Music for Flute, and Heritage Architecture: Celebrating Legacies. June 13, 2010

A festive gathering at Gustin House on Sunday afternoon, June 13, marked the 115th birth anniversary of Lyell Gustin and the fifth anniversary of the inauguration of the restored Gustin House (the actual date of both anniversaries was May 31, 2010).  Ross Carstairs, flautist, and Gregory Schulte, collaborative pianist, gave a wonderful performance of a sonata by J.S. Bach and selections from the French flute repertoire.

Allan Duddridge, Principal at Stantec Architecture, and member of the Historic Sites and Monuments Board of Canada, spoke on built heritage. Mr. Duddridge led the restoration of Gustin House during 2005; he, along with the Gustin/Trounce Heritage Committee Inc. and the contractor, D2 Construction of Saskatoon, were recognized in 2006 with city and provincial awards for this project of heritage restoration.

Contours: Music for Cello, and Small Metal Sculpture, April 11, 2010

A program celebrating the arts and springtime was held on Sunday afternoon, April 11, 2010 at Gustin House.  Cellist Christina Bakanec and pianist Gregory Schulte performed the Sonata for Cello and Piano in A major by Beethoven and Le Grand Tango by Piazzolla. Ms. Bakanec also performed the Spanish-flavoured solo Suite for Violoncello by Cassado.

Douglas Bentham, one of Canada’s most prominent sculptors, spoke of joy and engagement in life as the inspiration of artists in all disciplines.  He illustrated his talk with a number of his small metal sculptures, displayed throughout Gustin House for the occasion.

Christine Vanderkooy, Pianist, in Recital, March 5, 2010

Christine Vanderkooy gave an all-Romantic solo recital on Friday, March 5, performing Schubert’s late Piano Sonata in B-flat, D. 960, and Robert Schumann’s Davidsbündlertänze. The latter work, a group of 18 pieces that has been described as “full of fire, poetry and genius,” was chosen to mark the 200th anniversary of the composer’s birth. Dr. Vanderkooy, who has studied with prominent Gustin graduate Boyd McDonald, enthralled the audience with her performance of these monumental piano compositions. Gregory Schulte, pianist and organist, gave a pre-concert talk. The recital took place at Augustana Lutheran Church.

Duo Concertante performs in Recital, January 8, 2010

Duo Concertante—pianist Timothy Steeves and violinist Nancy Dahn—gave a memorable concert in the Lyell Gustin Recital Series, January 8, 2010, at St. James Anglican Church. The Duo performed an exciting and demanding program of sonatas for violin and piano by Mozart, Beethoven and Prokofiev, as well as arrangements of works by Canadian composer Clifford Crawley. Gustin House welcomed Duo Concertante for a second appearance in the Recital Series (their earlier performance took place in January 2006). Timothy Steeves is a native of Saskatoon and a Gustin “musical descendant;” both he and Nancy Dahn are professors of music at Memorial University, St. John’s, NL.