Sunday Chamber Music Series: Prodigious Beginnings

ABOUT THE SERIES
For newcomers and aficionados alike, the Sunday Chamber Music Series presents casual afternoons of engaging and informative classical masterworks for small ensembles performed by some of the finest classical musicians in Canada and beyond.

This season’ series presents astounding works of genius from the very young, music written by child prodigies and child prodigies who grew into even more astonishing adult composers.  

Curated by violinist David Gillham, the series celebrates a rich kaleidoscope of young genius, culminating with one of the most exciting young string quartets on the world stage today.

The Music of Youth is, ultimately, the music of hope.

French composer Saint Saëns had perfect pitch, a mastery of Latin and composed his first piece at the age of 3, which now resides in the Bibliothèque nationale in France. A child prodigy on the piano, he gave his first public recital at the age of 10.  

Max Bruch’s 8 pieces for viola, clarinet and piano, were written as a gift for his talented clarinetist son.

Czech composer Martinu was a child prodigy violinist and upon giving his first public concert in his countryside hometown, the townspeople rallied to raise funds  for his schooling at the prestigious  Prague Conservatory, where his interests soon turned to composition.  The three madrigals for violin and viola, a ‘barn-burner’ of a piece , were inspired by Mozart’s duos for violin and viola.