During the Pender Harbour Chamber Music Festival’s Mid-winter Weekend, Feb. 25 and 26, glorious music played by three immensely talented musicians was a perfect tonic for the last days of winter. Long time friends, violinist Corey Cerovsek, cellist Adrian Brendel and pianist Michelle Mares, presented two concerts that will be long remembered by capacity audiences who could barely contain their admiration and appreciation.
Each musician has a stellar international reputation that began at an astonishingly early age. Born in Vancouver and now a citizen of the world, Cerovsek set his mark early by completing his PhD studies in both music and mathematics at the age of 18. Mares, another Vancouver prodigy, debuted at age 10 with the Mozarteum Orchestra in Salzburg, Austria and later completed her music studies there before embarking on a successful concert career in Europe. Londoner Brendel, son of renowned pianist Alfred Brendel and considered one of the finest cellists of his generation, is also artistic director of the dynamic Plush Festival in England.
From the moment Cerovsek, Brendel and Mares walked on stage at Pender Harbour’s intimate School of Music, you could feel their affection for each other and for the challenging repertoire they had selected for the weekend. During his introduction, Brendel received a laugh from the audience when he called the programme “chunky,” but that was no understatement. It was a tour de force, particularly by pianist Mares who dazzled in her foundation role in all seven demanding pieces. Cerovsek reinforced his reputation for a delicate balance of superb technique and passionate intensity and his performance of César Franck’s Violin Sonata in A Major brought many to tears. In his offering of Chopin’s Cello Sonata in G minor, Brendel demonstrated the broad range of sound and emotion that can be created by a true master musician who clearly loves his instrument.
As impressive as the artists were individually, it was their collective voice that impressed. During their performances of the Piano Trio in B Flat Major, Archduke by Beethoven and again in Brahms’ Trio No. 2 in C Major, the audience could feel the power of their exceptional musical talents and hear their fluid ease as a trio. With a warm smile from Mares, a gentle nod of the head from Cerovsek and a subtle squaring of the shoulders by Brendel, they became one. It was magic.
Following the exciting success of this recent weekend, the Pender Harbour Chamber Music Festival will now focus on the upcoming three-day summer Festival Aug. 18 to 20. This will celebrate Canadian musicians in Canada’s 150th year – including audience favourites the Gryphon Trio, James Campbell and Joan Blackman. Watch for details coming soon on www.penderharbourmusic.ca
– Submitted by Rosemary Bonderud
