Just got back from our chamber orchestra dress rehearsal, and damn, we’re good!

The music we’re playing this time around is so pretty and bright (except for the Adagio by Albinoni, but it’s dramatic, so it provides a good contrast to the rest!), and it’s just what people need in February, after yet another dump of snow. The church we’re playing in — St Paul’s Anglican on 44th Ave in Lachine — is an arched church done in warm panelled wood, and stone, with beautiful windows and lighting. And — get this — it has a carpet. It’s a good thing I wore a t-shirt and a cardigan today, because when I arrived I realised it was too warm for a sweater. Such a nice change from the cold, echoey church we usually play in during the winter! The sound is phenomenal, too — nice and rich. All in all, it’s the ideal setting for a winter night of chamber music.

I brought tea along with me this morning in my shiny thermal mug, and I picked up a granola bar on the way. “Can you eat and play cello at the same time?” my stand partner asked. “Sure,” I said perkily. “I can multi-task. Got my tea, got my breakfast, got my Haydn. What more could I want?” I adore Haydn, and today’s rendition of the London Symphony no. 104 made me smile the whole way through. In fact, most of the pieces we’re playing make me smile. I have to curtail my foot-tapping and bouncing to the music, I think; it’s just that I’m enjoying myself so much that I can’t help it. It’s nice to see other musicians reacting the same way as well. A performance is always enhanced indescribably when the performers have a good time. I’d love to play regularly on a Saturday morning. The people are so much more relaxed. Mind you, I think the wonderful place we played in had something to do with that as well. The school auditorium we rehearse in is grey and cold, and we’re all tired after a day of work. Today had a very different vibe. I really think the environment has a lot to do with it. Warm colors, warm air, cheerful decor; such a nice change from the auditorium, and the concrete of the Valois church.

I love chamber orchestra because we actually play Baroque and early classical music, two of my favourite periods. This time, we have two stellar oboeists (not one, but two!) who are playing the Albinoni Double Oboe Concerto. I adore this concerto — mind you, I love most Baroque concetos, but you so rarely hear oboes! However, to my disappointment, our conductor regretfully cut three-quarters of the orchestra out of it this morning. The church is so wonderful acoustically that the enriches sound, and as a result the orchestra — even when playing pianissimo — was drowing out the oboes. So we reluctantly turned to concertino style, and only the first two musicians of each section are playing accompaniment. As disappointed as I am, I have to admit it sounds phenomenal.

It’s going to be a fantastic evening! And it’s closer and much easier to get to than the other church in Valois. The 191 bus from Lionel-Groulx stops right on the corner of Broadway and 44th, and the church is a block and a half up on the west side. I used to take the 191 all the time, and the bus ride to this venue is less than half an hour. (Yes, that link takes you to the schedules. On Sunday night, the 191 leaves Lionel-Groulx at 7 pm exactly, and you’ll get to the church for about 7:20.) Or, you could always wheedle a lift out of someone with a vehicle. The more people you fit in a car, the more people could split the cost of a ticket for the driver as a thank-you.

For an evening of excellent music in a beautiful setting, the travel time and only ten dollars are a small price to pay. If you missed the last one, don’t miss this one! If you’ve never experienced the Lakeshore Chamber Orchestra in performance, this is the concert to catch as a brilliant introduction. Check the Performing section of the righthand sidebar for address and programme details.