Begun in 1990, The Little Chamber Music Series That Could Society became highly regarded as an innovative presenter of new music in Vancouver. After shutting down in 2005, the series was reactivated in 2012. The society’s mandate is “to invite new audiences into contemporary performances through the ‘hook’ of a great story told with warmth, and by producing inspiring events that challenge audiences and artists to re-evaluate their relationship to the arts.”
This fall, Little Chamber is producing three events, all at Mount Pleasant Cemetery (5455 Fraser St.). See below for more info.
The 1st Stage by Joelysa Pankanea (Oct. 30, 7 and 8 p.m., Celebration Hall)—In her new, commissioned piece The 1st Stage, composer Joelysa Pankanea addresses the grief and emotional turmoil of her mother’s death. Musica Intima, Vancouver’s premier chamber choir, performs this work for six voices with guests Martin Fisk (marimba) and Mark Haney (double bass). The concerts are part of All Souls, an annual night of honouring the dead.
Composer Joelysa Pankanea premieres her new piece The 1st Stage on Oct. 30.
Sounding the Sophia (Nov. 9 and 10, 7 p.m.)—Considered one of the worst nautical disasters in the history of the Pacific Northwest, the sinking of the SS Princess Sophia passenger steamship resulted in the deaths of all 353 passengers and crew. Over 70 of the deceased are buried in Vancouver’s Mountain View Cemetery. On the 100th year anniversary of the ship’s sinking, The Little Chamber Music Series That Could presents Sounding the Sophia, a concert inspired by this historic event. It features three new works by local composers Nancy Tam, Mishelle Cuttler and Kathleen Allan.
Centum Corpora (Nov. 11 at 11 a.m.)—The Homegoing Brass Band performs a new composition by Vancouver musician Mark Haney to mark the 100th anniversary of Armistice Day and the end of the First World War. One hundred professional, student and community musicians will each represent a casualty of the war while standing behind a marker in the Commonwealth War Graves Commission section of the cemetery. The 100 instruments repeat the name and date of death of their veteran 100 times. In the spirit of what soldiers in WW1 faced, this outdoor performance will proceed in any weather conditions.
All events are free, accessible and inclusive. For more info, visit littlechambermusic.com.
