The Longest Night Society will be presenting a strings workshop and concert series from June 19–25
The Longest Night Society (LNS) is honoured to welcome violinist and clinician Karl Stobbe to the Yukon to work with string players from Problematic Orchestra, as well as invited youth players, for a week of workshops and concerts this June. The concert set will feature works by Bach, Bartok, Mozart, Sibelius and Holst.
“I’m really, really excited to have Karl Stobbe in town,” said Katie Avery, LNS producer and regular Problematic Orchestra member. “He did a workshop with us over Zoom during the pandemic, and it was just great. He was super helpful; even over Zoom, he was able to get us sounding great.”
While Avery is looking forward to many things surrounding the LNS workshops and concerts, other than working with Stobbe, she is most excited to welcome some of the Yukon’s own emerging string players into the fold.
“Some local string students will be joining us for portions of the concert,” Avery said. “Karl was really great about choosing repertoire that would fit different levels; some of it is more difficult, and that’s being played just by our core group. And then there’s just one piece that will have quite a big orchestra because it’s super epic, but it’s also very approachable.”
With so much happening in a stretch of just a few days, the program will be very intensive, according to Avery. The series will include evening workshops at Whitehorse United Church from June 19–22, rehearsals and concerts at Whitehorse United Church on June 23–24 and a final concert at the Carcross/Tagish Cultural Centre, Haa Shagóon Hídi, on June 25.
“Before Karl gets here, we’re just going to have a few sectionals,” said Avery. “We’re just going to get the different sections of the string orchestra together just to make sure they’re gelling and everybody knows what’s going on, so that when Karl gets here, we can really get to it at full speed.”
Stobbe is recognized as one of Canada’s most accomplished and diverse violinists and is known for his generous, rich sound and long, poignant phrasing. Avie Records’ recording of Karl, performing Eugène-Auguste Ysaÿe’s Solo Violin Sonatas, was nominated for a JUNO Award for Best Classical Album in 2015.
“Just the opportunity to see Karl Stobbe play is amazing,” said Avery. “He’s going to be doing a Bach concerto accompanied by us, so that’s great. And then a lot of the other pieces also have little violin solo moments in them that showcase our guest.”
Stobbe has performed in a host of world-famous concert halls, including New York’s Carnegie Hall and Boston’s Jordan Hall, and has taught throughout North America, giving masterclasses and teaching privately at music schools, universities and as part of summer programs.
Tickets for the LNS concerts with Karl Stobbe can be purchased at eventbrite.ca/e/problematic-orchestra-strings-tickets-642575960997. For more information on the LNS and the Problematic Orchestra, including other upcoming events, visit longestnight.ca. To keep up with Karl Stobbe, head over to karlstobbe.com.
“I think it’s going to be good,” said Avery. “My students that I have who are in this have been working hard at the parts that they’re going to be playing. And they’re going to kill it.”
