Local Classical Duo Prepare for Carnegie Hall Concert

Tanya Prochazka, Cello; Sylvia Shadick-Taylor, Piano
Holy Trinity Anglican Church (10037–84 Ave.)
Saturday, March 19, 8 p.m.
Tickets: $15 students/seniors, $20 for adults

Both Tanya Prochazka and Sylvia Shadick-Taylor have been at the forefront of Edmonton’s classical music community for decades. Prochazka, who originally hails from Australia, moved to Edmonton in 1986 and two years later became Professor of Cello and Conductor of the Academy Strings at the University of Alberta. She has performed across North America.

Pianist Shadick-Taylor is a local product, having studied at the U. of A. with the esteemed instructor Alexandra Munn. She is noted for her skills as a chamber musician and vocal coach and clinician and as a result of her pianistic skills, she has graced concert halls in Europe and Asia as well as across North America.

Prochazka and Shadick-Taylor have been invited to perform at Weill Hall in Carnegie Hall, New York, as part of the MidAmerica Productions’ Chamber Music Series on March 26. However, prior to their New York performance, the duo will be exposing Edmonton audiences to their demanding program one week earlier.

The works that they will perform include:

Ernest Bloch – “Three Songs” from Jewish Life for Cello and Piano

Donald Steven (Canadian) – Illusions for Solo Cello

Alfred Schnittke – Sonata for Cello and Piano

Paul William Pura (Canadian) – Nemesis for Solo Piano

Serge Prokofiev – Sonata for Cello and Piano

Neither of the artists are daunted by the challenges which some of the music brings to their respective technical expertise. According to Shadick-Taylor the Schnittke “is definitely more challenging for the cellist than it is for the pianist.” Prochazka is just as intimidated by Shadick-Taylor’s solo piano piece, which was composed for her by Pura.

This promises to be a great concert.