July 2007 - Nr. 7
Music in Toronto
Sybille Forster-Rentmeister
The Brott Summer Music Festival came to Toronto
this year with a Beethoven Blitz. featuring the National Academy Orchestra
with Alain Trudel, one of Canda’s most exiting young conductors, and
Yi-Jia
Susanne Hou playing the violin in the Violin Concert in D Major, Op 61.
The program started with the Celebration Overture by Gary Kulesha and Martin MacDonald as associate conductor and was followed by the violin concerto. This piece most Beethoven lovers have heard hundreds of times and each time with each virtuoso it is different. This evening was no exception. This young lady plays it very sweet, but not too sweet, very romantic, but not too much so. She has a style all her own, not powerful, but strong and very crystal clear. There are passages in which she makes the listener reach for each note, longing for more, never having enough. Her interpretation is certain, without quivers, very Beethoven.
The conductor also managed to cause an interesting effect in the second part of the program when Symphony No. 5 in C minor, op. 67 was performed. There were passages that came out more defined in this concert than in others, lending different importance to parts of the score. Perhaps it was the explanation in the beginning of the symphony, Alain Trudel’s unabashed admiration for the master that made one listen more carefully to those 4 little notes that come back ad back and other 4 little notes that suddenly make up whole new universes of sound, telling an old story in a new way, like giving the emperor really new clothes.
No one would expect such perfection of communication in musicians so young. The teachers these artists had must have worked miracles to cause such enthusiasm in their students and such understanding. Or may be it is just because they have not forgotten yet their own excitement and curiosity about music. May be they have not played the music so often that it has become somewhat stale for them. It is still so fresh and new and exciting. Whatever it was, it worked wonderfully. No one is surprised that over 300 apprentices apply each year to get into this national training orchestra founded by Borris Brott. His Music festival of 20 years is a journey through music that is an experience to relish. Go to www.brottmusic.com to find out where you can catch a part of this festival that runs in various Ontario venues until August 23, 2007. and may you be so lucky to get good tickets!
A life celebrated with music
Kristine Bogyo, cellist, wife of Anton Kuerti, was remembered again on June 8th, 2007, in Walter Hall, the same place where she presented so many concerts in. The program started with a slide show of her life from childhood and memories by her aunt and uncle, who told us that she was only 3 years old when she announced to her mother and the world that she wanted to play the "big music", that is what she called the cello. And so she did. Everything she did in her life was centered on the music and served to enhance music, hers and that of others. It became self-apparent during the slideshow that she possessed a joy de vivre that was unique and burned with a bright flame. It is no wonder that she was loved so much by so many beyond her family ties. The testimonials by friends and students speak more than the words that were expressed.
As always she left nothing to chance before she exited the stage of this life. Having Russel Brown, with Caroline Maule, perform Schumann’s Dichterliebe, if a memorial were needed, was her special wish and expressed her love for those close to her, her husband especially, her sons and all those dear to her. The words by Heinrich Heine, sung so eloquently by Russell Braun, accompanied so tenderly by Carolyn Maule, hung in the hall like spheres of love, were absorbed and taken away by those that heard and understood.
There will be many carrying on her legacy, but mainly her husband, pianist Anton Kuerti, will make sure that Mooredale Concerts will continue to exist. We shall keep you posted.
