Prairie Sons to bring cello-piano duo to Steinbach

Described as rising stars on the music scene, Prairie Sons will be coming to Steinbach thanks to the Steinbach Arts Council.

The cello-piano duo of David Liam Roberts and Godwin Friesen will perform at the SRSS theatre on Nov. 2.

Their program is called “A Love Letter to the Prairies” and features classical composers including Rachmaninov and Poulenc as well as more contemporary works by Canadian icons such as Neil Young and Joni Mitchell.

“We’re doing some of our favourte classics but then also doing really new stuff that’s going to connect with people,” Friesen said.

Considered rising stars, both were named to CBC’s Hot 30 Classical Musicians Under 30, their energy and creativity have been impressing audiences.

Roberts and Friesen first came together at the Royal Conservatory’s Glenn Gould School of Music.

Friesen said piano and cello is a great fit.

“While maybe piano and violin is a more common pairing, piano and cello is still kind of a classic enough pairing that you get composers all the way back to Beethoven, over 250 years ago, writing for that pair,” he said.

He’s excited about coming to Steinbach and said every setting and every audience is different.

“Usually the shows in the smaller towns have a larger and more engaged audience,” he said.

Their Steinbach performance promises to be an evening of powerful, moving music.

Prairie Sons will also visit Fernwood Place for a free afternoon concert.

“I’ve done shows in seniors’ homes since I was a kid and I know that I’m bringing something really valuable to those people, especially nights when you do a song that they recognize and they’re singing along,” Friesen said.

Tara Schellenberg of the Steinbach Arts Council said they’re thrilled to host the duo.

“These emerging artists bring world-class skill, fresh ideas, and an energy that makes classical music feel alive and relevant today,” she said. “They will change the way our audience thinks about classical music.”

Tickets are on sale at steinbacharts.ca/Prairie-Sons or by calling 204-346-1077.