercey Concert Hall for a socially-distanced but riveting program of works that included Luigi Boccherini’s challenging Cello Sonata in A major, G. 4, Robert Schumann’s simple but boldly expressive Five Pieces in Folk Style, and Frédéric Chopin's dazzling Introduction and Polonaise brillante in C major, Op. 3. The pair also performed Christos Hatzis’ coaxing and dramatic Atonement, which impressively fuses tango, jazz elements, and a Jewish theme, as well as Swiss-born composer Ernest Bloch’s From Jewish Life: Prayer, a work that captures the complex, ardent Jewish spirit and soul. Known for his extraordinary technique and sincerely communicative performances, Métis cellist David Liam Roberts is quickly establishing himself as one of the most exciting Canadian cellists of his generation. A local audience favorite, pianist LaLa Lee has delighted audiences worldwide as well with solo, chamber, and orchestral performances. Both artists have been featured on CBC Music’s list of Canada’s “30 Hot Classical Musicians under 30”. Hosted by Jules Chamberlain. We acknowledge the support of Arts Nova Scotia. Program notes can be found on our website ceciliaconcerts.ca.

For more than thirty years Cecilia Concerts has been presenting world-class, diverse classical music experiences in welcoming, intimate settings that connect our community, educate and inspire audiences and artists, and enhance the city of Halifax’s rich heritage and culture. To make a donation to Cecilia Concerts please visit our website ceciliaconcerts.ca/donate. 

Cecilia Concerts acknowledges that our performances take place in Mi’kma’ki, the ancestral and unceded territory of the Mi’kmaq People. This territory is covered by the “Treaties of Peace and Friendship” which Mi’kmaq and Wolastoqiyik People first signed with the British Crown in 1725. The treaties did not deal with the surrender of lands and resources but in fact recognized Mi’kmaq and Wolastoqiyik title and established the rules for what was to be an ongoing relationship between nations. We are all Treaty people. 

Charitable Registration Number: 894903012RR0001