A Classic Affair consists of EGRE sponsored recordings made with CBC’s sound engineer Anton Kwiatkovsky in Toronto during the early 90’s. Originally available on cassette and vinyl, it has been remastered digitally, and features the works of Sonia Eckhardt Grammatte, in addition to the music of Chopin, Schumann and Mendelssohn.

Holder of a Winnipeg Symphony Orchestra ‘Golden Baton Award’, pianist Irmgard Baerg is well known in her native Winnipeg and beyond for her work as concert pianist, CBC performer and collaborative keyboard musician in a variety of chamber contexts. She is probably most widely heard on the CBC as soloist in Victor Davies’ Mennonite Piano Concerto recorded in England with the London Symphony Orchestra in 1989.

Upon completion of her studies abroad in Detmold, Germany, she was appointed professor of piano studies at a founding Canadian Mennonite University college, earning Professor Emeritus status after 35 years of teaching. Utilizing study leaves supported alternately by Canada Council and Manitoba Arts Council, she had the rare privilege of studying among others with internationally acclaimed pianist and pedagogue, Leon Fleisher.

Works
1. Papillons, Op. 2 – Robert Schumann
2. Nocturne E 93 – Sonia Eckhardt-Gramatté
3. Bôite à Surprise E 16 – Eckhardt-Gramatté
4. Theme From My Childhood – Eckhardt-Gramatté
5. Variations Sérieuses Op. 54 – Mendelssohn,
6. Ballade in F Minor Op. 52 – Chopin