MUSKOKA PHILHARMONIC’S MUSIC ENTERTAINING, ACCESSIBLE IN TWO WEEKEND CONCERTS THAT INCLUDED COLDPLAY

Mark Clairmont | MuskokaTODAY.com

HUNTSVILLE — There’s an audience for classical music in Muskoka.

Always has been.

But this weekend it was a home grown orchestra that bowed to the public — twice.

Saturday afternoon at Baysville’s Bethune United Church and yesterday afternoon at Trinity United Church in Huntsville.

Two sold out performances of “Whimsical Musings” for the Muskoka Philharmonic Orchestra — under the direction of Alana Nuedling.

Almost 200 people on Sunday and 60 who crammed in in Baysville (that one a light dinner and performance).

And both were eminently accessible.

The Muskoka Philharmonic performed twice on the weekend, here in Huntsville yesterday, and Saturday in Baysville, with a wonderfully eclectic program called “Whimsical Musings.”

From their rousing opening rendition of Rossini Barber of Seville, the 22 members of the wind and string ensemble hopped to it with seven delightful and thoroughly entertaining pieces.

Second up was Dvorak’s “Serenade for Winds,” a lovely liltingly whimsical composition that featured Gerry Gerhart on oboe, Tom Regina and Jeff Robertson on flutes, Marielle Deurloo on saxophone, Pamela Marshall Gray on clarinet, Bob St. Clair on bass clarinet, Jane Happiseva and Carol Gibson on French horns, Nancy Gibson on piano and Michele McCall on percussion.

“A Sky Full of Stars,” by Coldplay, was a nod to more modern musical times and was only played in Huntsville due to time restrictions. A loss for fans in Baysville of the British rock band.

The full ensemble finished off the first half with a splendid version of Haydn’s “Surprise Symphony 94 in G Major.”

An outstanding piece — particularly the second movement.

Second violinists Peter Reintzer, principal, and Jolene Theriault tune up to open the second half of the concert with E. Craig’s “Aus Holberg’s Zeit.

The program’s second half opened with the string section performing E. Grieg’s “Aus Holberg’s Zeit,” a flourishing piece featuring violinists Anna Nuedling, Kristen and Margot Jewell, Peter Reintzer, Jolene Theriault and Luba Cargill; violaists Anneke Murley and Sarah Triemstra; cellist Behn Strople and bassist Sheri Preuss.

Bizet’s “L’Arlesienne IV Carlillon” was another fine work by the orchestra.

The two-hour concert (with intermission) concluded up with some sensational selections from West Side Story,” including a gorgeous solo by trumpeter Debbie Silverthorne.

A wonderful way for the Muskoka Philharmonic to end another fine performance that will in parts be reprised this June in Gravenhurst, followed again in Bracebridge, Baysville and Huntsville later this year.

The 10-member string section included first violin principal Anna Nuedling, left, and mother and daughter Kirsten and Margot Jewell.
Audience members applaud conductor Alana Nuedling and the Muskoka Philharmonic yesterday at the conclusion of their concert, following their final stirring piece “Selections from West Side Story.”
Kirsten Jewell and Peter Reintzer chat with admiring framily and friends after the wonderful concert yesterday in Huntsville.

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