Like many of the musical delights presented in the 70 year history of the North Okanagan Community Concert Association, the concert that was showcased on November 19th was a standout that created complete delight of audience members. In the tradition of the series, the young double bass virtuoso Nicholas Covaser warmed up the audience with a Shubert Sonata accompanied by Carol Colpitts on piano. The 14 year old played the compete piece from memory which was brilliant to behold, making even the more technical sections a pleasure to hear, bowing and playing pizzicato sections seamlessly with expression, grace, appropriate intensity and sensitivity. He was one with his instrument.

The main attraction Pentaèdre then took the stage with good humour and seamless professionalism. Described as a “unique musical ensemble” in the Canadian musical scene, the group opened their selections with a JS Bach piece entitled Toccata and Fugue in c minor BWV911. The first piece quickly demonstrated both the superb technical expertise and the amazing interpretive musicianship of the group. Ariane Brisson flute, Elise Poulin oboe, Martin Carpentier clarinet, Louis-Philip Marsolais horn and Mathieu Lussier bassoon. The musicians showed complete joy in the music that was selected both in their expressions and body movements which was pleasurable to be a part of. After a minor mixup in the music (a clarinet part was misplaced) and some good humour around lost music, the concert continued with excerpts from the Mozart Opera, the Magic Flute. Indeed the flute and all of the instruments took on a magic fairy tale-like quality that matched the musical selections and the exquisite careful listening each musician needed to echo the sensitivity of the others. The flute, oboe and clarinet demonstrated unsurpassed sensitivity that this reviewer has not experienced often.

The second half of the concert opened with the missing piece of music, a sensitive commissioned modern piece by Barbara Assiginaak entitled Mshkodeng (in the clearing) that showcased the virtuosity of the quintet’s expertise whether playing modern supersensitive music or more classical transcriptions of older music. In closing the main concert, the group played Quintet #3 by David Maslanka, a deconstructed chorale based on the JS Bach work with 3 incredibly challenging movements. The quintet rose above the occasion to evoke an immediate standing ovation from the audience. All in all, it was a wonderful concert with congratulations to the organizers, musicians and audience.

Review provided by Gerry Sholomenko.

Nocca’s next concert will feature the Marc Atkinson Trio with Cam Wilson (Joe Trio, Van Django) on Friday February 17, 2023. Tickets can be purchased at ticket seller.ca or phone (250) 549-7469.

Below is a youtube video link of Nicholas Covaser (double bass) and Carol Colpitts (piano) from the concert.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Tb1hlLIvNwE