Duo Magner-Pion – Viola Fantasy: Schumann, Waxman, Franck
Be charmed by this exploration of fantasy and imagination through transcriptions and various works for the viola. From German Romanticism with Schumann’s famous Fairytales to Franck’s timeless sonata, reimagined for viola and piano, as well as for solo viola, this program features the viola as a virtuoso and expressive instrument, one that most resembles the human voice.
A FIRST LOOK AT THE REPERTOIRE*
Robert SCHUMANN (1810-1856)
Märchenbilder, Op. 113
I. Nicht schnell
LISTEN
César FRANCK (1822-1890)
Sonate pour piano et violon en la majeur FWV 8
I. Allegretto ben Moderato
LISTEN
Florence B. PRICE (1887-1953)
Elfentanz
LISTEN
Artists:
Wilhelm Magner
The first violist in 111 years of the competition to be awarded the Prix d’Europe in 2022, Wilhelm’s solo engagements in 2024-2025 include recitals and chamber music concerts in Canada, the United States and Europe. He was recently named Assistant Professor of Viola at UT Austin’s Butler School of Music. He holds a master’s degree in viola performance from Yale University in the Prof. Ettore Causa class. Previously, he studied with Prof. André Roy and Natalia Kononova. He was named to CBC Music’s “30 under 30” list in 2022.
Wilhelm has appeared in many summer festivals, including Yellowbarn, Gstaad Menuhin Festival and Kneisel Hall. Wilhelm is a recipient of the Sylva Gelber Foundation award. He plays a Ryan Soltis, Nelson, 2023 viola and an Ouchard bow generously loaned by CANIMEX INC. of Drummondville (Quebec), Canada.
Elisabeth Pion
An enquiring and innovative artist, pianist Élisabeth Pion leads an imaginative career as a soloist & artistic collaborator. Recent highlights include her nomination as Révélation Radio-Canada 2024/2025, the release of her second album with ATMA Classique (a collaboration with Mathieu Lussier & Arion Orchestre Baroque titled Amadeus et l’Impératrice), as well as being awarded the 2nd prize of the 2024 Blanca Uribe International Piano Competition, the Pierre-Mantha Award from the Fondation Père-Lindsay, the Bita-Cattelan Philanthropic Engagement Award at the Concours musical international de Montréal 2024, the Rosalía de Castro Award at the 2024 Vigo International Piano Competition & the 3rd prize of the 2023 Rio Piano Festival – Tribute to Nelson Freire, performing with the Orquestra Sinfônica Brasileira. Her recording of Ravel Concerto in G major with the OSTR & Alain Trudel will be out in 2025. Élisabeth’s strong interests in literature, writing, composition, repertoire research and Tai Chi nurture her musical practice.
* JMC reserves the right to modify the repertoire without prior notice.
