Concert electrifies audience
Wednesday, March 7, 2007

The Huntsville Association for the Performing Arts (HAPA) has presented its third winter chamber music concert featuring Guy Few on trumpet and piano and Stephanie Mara as piano accompanist. The performance began with a stellar rendition of Sounds From the Hudson by Herbert L. Clarke, who from 1918 to 1923 led the Anglo-Canadian Leather Company Concert Band in Huntsville.

After that breathtaking trumpet performance, Few and Mara played Le Boeuf sur le Toit by French composer Darius Milhaud, treating the audience to an amazing four hands piano performance exhibiting dazzling technique by both musicians.

Guy Few's phenomenal performance of Caprice (1972) by Joseph Turrin made it clear to the listeners why he has been called one of the most brilliant Canadian brass players of his generation.

Few's charismatic connection to the audience, specifically while he was discussing the pieces (before, during and after playing them) added a welcome sense of intimacy and realism to the concert.

After magnificently showcasing works by Jean Hubeau, Paul Schoenfield and Eric Ewazen, it was obvious that the audience would demand an encore. To everyone's surprise, Guy Few, magnificent baritone, accompanied admirably by Stephanie Mara on the piano, sang a rousing showpiece tune that left the crowd mesmerized once again.

HAPA's final concert of the season will be on Saturday, April 14, 8 p.m. at Trinity United Church featuring the duet Acclarion, with accordionsist David Carovillano and clarinettist Rebecca Sajoy, who will be performing classical, jazz, pop and film music. Single tickets are available at Jane Marshall Flowers, adults $25, students $10. For information, please call Martina at 787-1918.