Guest talk and workshop
Eve Egoyan (BMus ’85), acoustic and augmented piano
Mauricio Pauly, chromaharp, lapsteel, percussion, live sampling and processing

Hopeful Monster is a fresh venture by Eve Egoyan and Mauricio Pauly — a recording and performance project that breathes new life into the piano’s sonic and expressive capabilities. The duo spent four days in the early summer of 2022 recording in the Wong Theatre at Simon Fraser University in downtown Vancouver. Their concert in Victoria on October 29 is the first on their “Hopeful Monster” album launch tour.

In this session, Eve and Mauricio will demonstrate their unique set up which includes grand piano augmented with electronics, live sampling and electronic processing as well as a combination of percussion instruments, lapsteel and chromaharp (a type of zither). They will talk about their individual and co-creative practices and how their work converged to create their new album, Hopeful Monster.

ABOUT THE ARTISTS

Born in Victoria, BC, UVic Distinguished Alumna Eve Egoyan (BMus ’85), is an exceptional pianist known for her innovative approach to contemporary classical music. Egoyan was a student of Eva Solar-Kinderman at UVic and honed her craft at Juilliard School, where she cultivated a unique musical voice marked by emotional depth and storytelling prowess. Egoyan’s career took an exciting turn as she became a trailblazer in performing works by living composers. Her collaborations with composers allowed her to push the boundaries of traditional piano performance, incorporating avant-garde techniques, silences, and experimental sounds into her repertoire. Recognized internationally, Egoyan has graced prestigious stages, captivating audiences with her virtuosity and interpretations. Her recordings have garnered acclaim, enriching the contemporary classical music catalog. In addition to her performances, she’s dedicated to music education, inspiring emerging musicians through workshops and masterclasses. Eve Egoyan’s impact extends beyond her captivating performances; she’s a driving force in modernizing classical music, bridging the gap between tradition and innovation. Her legacy as a transformative pianist and advocate for contemporary composers solidifies her position as a revered figure in the world of classical music.

Mauricio Pauly is a versatile composer, performer, and producer known for blending instrumental, electronic, and amplified music. With a dynamic portfolio, he collaborates across disciplines, engaging writers, designers, programmers, and theater-makers. His innovative compositions have graced esteemed festivals globally, including Ultima Festival (Norway, 2011), Warsaw Autumn (Poland, 2013), and Darmstadt International Summer Courses (Germany, 2010/12/14/16). Notable recent projects involve sound design for the 2017 Salzburg Festival’s production of Wedekind’s LULU and premiering pieces with Line Upon Line Percussion and No Hay Banda. An accomplished educator, Pauly is an Associate Professor at SFU’s School for the Contemporary Arts, Vancouver.