“We have music and we have style,” said Rosemary Bonderud, one of many volunteers for the Pender Harbour Chamber Music Festival – a group that fosters a growing interest in classical music. She’s right. Audiences count on the Festival for attracting superb musicians, developing an intimate atmosphere and providing diversity of programming. The 14th annual festival Aug. 17 to 19 was no exception.
The festival began with a free afternoon concert to showcase emerging talent and attract new audience. By all accounts, it was successful. The evening concert on Aug. 17 featured the Lafayette String Quartet and despite the attraction of Beethoven, the concert’s first half failed to energize. It was no fault of the musicians, but rather the sonorousness of the String Quartet No. 12 in E-flat Major, Opus 127. The third movement was decidedly eccentric even though the Victoria-based quartet gave a solid performance.
After intermission, the Brahms Piano Quartet in G minor, Opus 25 was rich in theme and exposition. The programme notes (by prize-wining violist, violinist and conductor Evan Hesketh) described how some of Brahms’ slow movements “remind us of a warm, tender hug.” The description seemed a bit over the top until you actually feel that sensation and realize it’s true. The success of this piece is perhaps thanks to the combination of Yariv Aloni on viola, Brian Yoon on cello and the festival’s artistic director Alexander Tselyakov on piano. Because musician David Gillham was unable to participate as advertised, violinist Ji Eun Jenny Lim, a graduate of the Juilliard School and a competition winner, was asked to step in on two days’ notice to perform. She was a bright light, both musically and in her stage presence.
Surely the finale, Sunday’s final concert, was a highlight of the festival; it was certainly strong enough to attract a visit from eminent bassoonist George Zukerman who enjoyed the music as an audience member. In the opening Mozart selection, String Quintet No. 3 in C Major, the Lafayette String Quartet was joined by Yariv Aloni on viola and the interplay between cello and first violin was a delight. Jenny Jonquil on clarinet added immensely to Swedish-Finnish composer Bernhard Crusell’s finale of his Quartet No. 3 in D Major, Opus 7.
The strong finish for the festival was vested in Hungarian composer Ernst von Dohnanyi’s uplifting Piano Quintet No. 1 in C minor, Opus 1. The music swelled, sweeping the audience along extravagantly as the piece – and the festival – came to a dramatic conclusion.
Next year’s festival, Aug. 16 to 18, is already in the planning stages.
