Review Posted Monday, November 18, 2013
[Excerpted below – View the complete article here.]

The concert on November 17th, Rhapsody in Blue, was a marrying of two genres—classical and jazz. On stage with the Orchestra were guests maestro Airat Ichmouratov, clarinetist Kornel Wolak and pianist Chris Donnelly. It was an immensely energetic, comedic and virtuoso display of musical talent. 

Some of the most timeless and ever-popular works played were Oscar Peterson’s “Hymn to Freedom”, Vivaldi’s The Four Seasons Concerto No. 2 in G minor “Summer” and, my personal favorite, George Gershwin’s “Rhapsody in Blue”. Wolak and Donnelly were witty and charming with hilarious banter between their shared performances. Together they took a Bach piece to the next level with, none other than, spoons. That’s right—two stainless steel Ikea spoons! Donnelly could get himself a second Juno-nomination for his amazing percussion abilities. He held on to a variety of intricate rhythms while Wolak played illustrious Bach melodies, while managing not to pass out from a lack of oxygen. The crowd loved every second of it.

Each song was carefully curated for that specific concert. Audience members were treated with the first-ever live playing of Torontonian Hilario Duran’s “Suite Latinoamericana”, a piece that was specifically commissioned for the show…

By James Reaney, The London Free Press

A duo ready to play anything and everything from Vivaldi to Oscar Peterson joins forces with Orchestra London this weekend.

“The music we perform reflects our individual histories, but also what happens when you put two distinct artists together,” pianist Chris Donnelly said in media material.

“This program is our common ground. What makes this collaboration special is that two artists, with vastly different musical histories, can still share the stage together, connect with each other, and (presumably) connect with audiences. Hence, the wide variety of musical styles.”

Juno-­nominated Canadian pianist Donnelly is a master of jazz and classical music. His Wolak/Donnelly Duo mate is acclaimed clarinet player Kornel Wolak, who was born in Poland.

“I notice that after working with Chris for the past two years, I have gained a more relaxed or spontaneous approach to the classical compositions we play and I know that Chris says the exact opposite,” Wolak said. “His approach has become more systematic. It is a great learning curve for both of us. Most important is that our audiences seem to truly enjoy our concerts.”

Sunday [November 17th] afternoon’s program at Centennial Hall is to include Gershwin’s Rhapsody in Blue, Canadian icon Peterson’s Hymn to Freedom, works by Vivaldi, Rossini andmore.

The Wolak/Donnelly Duo’s 2013 album Common Ground is on Alma Records.