TUESDAY AUGUST 19: RAUM² (7:00pm)
Felix Mendelssohn (1809-1847) arr. Arne-Christian Pelz
Lied ohne Worte in Eb Major Op. 30 No. 7
Felix Mendelssohn composed his Lied ohne Worte (Song Without Words) in E-flat major, Op. 30 No. 7, as part of a larger collection published in the early 1830s. These pieces were among the first to popularize the genre of short, lyrical piano works intended to express song-like melodies without text. Today, you will hear a cello and piano version arranged by our own Arne-Christian Pelz created in collaboration with choreographer Andreas Heise for the Tokyo Ballet. While an earlier arrangement of this work by Friedrich Grützmacher exists, Pelz chose to transcribe it himself in order to retain the work’s original key and the emotional character of Mendelssohn’s music, even though it is far more challenging to play. The fragile yet dense expressiveness of this work, which speaks volumes without words, leaves space for each listener to respond with their own narrative.
Kelly-Marie Murphy (b. 1964)
FIRE-AND-ICE-BODIED-DOUBLED-UP-WITHDRAWAL-ANXIETY (2023)
"I was commissioned by Elation Pauls to write a piece for the SUSTENANCE project. Sustenance means to nourish; something which is needed to live. With my piece, FIRE-AND-ICE-BODIED-DOUBLED-UP-WITHDRAWAL-ANXIETY, I wanted to explore what happens when we go too far with what we consider necessary for existence. We are a society addicted to things (like smart phones) as well as substances and even people. When these elements are removed, we experience sadness, anger and fear that actually affects our ability to sustain ourselves. My piece has two movements. The first explores sadness, distance, and disbelief. The second explores fear."
~ Kelly-Marie Murphy
Kelly-Marie Murphy is a prominent Canadian composer whose music has been described as imaginative, expressive, and powerful by critics across North America. Her works have been commissioned and performed by major Canadian orchestras and renowned soloists, and have reached international audiences in over 22 countries, including performances at prestigious venues like Carnegie Hall and the Mozarteum. With numerous awards to her name—such as first prizes in the CBC Young Composer’s Competition and the International Horn Society’s Composer’s Competition—Murphy has also held residencies at notable institutions and festivals, and served as composer-in-residence for the National Youth Orchestra of Canada. Born on a NATO base in Italy and raised across Canada, she holds a Ph.D. in composition from the University of Leeds and is now based in Ottawa.
Elizabeth Raum (b. 1945)
Violin Sonata
Elizabeth Raum is a renowned Canadian oboist and composer whose career spans over 55 years. After beginning as principal oboe with the Atlantic Symphony Orchestra, she joined the Regina Symphony Orchestra, serving as principal oboe until her retirement in 2010. Among her many compositions, her violin sonata stands out as a significant and frequently performed work, praised for its lyrical beauty, emotional depth, and strong connection with performers and audiences alike. We are very fortunate to hear her Violin Sonata performed by her own daughter, Erika Raum. Elizabeth Raum has written six operas and over 90 chamber pieces, with her music performed internationally and admired for its accessibility and stylistic range. Her numerous honors include the Saskatchewan Order of Merit, Queen’s Platinum Jubilee Medal, and several national music awards.
Felix Mendelssohn (1809-1847)
Piano Trio No. 1 in D Minor, Op. 49
Felix Mendelssohn composed his Piano Trio No. 1 in D minor, Op. 49, in 1839, during a highly productive period of his career. This work quickly became one of his most celebrated chamber pieces and helped establish the piano trio as a significant genre in the Romantic era. Mendelssohn wrote the trio while living in Leipzig, a city where he was deeply involved in its musical life as a conductor and educator. The trio was dedicated to the violinist Ferdinand David, Mendelssohn’s close friend and concertmaster of the Leipzig Gewandhaus Orchestra. Its immediate success solidified Mendelssohn’s reputation beyond his well-known symphonies and oratorios, influencing many later composers in their approach to chamber music.
Felix Mendelssohn (1809-1847) arr. Arne-Christian Pelz
Lied ohne Worte in Eb Major Op. 30 No. 7
Felix Mendelssohn composed his Lied ohne Worte (Song Without Words) in E-flat major, Op. 30 No. 7, as part of a larger collection published in the early 1830s. These pieces were among the first to popularize the genre of short, lyrical piano works intended to express song-like melodies without text. Today, you will hear a cello and piano version arranged by our own Arne-Christian Pelz created in collaboration with choreographer Andreas Heise for the Tokyo Ballet. While an earlier arrangement of this work by Friedrich Grützmacher exists, Pelz chose to transcribe it himself in order to retain the work’s original key and the emotional character of Mendelssohn’s music, even though it is far more challenging to play. The fragile yet dense expressiveness of this work, which speaks volumes without words, leaves space for each listener to respond with their own narrative.
Kelly-Marie Murphy (b. 1964)
FIRE-AND-ICE-BODIED-DOUBLED-UP-WITHDRAWAL-ANXIETY (2023)
"I was commissioned by Elation Pauls to write a piece for the SUSTENANCE project. Sustenance means to nourish; something which is needed to live. With my piece, FIRE-AND-ICE-BODIED-DOUBLED-UP-WITHDRAWAL-ANXIETY, I wanted to explore what happens when we go too far with what we consider necessary for existence. We are a society addicted to things (like smart phones) as well as substances and even people. When these elements are removed, we experience sadness, anger and fear that actually affects our ability to sustain ourselves. My piece has two movements. The first explores sadness, distance, and disbelief. The second explores fear."
~ Kelly-Marie Murphy
Kelly-Marie Murphy is a prominent Canadian composer whose music has been described as imaginative, expressive, and powerful by critics across North America. Her works have been commissioned and performed by major Canadian orchestras and renowned soloists, and have reached international audiences in over 22 countries, including performances at prestigious venues like Carnegie Hall and the Mozarteum. With numerous awards to her name—such as first prizes in the CBC Young Composer’s Competition and the International Horn Society’s Composer’s Competition—Murphy has also held residencies at notable institutions and festivals, and served as composer-in-residence for the National Youth Orchestra of Canada. Born on a NATO base in Italy and raised across Canada, she holds a Ph.D. in composition from the University of Leeds and is now based in Ottawa.
Elizabeth Raum (b. 1945)
Violin Sonata
Elizabeth Raum is a renowned Canadian oboist and composer whose career spans over 55 years. After beginning as principal oboe with the Atlantic Symphony Orchestra, she joined the Regina Symphony Orchestra, serving as principal oboe until her retirement in 2010. Among her many compositions, her violin sonata stands out as a significant and frequently performed work, praised for its lyrical beauty, emotional depth, and strong connection with performers and audiences alike. We are very fortunate to hear her Violin Sonata performed by her own daughter, Erika Raum. Elizabeth Raum has written six operas and over 90 chamber pieces, with her music performed internationally and admired for its accessibility and stylistic range. Her numerous honors include the Saskatchewan Order of Merit, Queen’s Platinum Jubilee Medal, and several national music awards.
Felix Mendelssohn (1809-1847)
Piano Trio No. 1 in D Minor, Op. 49
Felix Mendelssohn composed his Piano Trio No. 1 in D minor, Op. 49, in 1839, during a highly productive period of his career. This work quickly became one of his most celebrated chamber pieces and helped establish the piano trio as a significant genre in the Romantic era. Mendelssohn wrote the trio while living in Leipzig, a city where he was deeply involved in its musical life as a conductor and educator. The trio was dedicated to the violinist Ferdinand David, Mendelssohn’s close friend and concertmaster of the Leipzig Gewandhaus Orchestra. Its immediate success solidified Mendelssohn’s reputation beyond his well-known symphonies and oratorios, influencing many later composers in their approach to chamber music.
