The Coast Recital Society (CRS) opens its 2012/13 concert season this Sunday afternoon, Sept. 30, with a concert by the acclaimed Fine Arts Quartet.
Described by Washington Post as "one of the gold-plated names in chamber music," this brilliant ensemble makes its CRS debut with a concert of works by Claude Debussy, Dmitri Shostakovich and Franz Schubert.
In addition to the Fine Arts Quartet, this year's CRS concert series features several noteworthy CRS debuts.
"Our Sunshine Coast audience can look forward to a wealth of outstanding performers during this year's concert season," said CRS artistic director Frances Heinsheimer Wainwright. "First-class performers and diverse repertoire are at the heart of our programming philosophy. We continue our commitment to community outreach and are delighted that each year so many CRS artists perform in our Artists in the Community events in local schools and eldercare residences."
The next CRS concert is Oct. 28, featuring Cappella Artemisia, the superb early music ensemble of women's voices, accompanied by cornets, organ and viola da gamba.
Cellist Marie-Elisabeth Hecker and pianist Martin Helmchen, two brilliant young artists in the international recital world, perform on Nov. 25.
Violinist Mark Fewer, whose virtuosity extends from early music to jazz, teams up with Grammy Award nominee pianist John Novacek on Jan. 20.
Rising star soprano Layla Claire, fresh from successes at the Glyndebourne and Aix-en-Provence Music Festivals, performs on Feb. 3, with pianist Bryan Wagorn.
The Feb. 13 concert features the return of two CRS favorites: The Afiara String Quartet, second prize laureate of the 2010 prestigious Banff International String Quartet Competition, and pianist Jane Coop, known for her deeply affecting keyboard artistry.
The series concludes March 17 with the welcome return to the CRS stage of one of Canada's musical treasures, pianist Angela Cheng.
All concerts take place at the Raven's Cry Theatre in Sechelt, 2:30 p.m., with a pre-concert chat at 1:30. A few subscriptions are still available: seven concerts for $120.
Call Stephanie Crane at 604-740-2051 for subscription and single ticket information, and see www.coastrecitalsociety.ca for details of the season.
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