ARC Ensemble: The Music of Alberto Hemsi

ARC Ensemble

Erika Raum, violin

Marie Bérard, violin

Emily Kruspe, violin

Steven Dann, viola

Julien Altmann, viola

Tom Wiebe, cello

Kevin Ahfat, piano

ARC’s concert of works by the Sephardic composer Alberto Hemsi follows the ensemble’s Juno-nominated Chandos release devoted to premieres of his chamber music. Hemsi was born in Izmir, in present-day Turkey and trained at Milan’s Verdi Conservatory, Hemsi’s works combine Sephardic melodies with sophisticated harmonies and a wonderful sense of fun.

Comprised of the senior faculty of The Royal Conservatory’s Glenn Gould School, with special guests drawn from the organization’s most accomplished students and alumni, the three time Grammy Award nominated ARC Ensemble (Artists of The Royal Conservatory) is among Canada’s most distinguished cultural ambassadors. Performing a wide range of music, its focus remains the research and recovery of works that were suppressed and marginalized under the 20th century’s repressive regimes. A growing number of previously unknown masterworks are rejoining the repertoire as a result of the ARC Ensemble’s work.

Please join us! This concert is preceded by a talk about the life and music of Alberto Hemsi featuring ARC’s Artistic Director, Simon Wynberg. Pre-concert talk starts at 1:15pm.

All Alberto Hemsi program:

Danze nuziali greche, op. 37 bis for cello and piano

Meditation in Armenian Style, op. 16 for cello and piano

Quintet for Viola and String Quartet, op. 28

Ad augusta per angusta, op. 35 for piano

Pilpúl Sonata for Violin and Piano, op. 27

Tre Arie Antiche for String Quartet, op. 30 (dalle ‘Coplas Sefardies’)