Chamber music on steroids

Like any other musical group, Duo Rendezvous has had their share of hair-raising tour experiences travelling on creaky ferries that threatened to miss the dock or driving through snowdrifts that jeopardized steering.

But that has never stopped Vancouver-based guitarist Daniel Bolshoy and violinist Jasper Wood from becoming chamber music missionaries both as performers and educators.

From the street corners of Argentina to the al fresco cafés in Paris, their repertoire crosses over from the classical romantic world of Bach, Debussy and Ravel to the more spirited world music of Astor Piazzolla, Django Reinhardt and George Gershwin.

Bolshoy and Wood are musical omnivores, devouring as much new repertoire from multiple styles and periods as time allows. The duo’s aim is to excite audiences with great music whether it’s classical, jazz, Latin or world.

Yet theirs is an extraordinary partnership that adds beauty and a touch of elegance whether they perform at a renowned concert venue or a small town community hall.

As part of a mini prairie tour, Bolshoy and Wood make their Arden Theatre debut on Sunday, Jan. 17. In addition to virtuosic musicianship, their signature concerts are peppered with engaging stories and a hefty dash of charm.

Bolshoy is a Moscow-born, Israeli raised citizen who came to North America after his father received a post-doctoral fellowship in Canada. Although no one in his family was musically inclined, he picked up a guitar “to impress girls.”

Unexpectedly he fell in love with the instrument and discovered a new world of classical music that previously had not existed for him.

“It (guitar) has a unique sound. It’s very fragile, a very delicate instrument. You never know the mood of the instrument. You never know what it will sound like. At times you can make it sound like a whole orchestra. At other times, it’s very intimate,” Bolshoy said.

After stints studying under Norbert Kraft at the University of Toronto and Ricardo Iznaolo, he now is head of the guitar department at Vancouver’s Symphony School of Music.

On the other hand, the New Brunswick born and raised Wood was born into a musical family of six brothers and sisters. He gave his first public appearance at the age of five. Wood later received a music degree from the Cleveland Institute of Music and in 1996 embarked on an international solo career.

“He is one of Canada’s greatest violinists. On the violin, he is brilliant, more of a leading personality. He can stand in the limelight and be a rock star.”

Although the duo’s program varies from concert to concert, Bolshoy said they would likely play a Bach sonata, Manuel de Falla’s Spanish Suite, Pablo Sarasate’s Dance of Death and several Piazzolla tangos.

“We’re serious about music, but we don’t like to appear serious. We work hard backstage, but on stage we like to have fun.”