QUALICUM BEACH — A classical music program that will include traditional works by acclaimed Czech composers including Nedbal, Martinu, Janacek, Foerster and Suk will be performed this weekend at Music on Sunday at the The Old School House (TOSH) in Qualicum Beach.
With Roger Mangas on violin and Monica Pfau on piano the two will combine their talents to present an afternoon of music that draws from the rich history of the Czech Republic.
Mangas was drawn to the unique Czech style of violin playing through a variety of teachers. He began his university studies in Indiana with Czech violinists Eugen Prokop (recording artist/Salzburg Festival) and Pavel Kling (concertmaster of Vienna Symphony under von Karajan). He then completed his graduate studies at the University of Victoria with Jaroslav Karlovsky, recording artist/principal violist of the Czech Philharmonic and famed Prague String Quartet. This was followed by studies in Europe with another great Czech musician, Josef Kodousek, of the Vlach String Quartet. Since moving to Vancouver, Mangas has enjoyed an active teaching and performing schedule that has included appearances with the Vancouver Opera, CBC Radio, the Royal Winnipeg Ballet and chamber music tours. Most recently, he was a member of the orchestra that performed at the opening of the Vancouver 2010 Olympics.
Praised for her tonal warmth and sensitivity, Pfau has been a frequent guest on CBC Radio’s Westcoast Performance. She has recorded with the CBC Vancouver Orchestra, the VSO, as well as for the National Film Board of Canada. Prize winner in several national competitions, Pfau spent two seasons as accompanist-in-residence at the Banff Centre, where she appeared in recital with such international artists as Janos Starker and the Fine Arts Quartet. Subsequently she was awarded a German Academic Exchange Scholarship to study in Munich, as well as a fellowship for doctoral studies at UBC, making her orchestral debut under Kazuyoshi Akiyama.
Music on Sunday Feb. 19 goes from 2:30 to 4:30 p.m. at The Old School House Arts Centre, 122 Fern Road West, in Qualicum Beach. Admission is $16.
For more information phone 250-752-6133 or visit www.theoldschoolhouse.org.