The Valley Concert Society (VCS) brings its 2023-24 season to a close on Friday, May 10 with a concert featuring pianist Laura Altenmueller.
The concert starts at 7:30 p.m. at Matsqui Centennial Auditorium, 32315 South Fraser Way.
Altenmueller will perform two cycles of preludes. She will open the evening with Lyrica Nova, a buoyant piece with charming melodies composed by Sergei Bortkiewicz.
Olivier Messiaen composed his Préludes pour piano shortly after the early death of his mother. The first of eight imaginative movements referred to her as The Dove.
The second half features probably the most famous and well-loved set of preludes, composed by Frédéric Chopin. Filled with familiar and hummable tunes, these 24 miniatures are perennial favourites.
Altenmueller’s musical journey began with piano lessons at age four in her hometown of Abbotsford. As a teen, she earned a bursary from the VCS.
She went on to complete her associate of the Royal Conservatory of Music while studying with Dr. Betty Suderman and Joyce Janzen, one of the society’s board members.
After earning her bachelor degree at the University of Victoria, Altenmueller went to Ottawa and worked toward her master’s with David Jalbert, one of Canada’s most celebrated pianists.
Altenmueller completed her doctorate at the University of Western Ontario. Her research on Ravel’s Le tombeau de Couperin earned her several scholarships.
She lives in London, Ont., where she is music director in a church, directs several choirs, teaches, performs, and sings.
Tickets are available at valleyconcertsociety.com at $32 for adults/seniors and $20 for students. Doors open at 6:30 p.m. There will be a pre-concert talk in the foyer at 6:50 p.m.
For more information, call 604-289-3377.
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