THIS IS ITALY!
Respighi | Hatzis | Vivaldi | Mendelssohn
BEVERLEY JOHNSTON, VIBRAPHONE
MICHAEL NEWNHAM, CONDUCTOR
SATURDAY, APRIL 13 AT 7:30PM
Meet the Maestro Pre-Concert Talk at 6:45PM
Programmed primarily with Italian composers or those inspired by the colours and atmosphere of Italy, our April 2024 concert features the vibraphone! Greek-Canadian composer Christos Hatzis’ Mirage?, a concerto for solo percussion (vibraphone and cloud gongs) and strings, will be played by his wife, Beverley Johnston, a Canadian Music Centre Ambassador.
Also on the program is Mendelssohn’s familiar and beloved 4th symphony, nicknamed the “Italian”. This symphony was based on Mendelssohn’s impressions from a 10-month trip to Italy in 1830 - he once described it as “blue sky in A major”!
Finally, the works of two Italian composers: Vivaldi and Respighi. Vivaldi’s Violin Concerto in A minor will be performed not on violin, but on vibraphone by Beverley Johnston. Respighi’s Gli Uccelli or “The Birds” is a suite of five short movements: a prelude, and then four movements each imaginatively capturing the song and movements of a different bird.
The featured artist for this concert is Jaan Teng, whose work explodes with colour and light, in keeping with this concert’s program.
Join us for this celebration of spring and sunshine showcasing the talents of dynamic performer Beverley Johnston. Beverley’s performance is sponsored by IG Wealth Management in Peterborough.
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Canadian percussionist Beverley Johnston is internationally recognized for her dynamic performances on marimba and percussion. Her exciting performances have been distinguished as unconventional, effectively combining classical transcriptions, contemporary music, and a touch of theatre. She has captivated audiences across North America and overseas with her personal charm and her unique style. Her performances and recordings have been broadcast on radio networks all over the world. She has released seven solo CDs: The Spirit and the Dust (2020, Centrediscs); Woman Runs with Wolves (2013, Centrediscs) Ming (2009, Centrediscs); Garden of Delights (2004, independent release); Alternate Currents (1992, Centrediscs); Marimbach (1989, CBC Records Musica Viva); and Impact (1986, Centrediscs, JUNO nominee). She can also be heard as soloist or chamber musician on numerous other recordings.
She has maintained an active schedule with her international travels performing at percussion festivals in the United States, Europe and Asia including the Ivana Bilic Marimba Week in Croatia (2017), The International Katarzyna Mycka Marimba Academy in Europe (2013, 2015 and 2023), the Shenyang International Percussion Festival in China (2010), The International Marimba Festival and Conference in Minneapolis, USA (2010), The Zeltsman Marimba Festival in USA (2005, 2009, 2013), the Percussive Arts Society International Convention (1988, 1995, 2006, 2009, 2014, 2022), the Stockholm International Percussion Event (1998) and the Journee de la Percussions in Paris, France (1999). The Banff Centre for Arts and Creativity invited her to be a faculty member in the fall of 2016. For years she has been performing at different Canadian summer music festivals including the Festival of the Sound, The Ottawa Chamber Music Festival, The Music and Beyond Festival, among others. She performed a ‘Bev Johnston and Friends’ recital with the Women’s Musical Club of Toronto in November, 2021 and her latest solo production called ‘Finding HER Voice’ premiered on International Women’s Day in 2022. She was featured at the 2022 Sound Symposium in St. John’s Newfoundland.
In 2009 she was given the distinction of becoming an Ambassador of the Canadian Music Centre in honour of her exemplary commitment to the performance of Canadian composers.
Beverley has enjoyed collaborating with other musicians including the Amici Chamber Ensemble, the Penderecki String Quartet, The Blue Rider Ensemble, The Art of Time Ensemble, violinist Marc Djokic, flautist Susan Hoeppner, NEXUS, TorQ Percussion Quartet and the Joint Venture Percussion Duo.
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