Encounters: Viola Streams

The music of Bach, Chang, and Godin blend seamlessly with artwork by Wölfli.

Premiering as part of Soundstreams’ free digital offerings, Encounters is an accessible music and discussion experience designed as a chance virtual engagement with some of Canada’s most interesting musicians, composers, and artists.

The first digital Encounters: Viola Streams, was filmed with all necessary safety precautions at the Soundstreams offices this past May, and features an exclusive, intimate performance by Toronto violist Steven Dann, as well as Dann in conversation with Soundstreams Founding Artistic Director Lawrence Cherney. Let the music wash over you, while the artwork of Adolf Wölfli integrates seamlessly in the performance of Scott Godin’s work.

ARTISTS

Steven Dann, viola
Lawrence Cherney, host
Blake Hannahson, videographer

REPERTOIRE

Scott Godin Two Wölfli Sketches
Dorothy Chang Streams
J.S. Bach Select cello suites, arr. for viola

Encounters was the title of a Soundstreams series in 1993 when the organization moved its performances to Toronto’s Glenn Gould Studio. The latest iteration, a direct evolution of their popular Salon 21 series, was most recently taking place at The Gladstone Hotel. During the Covid-19 pandemic, Soundstreams has adapted the series for digital broadcasting, opening up opportunities to reach new communities with its thematic programming.