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Classical concerts season ends on a high note with pianist Welch

Performance features the works of some impressive composers
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Luke Welch at the piano. (Photo submitted)

It’s the last concert of the season and couldn’t end on a better note for Chemainus Classical Concerts than with ‘Ebony and Ivory’ with Luke Welch on the piano.

“We are so fortunate that returning pianist Luke Welch has included Chemainus in his album release tour,” noted Rykie Avenant, artistic co-director for Chemainus Classical Concerts.

“His idea of promoting black classical composers was born during the pandemic and, after a full year of researching the work of Samuel Coleridge-Taylor and sourcing the original scores, Luke has produced his new album and is ready to share it with his audience.”

Patrons thoroughly enjoyed Welch’s previous appearance in Chemainus in 2017 and are in for another treat.

Related story: Longtime pianist performs at St. Michael’s Church

Welch performs Sunday, June 11 at 2 p.m. at St. Michael’s Church in Chemainus, 2858 Mill St.

Tickets are $20 in advance by calling Eleanor Montour at 250-748-8383. Tickets are also available at the door for $25 apiece and $10 for Under 18.

Toronto-based pianist Welch will present an exciting collection of works by Handel, Chopin and Coleridge-Taylor. Since his first public performance at age seven, Welch has performed extensively on the international stage and is highly sought-after as both an interdisciplinary collaborative pianist and pedagogue.

Coleridge-Taylor (1875-1912) was a British highly-revered composer in England and the United States during his lifetime.

The first half of Welch’s program focuses on Coleridge-Taylor’s ‘Scenes from an Imaginary Ballet,’ ‘Three Humoresques’ and ‘Three-Fours Valse Suite’, all with rhythmical intricacies and beautiful phrasing required of the composer. The second half features Mazurkas, Nocturnes and the Bolero by Chopin.

”We so passionately believe in the value and power of live music and you are the reason that we work hard at keeping this art form alive,” noted Avenant.

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Chemainus Classical Concerts is pleased to have Luke Welch back to perform at St. Michael’s Church. (Photo submitted)


Don Bodger

About the Author: Don Bodger

I've been a part of the newspaper industry since 1980 when I began on a part-time basis covering sports for the Ladysmith-Chemainus Chronicle.
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