In the summer of 2017, Rashaan Allwood presented the first book of Messiaen's prolific suite for solo piano, the Catalogue d'Oiseaux. This cycle sets bird song against bold French landscapes. As a tribute to the Canadian Bicentennial, Allwood presented this work, recalibrated as a celebration of Canada's rich natural settings. He commissioned Canadian artist, Avery Kua, to visually reset these pieces in Canada, replacing the French Alps with the Kluane Mountains of Alberta, the Branderaie de Gardepee with the Morgan Arboretum in Quebec, and the Vermeille Coast with the Lockston Provincial Park in Newfoundland and Laborador. Finally, Rashaan commissioned Canadian composer, Alondra Vega-Zaldivar to create a new work for solo piano inspired by Canadian nature, which she entitled "Two Cardinals."
For more information about composer, Alondra Vega-Zaldivar: https://www.alondravz.net/ For more information about the artist, Avery Kua: https://www.averykua.com/
Rashaan will be performing the second and third books of the Catalogue d'Oiseaux, commissioning new artists and composers to continue this celebration of Canada and its beautiful landscapes.