Mercer brings in two of the best for next concert
Mayumi Seiler and Joel Quarrington headline Saturday concert
Smack dab in the middle of the 10th anniversary season of her 5 at the First Chamber Music Series, artistic director Rachel Mercer is bringing in the heavy hitters.
For the series’ next concert Saturday, Mercer has invited two of her musical paragons, violinist Mayumi Seiler and double bassist Joel Quarrington.
The Osaka, Japan-born Seiler, who is on the faculty of Toronto’s Glenn Gould School, has performed on stages around the world and recorded for various labels. The Toronto-born Quarrington, HPO principal bass from 1979 to 1988, is currently principal bass with Ottawa’s National Arts Centre Orchestra where Mercer is principal cello.
“For the past four years, I’ve had the pleasure of playing with him in the NAC Orchestra, and, of course, most of the symphonic repertoire demands that the bass and cello section are working together to power the low end of the orchestra,” Mercer told The Spectator. “Playing with Joel is a masterclass in music-making, from the way he draws his bow, to the rhythmic energy, to the way he shapes the whole group and performance with his bass part. I draw constantly from what he gives and learn so much just from listening and getting to talk to him.”
Seiler, too, is no stranger to Mercer. Both have performed together whether in the Seiler Trio or with Seiler’s Via Salzburg chamber music ensemble.
“Mayumi’s vision shaped this group (Via Salzburg) throughout the 14 years of its existence, and she led us with conviction, grace, integrity and the highest standards at all times,” said Mercer.
Seiler and Quarrington were given carte blanche to choose whatever they wished to play in the concert’s first half. Seiler opted for Mendelssohn’s “Violin Sonata in F minor” op. 4 written in 1825. She’ll be accompanied by pianist Angela Park, the “A” in the AYR Trio who’ll be heard from in the concert’s second half. Quarrington selected Rossini’s “Duetto for violoncello and double bass” which he recorded with Coenraad Bloemendal in 1982, and has since performed with Mercer including a few times already this season.
“It’s a great virtuoso piece for both instruments,” said Mercer of the Rossini. “It’s a party piece for us. I’m not really sure who is going to be having more fun, the audience or us. Expect shenanigans!”
After intermission, Seiler and Quarrington will join with the AYR Trio, the two other members of which being Yehonatan Berick on viola and Mercer on cello, for yet another gold star chamber work, Schubert’s “Piano Quintet in A major.”
Nicknamed the “Trout Quintet” because its fourth movement is a theme and variations on Schubert’s song “Die Forelle,” German for “The Trout,” the work has become one of Schubert’s most popular pieces.
“The Trout perhaps stands out as the happiest piece Schubert composed,” said Berick. “The energy, the bright key of A major, which gets the strings’ sound to be quite sunny, the rhythmic action, and above all, the constant smile. I personally could play it and hear on loop for days on end.”
Thursday, Feb. 27 at 8 p.m. in the Burlington Performing Arts Centre, 440 Locust St., Adonis Rose leads the New Orleans Jazz Orchestra in music by Allen Toussaint. Tickets: $69.50, 905-6816000. Saturday, Feb. 29 at 2 p.m. in McMaster’s L.R. Wilson Hall, Colin Clarke leads the Hamilton Philharmonic Youth Orchestra in “Romance and Reminiscence.” Tickets at door: $10, under 18 $5, 905-869-4796.
Saturday, Feb. 29 at 8 p.m. in The Rock on Locke, 320 Charlton Ave. W., composer-pianist Robert Bruce and dancer-choreographer Kate Hilliard present “Eternal Spring.” Tickets: at door $25, advance $20 at robertbrucemusic.com, student/senior $15.
Sunday, March 1 at 4 p.m. in the BPAC’s Community Studio Theatre, 440 Locust St., the Cheng Squared Duo — pianist Silvie Cheng and her brother, cellist Bryan Cheng — perform works by Beethoven, Ravel, and others. Tickets: $49, 905-6816000.
Tuesday, March 3 at 7:30 p.m. in the BPAC, 440 Locust St., guest conductor Daniel Black leads the HPO in Re: Sound. Music by Bach, Mozart, and Stravinsky with high-def video imagery. Tickets: $41.50, 905681-6000.