When clarinetist James Campbell joins Cheng2 Duo on stage at the Matsqui Centennial Auditorium on Friday, April 24, at 7:30 p.m., it will not be the first time that they have performed together.
Their collaboration began twelve years ago in 2014 when Bryan and Silvie were selected as the Stockey Young Artist Award Winners at the Festival of the Sound. James Campbell has been the Artistic Director of that highly regarded festival in Parry Sound, Ontario, since 1985. Their musical paths have crossed numerous times in the years that followed.
In a wonderful coincidence, James Campbell was the featured host of the CBC Music program This Is My Music last Saturday. This program allows notable Canadian musician to share music that has been important to them. Campbell chose to focus this program on music connected to the festival he directs. You can hear it at this link.
https://www.cbc.ca/listen/live-radio/1-382-this-is-my-music
Campbell is truly a Canadian musical icon. His CD Stolen Gems won a JUNO Award. The BBC and the Times of London rated his recording of the Brahms Clarinet Quintet as the best available. Among his many honours are the Queen’s Gold and Diamond Jubilee Medals, an Honourary Doctor of Law, and membership in the Order of Canada.
Campbell will open the second half of next Friday’s concert with Wood and Wire, a duo for clarinet and piano composed by his son Graham. The younger Campbell is a noted guitarist and composer whose work has explored many musical genres.
We are privileged to welcome this celebrated musician to Abbotsford together with his young protegés in a beautifully constructed program.
Tickets are available online at www.valleyconcertsociety.com at $32 for adults and $20 for students. For more information, call 604-289-3377.
John Wiebe - President
The Valley Concert Society