Duo Majoya in concert: Canadian Suite Celebrations tour – organ and piano duets

Calendar
Tickets
When:
February 4, 2025 @ 7:00 pm – 8:30 pm
2025-02-04T19:00:00-08:00
2025-02-04T20:30:00-08:00
Where:
St. Andrew’s-Wesley United Church
Burrard at Nelson
Vancouver
Cost:
$20 Eventbrite or cash at the door. Free for anyone under 16 years old
Contact:
Event website
Duo Majoya is the husband-and-wife musical power couple of organist Marnie Giesbrecht and pianist Joachim Segger, the uniquely versatile and innovative keyboard team that has circled the globe performing keyboard duets of all combinations across North America, Europe, South Africa and Asia.
Just in time for the Valentine’s season, this dynamic duo brings their fun and light-hearted concert to St. Andrew’s-Wesley for one unforgettable night, performing a selection of works by Canadian composers Denis Bédard, Jacobus Kloppers, Ruth Watson Henderson, and others on St. Andrew’s-Wesley’s 4-manual Casavant Fréres organ (Opus 1475) and Steinway “Heirloom” concert grand piano.
This concert is part of Duo Majoya’s “Canadian Suite Celebrations” tour, which celebrates the music of Canadian composers, including Denis Bédard. The program features Bédard’s colourful, majestic and delightful Grande Suite for Organ and Piano, which is filled with memorable tunes and sparkling wit. Also on the program is Canadian-South African composer Jacobus Kloppers’ poignant and moving Last Rose of Summer.
Physical copies will also be available for sale at this concert.

Programme:

Grande Suite pour orgue et piano (2015-16) Denis Bédard (b. 1950)
I Ouverture – II Évocation (les Prairies canadiennes) – III Ritournelle – IV Dialogue – V Intermezzo – VI Menuet – VII Marche

Longlac Tableaux for organ and piano (2014)           Zachary Wadsworth (b. 1983)
III Meditation: The Aurora in Snow – II Tarantella: Black Fly Season

Suite for Piano and Organ (2011)                   Ruth Watson Henderson (b. 1932)
I Prelude – II Interlude – III Romance – IV Dance

Wind Riders of Alberta (2018)            Cary Ratcliff (b. 1953)
– A Clatter of Aspens – A Dance of Whooping Cranes

The Last Rose of Summer for Piano and Organ (2011)          Jacobus Kloppers (b. 1937)

Capriccio pour orgue et piano (2007)            Denis Bédard

 

As Duo Majoya, Marnie Giesbrecht and Joachim Segger have performed a distinctive repertoire of commissioned, original and arranged works on community and university concert series, at conventions and international organ festivals. Commissions include works for organ duet and organ/piano by Canadian and international composers funded by the RCCO (Royal Canadian College of Organists), AFA, Canada Council, and other sources. Commissions include more than twenty pieces for organ duet and organ/piano by Canadian and international composers; Duo Majoya records a broad range of keyboard duet repertoire on CDs and videos.

Enthusiasts and advocates for the development of organ music in Edmonton and Canada through leadership roles in the RCCO and other regional and national musical organizations, Giesbrecht and Segger also serve the Edmonton community as music directors at First Presbyterian Church. The duo was inducted into the Edmonton Cultural Hall of Fame in June, 2014 for their individual careers and exceptional work as Duo Majoya. In July, 2015, Giesbrecht and Segger were inaugurated Honorary Fellows of the Royal Canadian College of Organists.

Giesbrecht and Segger began playing piano duets upon meeting as students. Their piano studies intersected in the classes of Ernesto Lejano (University of Alberta) and Kurt Neumüller (Mozarteum in Salzburg); and the Eastman School of Music (Cecile Genhart and Barry Snyder). Playing piano duets continues to be a constant joy.
Dr. Giesbrecht is Professor Emerita and University Organist at the University of Alberta; and Adjunct Professor of at The King’s University; Dr. Segger is Professor of Music and Chair of the Music Department at The King’s University.