The Valley Concert Society presents violinist Kai Gleusteen and pianist Catherine Ordronneau in concert on Friday, March 24 at Matsqui Centennial Auditorium (32315 South Fraser Way), starting at 7:30 p.m.
The next morning, Gleusteen will preside over a master class for local string students at Peace Lutheran Church (2029 Ware St.)
Gleusteen, who grew up in Calgary, began an international career originally based in Prague and Paris. Ordronneau, his wife, is a native of France.
They now live in Barcelona, Spain, where Gleusteen is the concertmaster of the opera orchestra in the Gran Teatre del Liceu and where Ordronneau teaches piano. Together they have performed extensively throughout North America, Europe and China.
The duo headlines a chamber music series called Kaimerata, which takes place annually in both Barcelona and Denman Island. They have also been the feature performers on two river cruises in Europe which were organized by White Rock impresario George Zukerman.
The concert on Friday evening features a program of Russian music, opening with Stravinsky’s enchanting Suite Italienne. The first half includes piano works by Shostakovich and Rachmaninov as well as some delightful ballet music by Glazunov.
The feature work in the second half is a violin sonata by Prokofiev before the program closes with Tchaikovsky’s charming Waltz-Scherzo.
A pre-concert talk takes place at 6:50 p.m. in the foyer.
Tickets are $28 for adults and $15 for students. They are available online at valleyconcertsociety.com or by calling 604-289-3377.
The master class on Saturday involves Gleusteen working with three violin students and a string quartet.
The session is open to the public to observe. Doors open at 9 a.m., and the class runs from 9:30 to noon.
Admission is $10. Tickets are available at the door or on the website.
