Internationally renown violist Rivka Golani has fostered a strong relationship with First Nations and Southern Alberta over the past nine years.
She will be playing her second annual fundraising concert for the University of Lethbridge FNMI First Nations and Metis Bursary, Friday, Dec. 12 at CASA.
The Israeli born Golani moved to Canada in the mid-’70s and taught at the University of Toronto and began her solo career before moving to London, England.
The concert at CASA, Dec. 12 features Golani, pianist Deanna Oye and percussionist Adam Mason.
“It is an ongoing nine year project with First Nations,” she explained, rehearsing for the concert in Deanna Oye’s office.
She first became familiar with the area through masters classes she held through through the Fort Macleod International Festival and even received an honurary doctorate from the University of Lethbridge in 2013. She got to know several First Nations people upon first playing Southern Alberta.
“I was touring with the Edmonton Symphony Orchestra and had a few free days, so I asked my manager to please fill them with shows at places where nobody goes and one of them was Fort Macleod,” she said adding that performance grew as she decided to teach several masters classes and lead to the Fort Macleod International Festival.
“The first time I got there, my first thought was I was in a Fellini film. There was only one street. I didn’t think anybody would come out, but the first concert was full,” she recalled adding one of the students in the first Master’s class, Brooke Day, eventually moved to London, England and got married there.
While raising money is important for the bursary, she said it is more important to inspire.
“ The one goal I have is I want to encourage young people to study. We think they are our future,” she explained.
Deanna Oye is excited about the concert.
“ We’ve been talking about this for some time. It’s a different program every year and a different room at CASA. It’s an opportunity to connect with people,” she said.
“ And Rivka is also doing workshops with both conservatory and master’s students,” she continued adding her favourite part of preparing for the concert is working with Golani.
“ For me it’s an opportunity for me to collaborate with Rivka,” she said.
“ For me it’s a really nice chance to be inspired by my friends,” Golani added.
During the intermission there will be a special secret presentation reflecting one of Golani’s other passions and her affection for Southern Alberta First Nations culture.
“We have a special secret presentation to make but I don’t want to say any more because I don‘t want to spoil it,” Golani enthused.
The concert will begin at 8 p.m. with Fritz Kreisler’s “Midnight Bells,” Michael Colgrass’ “Variations for Drums, a special presentation followed by Ernest Bloch’s “Suite for Viola and Piano and Brahms’ “ Hungarian Dances #1 and 3.”
Tickets are $40 regular, $20 for seniors, alumni and students with all of the proceeds going to the bursary fund.
— by Richard Amery, L.A. Beat Editor
