This Sunday, December 17th at Brandon University’s Lorne Watson Recital Hall, and on Saturday December 23rd at Broadway Disciples United Church here in Winnipeg, The Clear Lake Festival will present a concert called “Holiday Highlights.”

Featuring music of Liszt, and Tchaikovsky as well as holiday classics such as Joy to the World and What Child is and more, this concert promises to be a concert full of holiday cheer and a great way to embrace this Christmas season.

The concert will feature two great Manitoba musicians, pianist and Sessional Instructor at Brandon University Daniel Tselyakov and renowned jazz songstress Monika Wall. The two of them will perform a mix of classical music inspired by the seasons and some holiday Christmas classics, set against a backdrop of holiday lights and Christmas decorations for some added intimacy.

Tselyakov will be playing selections from Franz Liszt’s piano cycle Weilnachtbaum, (Christmas Tree) as well as an arrangement for piano of Tchaikovsky’s Nutcracker Suite that was done by the celebrated pianist Mikhail Pletnev. As Tselyakov says, “It’s technically one of the most difficult pieces I have ever played, but I think audiences will come out of it just being incredibly excited and very energized…and I hope it will give people a lot of positive energy.”

The other part of the concert will feature the fantastic jazz singer Monika Wall, accompanied by Tselyakov. The two of them will use their talents to perform some holiday classics. As Wall explains “Many of the songs are themed around this theme of hope, peace and joy. We hope that people will leave feeling uplifted and joyous and have a feeling of the sense of the spirit of the season.”

“Holiday Highlights” as presented by Monika Wall and Daniel Tselyakov is sure to be a warm, intimate way to enjoy and rejoice in the spirit of the season.

The concerts take place This Sunday, December 17th at Brandon University’s Lorne Watson Recital Hall, and on Saturday December 23rd at Broadway Disciples United Church here in Winnipeg. Tickets are $25.00 in advance and $30.00 dollars at the door for more details visit the Clear Lake Festival’s website.