Thompson’s Lutheran-United Church will be hosting the first Living Room Live concert of the season Sept. 13. The featured performer is classical pianist Benjamin Bertin. This will be the second of 14 performances he will give in communities in Manitoba and Saskatchewan. Living Room Live concerts are generally held in the more intimate venue of a home, but as a piano was required for this performance, the Lutheran-United Church donated their space. All proceeds from the concert go to the performer. Future Living Room Live concerts are tentatively scheduled for January and May with the artists and venues to be announced.
Born in Winnipeg, Bertin received his bachelor of music degree from Brandon University, his master’s degree in the United States, and currently is completing doctoral studies at Universite de Montreal under the mentorship of Paul Stewart. Throughout his studies, Bertin’s interest has gravitated toward Russian music, resulting in a certain specialization in this repertoire. His doctoral research focuses on the music of little-known Russian composer Nikolai Medtner, and has led him to give performances and lectures in the U.S., Portugal and Canada.
The program centres on Bach’s mighty Partita no. 4, a piece that exudes joy and majesty while at turns looking inward to convey achingly personal sentiments. A collection of works from Russian Romantics provides a striking contrast. Beginning with Tchaikovsky, and moving through Scriabin, Rachmaninoff, and Medtner, an entirely different musical world is gradually revealed.
Bertin’s performance begins at 7:30 p.m. at 52 Caribou Road. Tickets are $20 at the door (cash only please). Doors open at 7 p.m. and there will be light refreshments offered at intermission. Please come and support the arts in Thompson. All are welcome!
