Violinist (and festival artistic director) James Ehnes, violist Aloysia Friedmann, cellist Bion Tsang, and pianist Jon Kimura Parker are universally lauded musicians, with countless glowing reviews and prestigious awards to their credit. But from the first note of Dvořák’s opening Allegro con fuoco, all played as if they had no ego of their own. The tone and feel were echt old world, aged in wood, with seasoned warmth predominating. Even in the rollicking finale, filled as it was with exuberant folkish thrills, the players created such a sense of unanimity that it extended the half circle that began on stage to include the entire audience.

This offered another chance to hear Ehnes in action – he actively takes part in a number of the festival's concerts – joined by Aloysia Friedmann on viola, Bion Tsang on cello, and Jon Kimura Parker on piano. With the musicians closely listening and responding to their colleagues' micro-gestures of inflection and accent, each contributing a distinctive personality, the sense of pacing within and across movements was masterful.

A repertoire staple, this quartet is jam-packed with expressive possibilities. These were seized upon with great gusto (and remarkable subtlety) by violinist/festival director Ehnes, violist Friedmann, cellist Bion Tsang, and pianist Parker. This was a performance that had everything: beautifully expressive phrasing, close partnership, and lots of lovely details (little changes in phrasing, attack, and character of each melodic line).

The Montrose Trio (Martin Beaver, violin; Clive Greensmith, cello; and Jon Kimura Parker, piano) was joined by violist Aloysia Friedmann and gave a most moving presentation of Fauré’s Piano Quartet No. 1 in C minor. Excellent balance and style and a sensitive blend combined with a lyrical feeling for the French style, which culminated in an outstanding performance.

Founder/Artistic Director Orcas Island Chamber Music Festival – A little over 20 years ago, violinist Aloysia Friedmann planned a weekend-long chamber music festival that, over time, has helped transform a small isolated island in the Pacific Northwest into an arts-loving community...

Aloysia: Mỗi khi tôi cảm thấy mất cảm hứng, tôi vẫn sẽ đứng trên sân khấu để trình diễn. Thực tế, bản thân là một người nghệ sỹ; bạn phải học cách nuôi dưỡng tâm hồn luôn đong đầy đam mê về âm nhạc lẫn sáng tác. Mỗi khi đứng trên sân khấu, nhìn thấy khán giả tập trung lắng ngheT. ôi cảm thấy được tiếp thêm sức mạnh và cảm hứng âm nhạc sẽ tiếp tục được khơi mào.

...violist Friedmann joined the string group and introduced the Dvořák String Quintet..the ensemble dug into this work with a hearty enthusiasm...

Seven members of the Mainly Mozart Festival orchestra gave a vivid, yet immaculately focused performance of Beethoven’s Septet Friday...