After 10 years of international chamber music Mayumi Seiler and her merry group of musicians still produce and deliver some of the most enjoyable and affordable experiences in Toronto. The members of the string orchestra change occasionally and there are always guest artists of great renown. Instead of only offering the well known repertoire that is expected the program is always spiked with a newer or original and/or commissioned work, which keeps listeners on their toes and hopefully willing to experience something different.

The last offering, which took place as usual at the fabulous Glenn Gould studio with its perfect acoustic, revived Michael Oesterle’s Archimedes Codex, which was originally commissioned by Via Salzburg in the first year of its founding. What better time to revive this wonderfully interesting sound scape than now, after 10 years of achievements.

This was followed by a Sonata for Strings by Josef Suk, 1874-1935, and more familiar to the ears of most music lovers that prefer more classical harmonies.

But the real departure from the norm came after the intermission, when Coco Trivisonne played his Bandoneon, accompanied by the strings to rivet us with the sounds of Tango, his version of the Tango, which has a distinctly different flavor than the original South American versions have. After a translated story of the instrument, which originated in similar form in Germany and was likely brought to South America by German sailors, a pair of Tango dancers displayed their tremendous skill in this expressive dance. The audience was fascinated and delighted, as was also evident at the end of the concert, when the standing ovation did not quite want to end.

Standing ovation did not quite want to end

Special thank you has to go to Dr. William Macrae, who has supported Via Salzburg since its beginning. In an address after intermission he illustrated his love for this orchestra and music with a most appropriate analogy: "…I have two pieces of paper: one represents a sub-prime mortgage, another an asset-backed commercial paper. Both these originated with great promise, hope and value. Now, each is worth substantially less with the associated broken dreams, decimated holdings and a future in doubt.

I have a third piece of paper. It is a musical score; actually the one composed by Josef Suk in 1896, and played so expertly tonight by our chamber orchestra. This score, this piece of paper is the same as it was when it was composed and will be one hundred years from now. This score is unretouched, authentic, and not leveraged. Also, it has the power to enlighten, give joy and provide beauty as it did in 1896, tonight and in the future. In other words it continually produces dividends."

He knows that culture is good for the soul and thus deserves to be supported. We need music like we need air to breath. Music never makes false promises, he pointed out and he concluded: "I had three pieces of paper - three different options. My choice is clear. I believe that Via Salzburg is a good investment!"

We could not agree more!

Read the full speech of Dr. William Macrae

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• Via Salzburg: Quickening Breath