Childhood memories lead to new music at the Blueridge Chamber Music Festival, August 15
Sonic Storybook features new compositions by 12 B.C. artists based on stories and songs they grew up with
Alfredo Santa Ana.
Russell Wallace. Photo by Mark Mushet
The Blueridge Chamber Music Festival presents Sonic Storybook on August 15 at 7 pm at the Annex
CHILDHOOD MEMORIES ARE the inspiration behind a series of new compositions being premiered at the 14th Blueridge Chamber Music Festival. The organization has commissioned a dozen leading composers from B.C. to each write a piece based on stories, poems, or songs that captivated them as kids.
The concert takes place on August 15 at the Annex.
Alfredo Santa Ana has written a reflection on the Spanish-dubbed Japanese anime series he grew up with in Mexico City, while Métis composer Jesse Plessis turned his thoughts to the legend of the mythological cannibalistic trickster Wendigo. Mary Jane Coomber drew inspiration from RuPaul’s Drag Race and The Amazing Spider-Man, and Lil’wat composer Russell Wallace’s music is influenced by memories of the lullabies his Interior Salish grandmother would sing to him. Anthony Tan was inspired by The Little Engine that Could, Holly Winter revisited Harriet the Spy, and Taylor Brook drew inspiration from Harold's Purple Crayon.
Also part of the performance are new works by Annette Brosin, Dorothy Chang, Farshid Samandari, Jacqueline Leggatt, and Rita Ueda.
The concert features chamber-music luminaries from Vancouver and beyond, including soprano Dory Hayley; tenor Asitha Tennekoon; flutist Paolo Bortolussi; violinist Rebecca Whitling; clarinetist Liam Hockley; cellist Jonathan Lo; guitarist Michael Kolk; accordion player Taras Luka; percussionist Katie Rife; and pianists Alejandro Ochoa, Jeremy Chaulk, and Manuel Laufer.
Tickets are pay-what-you-choose, from free to $35 and up. 
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