Parkside Live Presents: The Linden Trio

The Linden Trio

Sanctuary of sounds for urban landscapes

Eric Kim-Fujita-violin, Sebastian Ostertag-cello & Matti Pulkki-accordion

Sponsored by: Deirdre Slowey, Sothebys international Realty, Canada

Bring your blanket and lawnchairs for a magical evening of music in the garden of Redeemer Lutheran Church. A FREE/ PAY-WHAT-YOU-CAN show with all concert donations supporting the Bloor by the Park Community Pantry

Cellist Sebastian Ostertag, accordionist Matti Pulkki, violinist Eric Kim-Fujita, and invite you to a dynamic, dance-inspired concert where fire and reflection meet. The program features Astor Piazzolla’s electrifying Estaciones Porteña alongside the haunting stillness of Sofia Gubaidulina’s Silenzio and Joni Mitchell’s Both Sides Now. Moving seamlessly between works, the evening explores tango’s pulse, its shadows, and its lyric heart, as well as it's influences and musical offshoots. Expect virtuosic flair, close-up musical conversation, and the rare thrill of experiencing these powerful works up close and personal.

About the Artists

Sebastian Ostertag has performed as a soloist with the Georgian Bay and Prince George Symphony Orchestras, Northern Orchestra British Columbia, the Kincardine Summer Music Festival Orchestra, and on CBC Radio and Classical 96.3 FM. Further performances have included the Banff Centre, Tafelmusik Baroque Summer Institute, Luminato Festival, Nuit Blanche Toronto, Symphony in the Barn, and Sweetwater Music Festival, as well as with the Tran-Siberian Orchestra, Persian Popstar Moein, and the Eagles. He is currently a Centre Director at Sistema Toronto (Parkdale), and a member of Interro Quartet. He lives in Toronto with his wife Esther, and their young boy Linden.

Finnish accordionist Matti Pulkki is acclaimed for his imaginative and creative exploration of the vast expressive potential of his instrument. Currently based in Toronto, Pulkki performs as a soloist and with ensembles worldwide. His ongoing chamber music projects include the eclectic voice and accordion duo Sawtooth with vocalist Sarah Albu, the Toronto-based Freesound Performance Collective, and the internationally acclaimed classical crossover ensemble Quartetto Gelato. A passionate educator and advocate for his instrument, Pulkki regularly presents lectures and workshops for composers and accordionists in Europe and North America. He holds a Master’s degree from the Sibelius Academy of the University of the Arts Helsinki and a Doctor of Musical Arts degree from the University of Toronto, where his academic research focused on collaborative processes between performers and composers in contemporary accordion music.

Dr. Eric Kim-Fujita was recently awarded a doctoral degree at the University of Toronto, studying with Timothy Ying and Annalee Patipatanakoon. He is a graduate of the Master’s program in violin performance at McGill University, and holds a Bachelor’s degree in performance from the University of Western Ontario. Chamber music has always been a passion for Eric, who enjoys working and interacting with colleagues. He attended numerous chamber academies including the Saint Lawrence String Quartet Seminar, McGill International String Quartet Academy and the Toronto Summer Music Festival. At the current Toronto Summer Chamber Music Academy, Eric had the pleasure of studying and performing with distinguished chamber musicians such as Jonathan Crow, Steven Dann and Ian Brown, as well as his long-time instructor Mark Fewer and the former artistic director of TSMA, Douglas McNabney.

*In case of rain, concert will be held indoors at Redeemer Lutheran Church