Our final Chamber Music at the Rex concert this season is Folk Songs & Brahms, a performance that erases the line between classical and folk music, taking place on Saturday, March 23 at 7:30 in The Rex Hall.
John Kastelic collaborates with The Black Dog String Quartet to present a premier performance of his songs for voice and string quartet. These latest songs sparkle with ingenuity, thoughtfulness, and a breathtaking lyricism. As a counterpoint to the songs, the group presents Brahms' stunning String Quintet No. 2, a late work which reveals a particular love of Hungarian folk music.
A phenomenally gifted musician, John Kastelic is highly sought-after as a violist, violinist, and teacher. Equally at home in classical and pop music, he has performed on stage with internationally renowned artists including Mariah Carey and Michael Bublé. He has performed as principal violist with the Prince George Symphony Orchestra, the Trans-Siberian Orchestra, and the Plastic Acid Orchestra and is a regular member of the Kamloops Symphony Orchestra. As a violist, John is active with two experimental rock bands: The Living and Strength of Materials. Along with his brother, Tony Kastelic, he is half of the fiddle-rock duo, Salt Thief. On violin, he performs frequently with Jay Malinowski and the Deadcoast, with whom he completed a cross-Canada tour in the spring of 2014. John holds a Bachelor’s Degree in music from the University of British Columbia where he graduated with a double-major in composition and music scholarship, studying viola with David Harding. Raised in southern Alberta, he has called Vancouver home since 2005. Outside his musical occupations, John is an enthusiastic bicyclist, reader, and gardener.
Formed in 2007, the Black Dog String Quartet is comprised of some of Vancouver’s finest young musicians. The group has appeared on the recordings of artists such as 54-40, Marianas Trench, Bleeding Through, and many others. Individual members have performed live on stage with some of the world’s top acts, including Rod Stewart, Kanye West, Sting, The Trans-Siberian Orchestra, and Video Games Live. Recent performance highlights include appearances with Tambura Rasa, Vancouver Peace Choir, and Karen Flamenco Dance Company.
Tickets are $25, $10 Youth (under 19), $15 KSOundcheck Members (age 19-34), and can be purchased from Kamloops Live! Box Office at 250-374-5483 or www.kamloopslive.ca.
learn more about the concert