“Festive Mendelssohn – Felix and Fanny”

It will be a bittersweet moment when the Amity Trio takes the stage for the final Colours of Music Festival at noon on Wednesday, October 1. For their third festival appearance, the trio will present “Festive Mendelssohn – Felix and Fanny”, featuring the music of siblings Fanny Mendelssohn Hensel and Felix Mendelssohn Bartholdy. The concert will take place at the Festival’s “Venue C”, Hi-Way Pentecostal Church at 50 Anne Street North, Barrie. The concert is free for those with a Festival Passport (see www.coloursofmusic.ca for full ticket information) and students, or a special festival price of $5 at the door for all others. Fanny Mendelssohn’s Piano Trio in d minor, Op.11 was completed in 1846, yet was not published until several years after her death, as her family had all but forbidden her from publishing works while she was alive. Only Felix supported her dreams of a musical career, considered her to be a much more accomplished pianist than himself, and published a few of her compositions under his own name. Rarely performed, this trio is highly emotional with many fresh ideas for its time.

Felix Mendelssohn’s far better-known Piano Trio No.1 in d minor, Op.49 was completed earlier than his sister’s, in 1839, and published the following year. It is one of his most popular and well-regarded chamber works, with a highly romantic, Schumannesque style giving the piano a prominent and virtuosic role – perhaps influencing his sister’s later composition as well.

Amity Trio – “Simcoe’s premiere chamber ensemble” (www.amitytrio.ca)

“delightfully musical and passionate performances” [Creemore Echo]

Intent on bringing quality chamber music to the Simcoe region and beyond, the Amity Trio is known for its sure ensemble playing and warm, open interpretations. The group’s members are Michael Adamson (violin), Alyssa Wright (cello) and Marilyn Reesor (piano). Each is an accomplished instrumentalist and sought-after soloist in their own right, but their chemistry within the trio – and affinity for the music created – generate performances of delightful musicality, passion and grace.

From the early classical works of Haydn and Mozart through such romantic and 20th Century composers as Schubert and Dvorák to contemporary works by Arensky and Piazzolla, the Amity Trio selects some of the favourite music written for the piano trio, and enjoys seeking out some of the lesser-known gems. Whether having fun with a salon piece or tackling the angst of Shostakovich, the trio’s performances are always in service of the music.

Since its inception in 2001, the Amity Trio has concertized extensively throughout the Simcoe region, Greater Toronto Area and south and central Ontario. Highlights include performances at Stouffville's Lebovic Centre for the Arts, Barrie's Colours of Music Festival, the Kitchener-Waterloo Chamber Music Society and the New Tecumseth Festival, plus repeat performances for Toronto's Musical Moment Concerts, Creemore's St. Luke's Gift of Music, Barrie's Midday Music with Shigeru and Alliston's Gibson Centre for the Arts.