Five Composers; Five Premieres: One Truly Canadian Legacy.​

Harry Somers wrote five piano sonatas over his lifetime. In 2026, Piano Lunaire presents the complete cycle and what’s more: we have commissioned five living Canadian composers to write new companion works, one for each sonata. Five world premiere “nanoSONATA’s” are going to be presented in Toronto and Montreal. The Toronto premiere takes place on Thursday, October 15th at 7:30pm, ending at 9:30pm (intermission included).

TICKETS AVAILABLE FOR NON U OF T ATTENDEES: $40

ADMISSION IS FREE FOR U OF T STUDENTS, STAFF AND ALUMNI

PROGRAMME:

SONATA No. 1, “Testament of Youth” (1945) by Harry Somers (1925-1999)

nanoSONATA No. 1,"Mimi ni nokoru"* (2026)

by Keiko Devaux

David Potvin, solo piano

nanoSONATA No. 2 "Sutra II"* (2025)

by Alison Yun-Fei Jiang

SONATA No. 2 (1946) by Harry Somers

Adam Sherkin, solo piano

SONATA No. 3 (1950) by Harry Somers

nanoSONATA No. 3, "After-image"* (2026)

for piano and electronics by Lily Koslow

Gabrielle Gagnon-Picard, solo piano

SONATA No. 4 (1950) by Harry Somers

Interlude: nanoSONATA No. 4, "In Light Alone"* (2026) by Adam

Bryn Blackwood, solo piano

SONATA No. 5 (1957) by Harry Somers

nanoSONATA No. 5, "Silhouette River"* (2026) by Saman Shahi

Stephanie Chua, solo piano

*World premiere

With a particular focus on Canada’s musical heritage, Piano Lunaire has launched the centennial-based Somers Sonata Pentad Project in 2026, highlighting the piano sonatas of Harry Somers, one of Canada’s most important composers and a foundational voice in the development of this country’s own musical lineage. We celebrate Somers’ legacy through performances of his five sonatas, alongside five newly commissioned companion works by living Canadian composers. These world premieres will honour Canada’s musical heritage while contributing to the new repertory for future generations of artists and audiences.​

🎼🎹

A few more details:

No dress code in effect. Begins promptly at 7:30pm; ends at 9:30pm.

DOORS: 7:00 PM

END: 7:00 PM

Questions? Please call: (+1) 416-825-2744 or email: info@pianolunaire.org

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