The first Pender Harbour Chamber Music Festival held last year in Madeira Park proved an unqualified success with sold out houses and, to quote one fan, "soul stirring musical experiences."
The organizers, who are also leading lights in the local Music Society, plan to do it again. In the second annual festival, on this weekend, they have added one more concert to the line-up, and have added covered seating on the patio to boost the space in their performance centre.
Because the concert space is small itlends itself to the more intimate feel ofchamber music. Organizer Lise Aylmer remembers that, "the electricity between the audience and the musicians was extraordinary. They feel it," she says. And they are top notch musicians who will be appearing, under the artistic direction of Alexander Tselyakov. The distinguished pianist is professor of piano at Brandon University in Manitoba, but he has a soft spot for the Sunshine Coast after performing here many times.
This year, the anticipated appearance of the award-winning violinist Andrew Dawes had to be cancelled because of an injury. He has been replaced with two other musicians, Joan Blackman and Oleg Pokhanovski.
"We had to find replacement musicians of a certain calibre," said Aylmer, "and also ones familiar with the repertoire." Joan Blackman, violinist, is associate concertmaster of the Vancouver Symphony Orchestra and is in demand as a soloist with the Victoria Symphony and other chamber ensembles. Oleg Pokhanovski, who performed at last year's festival, will also return. He has pursued a musical career since the age of six when he performed with the Kuybysev Symphony in Russia and has studied at Julliard and the Manhattan School with Pinchos Zukerman.
Also performing will be the award-winning and decorated cellist Julian Armour, artistic director of Ottawa's international Chamber Music Festival, the world's largest. Also on the bill is violist Guylaine Lemaire who is frequently heard on CBC where her chamber music recordings have won critical acclaim, and the Penderecki String Quartet. The group of two violinists, one violist and one cellist, was originally founded in Poland but have performed all over the world.Saturday's concert line-up features a super idea that gives the novice a taste of the music. Chamber Music Does Not Bite is the name of a free concert on Aug. 19 at 11 a.m. with a surprise program and an appearance from every musician. This is followed by a ticketed recital of the music of French composers Ravel, Debussy and Faure. In the evening, the Russians, Glinka, Borodin and Tchaikovsky, take their turn.
Special surprises include works by Schubert, Schumann and Beethoven. The Sunday afternoon concert will be recorded live by Michael Juk from CBC's Westcoast Performance for future broadcast. Two of the Canadian composers whose works will be heard will be in attendance on Sunday: Jocelyn Morlock from Vancouver will hear her work performed: Dervish, a composition for piano and violin, and Patrick Carrabre will hear his work presented: Black Echoes for solo piano.
At press time, some tickets were still available for Saturday and Sunday concerts. Phone 604-883-2130 for ticket sales or click on www.penderharbourmusic.ca for more.
