Duo Lynch-Gubnitskaia presents Ombre et Lumière, a program that reflects on the contrast between light and shadow, and the beauty that lies therein. This program begins with selections from Lili Boulanger’s stunning song cycle Clarières dans le ciel, composed in 1914, just four years before her untimely death. Characteristic of Boulanger’s compositional style, these songs are marked by crystalline and colourful soundscapes tinged with melancholy and tenderness. We continue with selections from Onze poèmes pour la main gauche by Montreal-based composer Bruce Mather, written in 2000. Mather’s rich post-tonal harmonies and textures frame the deeply introspective poems of famed Québécoise writer Anne Hébert. Hébert’s texts convey a slight sense of bleakness in the way that they address feelings of repression and longing. Polina then performs an excerpt of the Sonatine for solo piano by Maurice Ravel. The program continues with Francis Poulenc’s most famous song cycle, Tel jour telle nuit. The title of this work summarizes the contrast between night and day, light and shadow—a perfect blend of quiet wonder and radiance with bittersweet sadness. Complex emotions are brought to life through Poulenc’s illumination of Paul Éluard’s evocative poetry. Finally the program will conclude with two stand-alone pieces; the first one by H Leslie Adams called Prayer is from a collection of songs called Nightsongs written in 2018. It is a peaceful and introspective prayer asking for guidance during a moment of quietude. The Final piece, Night by Florence Price beautifully captures the essence of Ombre et Lumière. It paints the picture of a woman in the sky, sitting upon a couch of shadows, lighting the stars beneath the moon; an awe-filled, peaceful moment in which to conclude this program’s journey.
