Classical Coffee Concerts at the Port Theatre begins its fourth season with cellist Rebecca Wenham. Come early for refreshments and make yourself at home for an intimate concert in the Port Theatre lobby. Other guest artist this season include: Oct 28: Krzysztof Kaczka (flute), Nov 25: Marcus Takizawa (viola), Feb 3: Sarah Hagen (solo piano), March 10: The Bergmann Piano Duo, and April 14: Benjamin Butterfield (tenor)
PROGRAMME:
Song without words, op. 109 Felix Mendelssohn
Viola da Gamba Sonata in G minor, BWV 1029 J.S. Bach
Le Grand Tango Astor Piazzolla
Sonata No. 2 in D major, Op. 58 F. Mendelssohn
ABOUT REBECCA
Cellist Rebecca Wenham has been described as a musical force of nature. She has performed across Canada, the United States, Mexico, Europe, Japan and Australia. She was, as member of the Cecilia String Quartet from 2004 to 2010, silver medalist at the Osaka International Chamber Music Competition, winner of first prize and the Melpomene prize at the Rutenberg Chamber Music Competition, winner of the commissioned prize at the Bordeaux International Quartet Competition, and winner of first prize and the Canadian commissioned prize at the 10th Banff International String Quartet Competition.
Rebecca has performed with pianists Robert Silverman, Anton Kuerti, James Tocco and Menahem Pressler, and jazz musicians John Stetch, Hugh Fraser and Dave Douglas. She has collaborated with many composers including Common Sense Composers Collective, Ana Sokolovic, Gilbert Amy, Kelly-Marie Murphy and William Bolcom. Her interest in different styles of music has prompted her to perform music from classical to jazz to Persian, as well as the music of Elvis Costello. She was a CBC Galaxie Rising Star in 2007.
Rebecca has received funding from the Canada Council for the Arts and from the the Odyssee/ACCR Quartet Residency Program grant, ProQuartet. She holds degrees from the HARID Conservatory of Music, the Shepherd School at Rice University, San Diego State University and McGill University, and is currently pursuing a doctorate at the University of British Columbia. She is currently a member of Trio Accord and Microcosmos Quartet. Her mentors have included Johanne Perron, Norman Fischer, Andre Roy, the St. Lawrence String Quartet and Henk Guittart.