A little over a decade ago pianist Katherine Dowling and violinist Kerry DuWors first shared the stage at Saskatoon’s Ritornello Chamber Music Festival, and it was the start of a collaboration that is still going strong.

“We have an unspoken, deeply entrenched connection of how we feel the music. It makes it more magical for sure.”

“I think it’s something incredibly palpable when we share the stage. She’s my musical soul sister,” says DuWors. “We have an unspoken, deeply entrenched connection of how we feel the music. It makes it more magical for sure.”

While the pandemic has put the festival on hold, the Ritornello team waited for the right opportunity to start sharing music again. When the chance to collaborate with Prairie Debut, an organization that brings the highest of Canadian classical and global music across the Prairies and northern Canada, they seized the moment.

“We want people to know we are still here, still dreaming of future performances and returning to our regular festival,” says Ritornello co-founder Jacqueline Woods. “This performance is our way of reconnecting with the community and sharing beautiful music, and it’s even more special that it showcases our long-time Ritornello collaborators and friends.”

The Singing Spirit features music by three of the most celebrated composers of the Romantic era: Robert and Clara Schumann who remained devoted to their art and each other through incredible challenges and, Johannes Brahms, their lifelong confidante and family friend. It is a musical tribute to love, friendship and connection.

“This music, written in the midst of adversity, still inspires delight in those who hear it,” says Po Yeh, executive director of Prairie Debut. “We couldn’t be more pleased to support our community by partnering in this livestream event.”

Dowling says the bonds of friendship with DuWors compliments the program perfectly.

“This music is a celebration of friendship. After all, friends are what have gotten us through this troubled time.”

“As a human race, we are all in need of emotional release right now, we need that release, a musical catharsis,” she says. “This music is a celebration of friendship. After all, friends are what have gotten us through this troubled time.”

The concert will be broadcast LIVE from Glass & Lumber in Saskatoon with state-of-the-art audio-visual technology. Limited in-person tickets will be also be available.

“It’s time to let our souls sing again, it’s something we all need.” says DuWors. “This music transports us out of our current reality and allows us to just let go.”

The Singing Spirit

Thurs. February 17, 2022

7:30p.m.

Glass & Lumber

Digital Tickets $20

For information on streaming and to see the show, follow this link.