Event Details

When:

Time: 12:30–1:30 pm

Location: Quance Theatre, 1003 Education Building

About the Presentation: 2026 marks the 100th birthday of the great Hungarian composer György Kurtág–-an influential and important composer of the 20th  and 21st century. His music, in its intense brevity, offers a unique perspective into musical style and expressivity. To celebrate Kurtág’s centenary and music, this lecture-recital will include a discussion of his musical style and influences, both musical and literary. It will also include a full performance of the Attila József-Fragments, op. 20, for unaccompanied voice. This work exemplifies Kurtág’s expressive and highly specialized musical language, and offers various examples of masterful use of extended vocal techniques. For singers, for musicians of all kinds, for lovers of literature, this presentation will give insight into one of the great European composers of our time.

About the Lecturer: Helen Pridmore is an award-winning musician and educator. As a vocal soloist and chamber musician she has performed across Canada and the USA, including a solo appearance at Carnegie Hall with the American Symphony Orchestra. She has also performed in Mexico, Europe and Japan. With a focus on contemporary and experimental music, Helen has premiered many works by Canadian composers, with recent performances in Edmonton, Brandon, Winnipeg and Fredericton. In Saskatoon she works with a variety of community groups as pianist and singer. As a composer, she has written for solo voice, choir, and instrumental ensembles. Her music was recently featured in the production of Cantate pour légumes at Theâtre La Troupe du Jour, Saskatoon. Holding a B.Mus. from the University of Saskatchewan, a Mus.M. from the University of Toronto, and a DMA from the Eastman School of Music, Helen has been Associate Professor of Music at Mount Allison University and the University of Regina.

She twice won the Paul Paré Teaching Award at Mount Allison. Of her three CDs released on the CMC’s Centrediscs label, her 2012 album “...between the shore and the ships” won an East Coast Music Award.