Professional carillonneur Deborah Hennig will perform a show celebrating the arrival of spring at St. George's Anglican Church March 26 at 12:15 p.m.
The concert features music related to the theme of spring. The program will open with the Season of Life from Suite Seasons by American composer, Frank DellaPenna. This will be followed by Spring from Vivaldi’s famous Four Seasons. This adaptation for carillon contains all the colourful musical effects of Vivaldi’s original score for violin solo and orchestra, complete with bird songs, fountains, thunder and lightning in the first movement; rustling leaves, a sleeping goatherd and barking dog in the second movement; and bagpipes, dancing nymphs and shepherds in the third movement.
The concert continues with Singin’ in the Rain, a light-hearted love song that romps through rain and puddles, made famous by Gene Kelly in the 1952 film of the same name. This will be followed by an arrangement of the moving and beautiful final chorus from J.S. Bach’s immortal St. Matthew Passion. The program will conclude with With the Arrival of the New Spring (Z Nowa Wiosna) by Polish composer Mieczyslaw Karlowicz, a melodic, romantic waltz.
The bells can be heard from the grounds in the vicinity of the church. Douglas Street and the courthouse parking lot offer good areas and listeners are encouraged to bring a folding seat for the 30-minute program.
The Cutten Memorial Carillon at St. George’s was originally a 23-bell instrument, installed in 1926 by the British bell foundry Gillett & Johnston. In 2006, it was refurbished and expanded (by U.S. bell founders Meeks, Watson) to 39 bells and is a rare gem among carillons in Canada.The program is free of charge.
Hening, a resident of Stratford, is a graduate of the Royal Carillon School in Mechelen, Belgium and has performed several concerts in Europe and as guest artist in North America.
- Location: St. George’s Anglican Church
- 99 Woolwich St., Guelph
- Date: Sunday, March 26, at 12:15 p.m.
- Duration: 30 minutes
- Admission: Free
