Famed American Stories featuring the works of Leonard Bernstein and Aaron Copland, will be celebrated at the Rose Gellert concert series season opener later this month in Langley.
The Langley Community Music School (LCMS) is proud to present American Stories, a program by the renowned Bergmann Piano Duo, during the season’s first Rose Gellert Hall series concert on Saturday , Sept. 29.
With 2018 marking the centenary of legendary American composer, Bernstein, the piano duo will be celebrating with a concert that features his most well-known work, West Side Story.
Bernstein’s close friend, Copland, and his evocative El Salon Mexico will also be featured.
The evening will also include specially-arranged works from the Bergmann’s latest CD, American Stories, by Chick Corea, Astor Piazzolla, Pat Metheny, and Egberto Gismonti.
“Undoubtedly, Bernstein was one of the most influential and versatile musicians of the 20th century, as conductor, classical and jazz pianist, composer, arranger and educator,” said LCMS artistic director and Bergmann Duo pianist Elizabeth Bergmann.
“All of the works we are performing are arranged for two pianos exclusively by Marcel. We look forward to sharing this special program with the Langley audience,” she added.
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The Bergmann Piano Duo, features husband-and-wife pianists Marcel and Elizabeth Bergmann, who are both instructor and directors at the school.
They have been described as artists who present “razzle dazzle” and “electrifyingly rendered” recitals, who have touched and inspired audiences with their eclectic programs for more than two decades.
As international prize-winners, including the Dranoff International Two Piano Competition and Provincia di Caltanisetta International Chamber Music competition, they have performed in recital and with orchestras across North America and Europe, including recent appearances in Munich and the Concertgebouw in Amsterdam.
“The electrifying and inspirational Bergmann Piano Duo will certainly delight audiences with their program, American Stories,” said LCMS principal, Carolyn Granholm.
“2019 marks the 50th anniversary of the Langley Community Music School. To celebrate, we have dedicated the 2018-19 season to a lineup of highly acclaimed performers who all have a strong connection to the school. We invite the community to celebrate with us.”
In addition to the Sept. 29 Bergmann Piano concert, the 2018-19 Rose Gellert Hall concert series includes: the Borealis String Quartet on Nov. 17; Jon Kimura Parker (piano) and Aloysia Friedmann (violin) on Jan. 26; and Bill Charlap and Renee Rosnes (pianos) on April 13.
Tickets for the Bergmann concert are $28 for adults, $25 for seniors, $18 for students, and $10 for LCMS students and available by calling the box office at 604-534-2848 or visit langleymusic.com.
The Rose Gellert Hall is located at 4899 207th St. in Langley, and the concert begins at 7:30 p.m.