November 6th piano recital at the Estonian House

British Columbia-born Mark Julson discovered the piano at age three, when he clambered upon the family piano bench, and it has been his vocation ever since. Well-known in the Peterborough area as a piano accompanist, technician and rebuilder, he has begun to garner attention with performances of his own unique and considerable compositions.

With a solid background in traditional classical repertoire - Beethoven, Brahms and Scarlatti being pre-eminent in past concert tours -, Mark Julson's musical path took a pivotal turn when he was given a songbook of Estonian runic tunes, or regilaulud compiled by the great Estonian composer Veljo Tormis. Within these pages he found simple, yet compelling melodies which offered limitless possibilities for expansion. Within months he had arranged and developed these marvellous two-bar measures into larger and more accessible piano works.

These ancient tunes formed part of a song tradition which can be traced back to before the 13th century, possibly earlier. It existed among Baltic tribes living around the Gulf of Finland such as the Votians, Izhorians, Karelians, Finns and of course, the Estonians. Though Julson comes from a Norwegian background, what he has achieved is a body of work which is at once recognizable as Estonian in nature, and personal in interpretation.

The first half of the program consists of eighteen runic settings, of which Barbara Scott, music critic for The Peterborough Examiner writes: "They demonstrate Mr. Julson's amazing composing skills, dedication to the spirit of the music and faithfulness in retaining the song tradition.They evoke another age, another people."

The titles themselves reflect upon the daily pre-occupations of work, love and the celebration of nature so close to the Estonian soul. We cannot be less than charmed by titles such as: "Let's go listen to the moon", "Sing! as long as you live." or "Beware of beautiful men".

The three larger works which comprise the second half, do not quote runic songs specifically, but do reflect the atmosphere and tradition embued therein. They are: "Marvellous works, which in a sense, capture the feelings of a Chopin Ballade". Having amassed nearly thirty pianos of his own (including a 1905 Knabe Concert Grand, once played upon by Artur Rubinstein at New York's Metropolitan Opera House), Mr. Julson was excited to learn that Toronto's Estonian House had committed to purchasing an Estonia Grand for their Concert Hall.

More than eager to give it a spin, he was delighted to have that opportunity at the pianos' recent inauguration Gala. Considering the source which inspired this music, it is only fitting that this concert, entitled " Listen to the Moon" should be performed on an Estonia piano. A portion of the ticket sales will go towards funding its purchase. Anyone interested in hearing new music born from the old, performed by the composer himself, on the new Estonia Grand piano, - all in one afternoon - , is cordially invited to attend.

Märkmed: