Elin, New Music and the Viola da Gamba

We have a treat in store this afternoon: Elin is giving the second in her recitals presented as she works toward a doctorate in performance at the Université de Montréal. Although she's spent most of her musical career playing early music, her interest in improvisation--the way music was taught in the olden days--has led her to some much more experimental work. Where her first recital was based in the Italian improvisational tradition of the 16th and 17th century, this one doesn't have a composer who's older than 45.

Here's the program:

Ssolo (2002) by Henry Vega (NY, 1973)
for viola da gamba and computer.


Tombeau pour Shisui (2008) by Marie-Claire Saindon (Ottawa, 1984)
version for viola da gamba and bass flute; the original version was composed for
Ghislaine Deschambault and Elin Soderstrom

Stella by Michel Frigon (St-Antoine-des-Laurentides, 1967)
for bass flute and viola da gamba, composed for Cléo Palacio-Quintin and Elin Soderstrom

Music for Magpies (2003) by Emily Doolittle (Halifax, 1972)
Pied butcherbird
Hoopoe lark
Ringed rive snike
Pileated pocket grouse
Green-rumped antstalker
for viola da gamba solo with frets set at the quarter tone.

L'Alchimie de Psyché (2007) by Cléo Palacio-Quintin (Leuven, 1971)
for viola da gamba and electronic treatment, composed for Elin Soderstrom

Music lovers are invited to attend: 3 p.m. Salle Serge-Garant (B484) of the Music Faculty of l'Université de Montréal. Free admission.

And to think that the last recording she collaborated on was a version of Henry Purcell's greatest hits!