Violinist Laurence Kayaleh and cellist Elizabeth Dolin are bringing their British Columbia tour to Powell River with three different classical music pieces and Dolin can use one word to describe the performance: demanding.
“These are very demanding pieces and all of them put both of us on a pedestal,” said Dolin. “Laurence and I have played together in different formations over the past few years and it’s always great. She and I get along very well musically and we have a good rapport and similar backgrounds and playing styles.”
The duo will treat the audience to three popular works by Rheinhold Glière, Zoltan Kodaly and Maurice Ravel.
Each piece reflects the composers’ native countries through their use of folk character, which gives a taste of Glière’s native Russia, Kodaly’s Hungary and Ravel’s unique style, impressionistic yet imbued with a Spanish flair.
“The three different pieces are a trip down folklore lane,” said Dolin. “Each of them is sort of a little portrait and they are very beautiful jams and really fun to play.”
The program will showcase both instruments and demands an incredible technical control from both players, according to Dolin.
Included in the program is Ravel’s Sonate pour Violon et Violoncelle. The piece was first performed in 1922 and critics were convinced that the performers were playing the wrong notes and dubbed it a “massacre.” Ravel later explained that “the spareness is here pushed to the extreme” and called it the “renunciation of harmonic charm.”
“I think the audience will really enjoy these three pieces,” said Dolin.
In addition, Kayaleh will perform on an exquisite violin crafted in 1742 by Venetian master Pietro Guarneri.
The concert takes place at 7:30 pm on Thursday, November 19, in James Hall at Powell River Academy of Music. For more information, readers can go to powellriveracademy.org.
