In the classical world of music there are many styles of musicianship and interpretation of scores. And that can cause friction.
When freelance musicians discover a finely tuned chemistry with others, it is viewed as a gift, and the natural inclination is to form an ensemble.
The local chamber music scene is about to discover a new face. The trio Tersona mounts its second concert to launch St. Albert Chamber Music Society’s seventh season on Saturday, Oct. 15 at Red Willow Place (formerly the 50+ Club).
Tersona’s light repertoire, a selection from the 19th and 20th century, brings together masterpieces from Frank Bridge, Johannes Brahms, Ernest Bloch and Violet Archer.
The trio, composed of pianist Sylvia Shadick-Taylor, ESO violinist Anna Kozak and former ESO cellist Colin Ryan, first played together at the Violet Archer Centenary Celebration. Archer was a renowned Canadian composer and composition professor at the University of Alberta.
“During the rehearsal process, we realized we worked together well. We realized our musical interpretations fall in similar lines and our system of rehearsal is similar. We work very comfortably together. Three minds that appreciate music in the same way is very exciting,” said Shadick-Taylor.
Tersona starts the program with Bridge’s playful Miniatures.
“They fall in the zone of being very accessible and charming. They are not deeply philosophical, yet the integrity is very high,” Shadick-Taylor explained.
Brahms three-movement Sonata for Piano and Violoncello in E Minor is deeper, more reflective.
“The first movement is warm with a hauntingly beautiful melody. The second is light with a dance-like feeling, and the third movement has a very strong fugue. It’s very earthy like an Oktoberfest drinking song.”
Bloch’s romantic Three Nocturnes follow.
“It explores different landscapes. The first is spooky and quiet. The second movement is lyrical yet the colours are still dark. And the third is tempestuous as if all the monsters you’re afraid of have come out.”
Tersona closes with Archer’s Trio No. 1, an audacious composition with distinct variety.
“Some people find the work aggressive. But we find a fun interplay that has gracious and rhythmic moments. There are certain bold moments, but it’s very uplifting.
Opening the concert is 17-year-old Katy Berger, a disciple of the piano since the age of six. She is inspired by the Romantic era and has performed annually at the St. Albert Rotary Music Festival.
Berger performs two works: Edvard Grieg’s Nocturne, Op. 54, No. 4, a captivating piece that appears to shimmer and float, and Claude Debussy’s Reverie, another work that produces a dream-like atmosphere.
Preview
Tersona with special guest Katy Berger<br />St. Albert Chamber Music Society<br />Saturday, Oct. 15 at 7:30 p.m.<br />Red Willow Place<br />7 Tache St.<br />Tickets: $35 adults, $30 seniors/students. Season tickets are $140 and $120 respectively.<br />Call 780-459-5525 or visit Don’s Piano Place, 8 Riel Dr.
