ENTERTAINMENT NEWS - The George Music Society hosted the cellist Michael Kevin Jones, and the pianist Dr Sjoerd Alkema on Wednesday evening 8 October.
The concert opened with two pieces for solo cello, the first of which was a première in South Africa. This piece titled The Dragon and the Phoenix by Grace Tin-Yen Christou was written for her daughter's wedding but it meandered around mournfully, seemingly going nowhere.
It did show off the beautiful tones of the instrument and was performed very expressively by Michael Kevin Jones. This was followed by a courante and sarabande by JS Bach that he dedicated to his wife Maria Barbara, who had died suddenly. It was a good example of sustained playing, double stopping and covered the entire range of the instrument. But again, not one of Bach's more cheerful offerings.
These two compositions proved that Michael Kevin Jones is no mean cellist who can coax a wonderful sound from the cello.
Dr Sjoerd Alkema then joined Jones and the battle commenced. The acoustics of the Moederkerk did nothing for the musicians. The piano sound bounces from wooden floor to wooden ceiling, round the cupola and off the walls and frankly, is just too loud.
These two musicians played the Vivaldi Sonata, No.5 in e minor that is a gentle work but the balance was wrong and a few happy clappers also intervened.
Max Bruch's Kol Nidrei is taken from sacred texts and is a prayer of atonement sung before Yom Kippur, the high point of the Jewish Holy Year. It is a beautiful work that was given loving treatment by the two musicians. For some unknown reason, while we were enjoying the gentle, peaceful ending, we were suddenly rushed into Daniel van Goens' Scherzo that was a fast and furious work, played fast and furiously.
After the interval Beethoven's lovely Sonata in F major was thoroughly beaten by the acoustics. This work was written with equal parts for both the instruments, and while Michael Kevin Jones played his best to be heard the piano drowned him out. This was a great pity and not the fault of the performers. They are more than competent musicians who clearly enjoy playing together.
We were treated to two light-hearted encores to send us home happy.
It would be good to have them back, but in a kinder venue.
‘We bring you the latest Garden Route, Hessequa, Karoo news’