Big News: I made a recording!

Well, friends, big news:

I'm so pleased and excited to announce that I've finished recording my first full-length album, partnering once more with my good friend Philip Chiu!

The recording, which features music by Debussy, Janacek, and Canadian composers Vivier, Carrabré, and Willan, was finished over a three-day period in Montreal at Concordia University's Oscar Peterson Hall. The magnificent Jeremy Tusz (of Diapason Mobile) was at the helm, assisted by Paul Scriver.  The four of us are pictured above, just after the final session ended.  (Phew!)

I'll be posting updates as this project develops - I'm very excited to share this with you all!  Wishing you all a very restful and fulfilling holiday stretch.  May you eat great food surrounded by friends and family!

Ritornello 2014

This past weekend, the 6th Annual Ritornello Chamber Music Festival took place in Saskatoon.  Ritornello Fest is the annual festival that my co-director Jacqueline Woods and I founded, which showcases exciting, Canadian musicians who are currently pursuing professional careers across the country and around the globe.  This year's Fest featured the Cecilia String Quartet, pianist Philip Chiu, and cellist Scott McKnight performing alongside the two directors.  Saturday's concert also featured a Saskatoon poet, Brendan Flaherty.  Here are a few photos of the festival, taken by Michael Morien.  To see all the high-res photos, check out our Flickr.com Slideshow.

Upcoming Concerts in Saskatoon

Hey Saskatoon friends! I'm very proud to announce that my festival, the Ritornello Chamber Music Festival, has launched a Fall Series of Concerts.  Look for upcoming shows at both Paddockwood's new The Woods Ale House (RITORNELLO ON TAP) and at The Bassment (RITORNELLO UNDERGROUND).

The first show takes place:

THURSDAY, OCTOBER 18, The Bassment (8pm)

RITORNELLO UNDERGROUND

Ritornello Festival presents: Jacqueline Woods & Denise Fillion (Piano Duo), playing cosmic and revolutionary 20th century american music by Rzewski, Crumb, and Adams.  This performance is guaranteed to knock your socks off while you sip on your beer.

Ritornello 2012 Pictures

See Amber Ling Rollack's facebook album of the 2012 Ritornello Festival in Saskatoon, Saskatchewan.

Boundary Ensemble

This week, I'm rehearsing with the Regina-based Boundary Ensemble, which is made up of artists from across North America who come together to make music, share ideas and insprire collaborations through the arts. This week, Boundary is performing at the Westminister United Church in Regina (Friday, June 1), and at the Ritornello Chamber Music Festival (Saturday, June 2). This concert features works for string septet - we're playing Hindemith's Trauermusik, Adams's Shaker Loops, and a new commission by Jordan Nobles (a young Canadian composer) called Half-life. Looking forward to it!