• Piano concerto No.1
• 1975
• 32'

Sonata 11’; Theme and Variations 14’; Rondo/Scherzo 7’
Based on traditional Mennonite hymns: (English Victorian hymns and American Gospel songs in German translations)
Commissioned by the Fast Foundation with the Manitoba Mennonite Historical Society.

Premiere: Irmgard Baerg, piano, the Winnipeg Symphony Orchestra, William Baerg, conductor, 1975.
Widely performed across Canada, (CBC Winnipeg Symphony, Boris Brott, conductor; Vancouver Symphony Orchestra, Jon Washburn, conductor; National Arts Centre Orchestra; Hamilton Philharmonic Orchestra; Kitchener-Waterloo Symphony Orchestra; Symphony Niagara, Mississauga Symphony and Georgian Bay Symphony, John Barnum, conductor; Boris Brott Summer Festival etc) and performances in the USA (Chicago, Seattle, North Dakota, Kansas, Philadelphia), and Bulgaria, and China, Howard Dyck, conductor.

Heard world-wide on radio, it is the most requested work on CBC Radio 2 in Canada and is heard on BBC, American and National Public Radio in the US. In 1996 it was #8 in sales on Classic FM, the most listened to classical broadcaster in the UK. In 2007 it was voted #50 in Australian Broadcasting poll of listeners for 100 Top Concertos.
2 piano version premiere: Irmgard Baerg and Jenny Regehr, 1986. Is often performed in this two piano version in church and community settings. Adapted as the score for the film And When They Shall Ask

Suitable for: pop concerts, also main classics concerts series.
Difficulty: Has been performed by pianists from teens to seasoned professionals and youth/community to professional orchestras.
Instrumentation: Piano, 2222/4330/timp/2 perc/strings.

Two piano four hands reduction (by Suzanne Davies), and orchestra study score for sale (full score and orchestra parts – rental)
On the CD The Mennonite Concerto (1983), Irmgard Baerg, piano, The London Symphony Orchestra, Boris Brott conductor.

“In our day great talent is required to make traditional music respectable…..there are many moving and delightful things throughout” Chester Duncan – Arts Manitoba 

“The style of the music varies from Mozartian lightness in the second movement variations, to the lazy jazz syncopations of the first movement and the fun-making play with bells and percussion in the final movement. Davies is definitely a populist composer.” David Doughly – Classic FM Magazine

• Buy CD
• Buy Piano Solo / Piano 2 Rehearsal Score
• Buy Orchestra Score
• Buy Miniature Study Score
• Rent Score / Parts
• Video
• Photos

  

  Irmgard Baerg (piano) and Victor on a break from the recording session of the Mennonite Piano Concerto with the London Symphony Orchestra at Abbey Road Studios, London,1989.

  

  Book cover of the Ben Horch Story by Peter Letkeman. Ben Horch was the ‘midwife’ for the Mennonite Piano Concerto.

  

  Rehearsals for the premiere of Mennonite Piano Concerto. William Baerg (conductor), Irmgard Baerg (piano) and Victor Davies (composer) Winnipeg, 1975.

  

  Rehearsals for the premiere of Mennonite Piano Concerto. William Baerg (conductor), Victor Davies (composer) Winnipeg Symphony Orchestra, 1975.

  

  Rehearsals for the premiere of Mennonite Piano Concerto. Ben Horch (far left) Irmgard Baerg (piano) and Victor Davies (composer) 1975.

  

  Rehearsals for the premiere of Mennonite Piano Concerto. Irmgard Baerg (piano) and Victor Davies (composer) Winnipeg Symphony Orchestra, 1975.

  

  Rehearsals for the premiere of Mennonite Piano Concerto. Victor Davies (composer) Winnipeg Symphony Orchestra musicians, Arthur Polson (concert master), Stan Label (principle bass) Rennie Reghr (principle viola) Julie Banton (principle cello), 1975.

  

  Mennonite Piano Concerto recording session, Boris Brott (conductor), Victor at Abbey Road Studios, London

  

  Irmgard Baerg (piano) on a break from the recording session of the Mennonite Piano Concerto with the London Symphony Orchestra at Abbey Road Studios, London,1989.

  

  Lori Davies, Victor, and Eric Tomlinson renowned recording engineer, recording The Mennonite Piano Concerto.

  

  After Mennonite Piano Concerto recording session at Abbey Road going home, Victor, Irmgard Baerg, and David Dueck (producer of the docu-drama feature film And When They Shall Ask) for which the Concerto was adapted as the score.

  

  Mennonite Piano Concerto rehearsal, Hunan China 1999. Hunan Conservatory Orchestra, Howard Dyck (conductor) Irmgard Baerg (piano)

  

  Lunch after Mennonite Piano Concerto concert with the Niagara Symphony , William Baerg, Irmgard Baerg (piano), Lori Davies, Michael Reason (conductor Niagara Symphony) Sharon Jarvis, Victor Davies.

  

  Cover for the Mennonite Piano Concerto album

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