"Troubled Times, Indomitable Spirits" - Duo Kashperova fundraising concert for Barrie Concert Association

The Barrie Concert Association presents “Troubled Times, Indomitable Spirits”, with Barrie’s own Duo Kashperova (pianist Sandra Ruttan and cellist Alyssa Wright), on Sunday, April 26 at 2:30pm.  The concert takes place at Bethel Community Church, 128 St. Vincent Street in Barrie, ON.  Admission is by freewill donation, with all proceeds going to support the Barrie Concert Association.

The concert features music from three composers who lived through difficult, dangerous and oppressive situations, yet persisted in creating beautiful and meaningful music.  Despite the obstacles they faced, their legacy of music remains.   Duo Kashperova will be bringing some of that legacy alive as they perform “Troubled Water” by Margaret Bonds, “Impressions” by Henriette Bosmans, and the Canadian premiere of the recently rediscovered and major work, Sonata for Piano and Cello Op.1 No.1 by Leocadiya Kashperova.

As Duo Kashperova, pianist Sandra Ruttan and cellist Alyssa Wright champion their namesake’s music and channel her spirit, exploring lesser-known treasures and introducing audiences to great works not (yet) part of the standard repertoire.  Alyssa and Sandra first performed together in 2007 as two-thirds of the Amity Piano Trio, which performed at concert series and festivals around southern Ontario.  They were reunited in 2023 to perform at trio violinist Michael Adamson’s memorial concert, and rediscovered their joy of playing together, as well as their shared interests in exploring new music and uncovering hidden gems by forgotten (or censored) composers.

It was while searching for pieces to complement a Stravinsky-focused recital program that Sandra and Alyssa first heard of Leocadiya Kashperova (1872-1940) and her two cello sonatas, since he had been her student  Even on their first read-through of the Sonata in G (written in 1895), it was obvious what a wonderful piece of writing this was, especially for an "Opus 1, Number 1”.  A few rehearsals later, and they were no longer looking at the Stravinsky, but instead taking a deep dive into the music and life story of this incredible pianist and composer.

Kashperova was recognized in her time as a fiercely talented pianist and composer, but her music was later buried due to the mechanisms of both revolution and patriarchy – both of which, as Sandra and Alyssa have discovered, are themes already hidden in her Opus 1, Number 1.  They have become enamoured with the way she was forever pushing back on imposed convention, her playful spirit, her immense strength and self-assuredness, her dedication to music and muse, and especially her joy in having a subversive moment or two.  The duo has started writing about their many discoveries in this piece at their website duokashperova.com, where you will also find their recording of the Sonata.

For the concert program and other updates, visit https://barrieconcerts.org/SingleEvent13/