The SweetWater Music Festival launches its 18th season with a special spring musical event, Up Close & Personal with Edwin Huizinga and Philip Chiu. This digital concert premieres on Friday, May 28 at 7:30 p.m. For violinist Huizinga and pianist Chiu, it brings the two back together again in performance. It’s something they first did many years ago as young teenagers.

“Philip and I performed together for the first time over 20 years ago. The whole world was ahead of us. We were full of passion and love for chamber music,” recalls Huizinga, who is also SweetWater’s Artistic Director.

He added it was musician Peter Longworth (a featured performer during SweetWater’s early days) who paired them together. The two were taking classes with Longworth at the Young Artists Performance Academy, part of the Glenn Gould School. Chiu also fondly remembers that first time performing together.

“We all remember our first… Edwin was my first... that is to say, my first chamber music partner,” says Chiu who noted the guidance of Longworth during those initial performances with Huizinga. “Those lessons and experiences still fuel my love for ensemble playing today. After 14 years of following different musical paths, it's a real joy to meet again and revisit old times while creating new musical memories.”

This upcoming digital concert will feature the two performing Johannes Brahms' Sonata for Violin and Piano Opus 78 Number One in G major along with a contemporary work by William Bolcom, Graceful Ghost.

“It's fitting that this little reunion between Edwin and myself centers on this beautiful sonata by Brahms and a charming work from Bolcom,” notes Chiu. “Both works are steeped in reminiscence, memory, nostalgia, and in particular, the Brahms, loss and the search for acceptance. I think they wonderfully showcase Edwin's deep feeling and reverence for music, as well as his chameleon-like ability to shift styles in a heartbeat.”

The two musicians will welcome all to the concert and CBC Radio's Tom Allen will provide a special introduction.

Edwin is thrilled to be bringing this concert to virtual audiences this spring.

“Against all odds has a totally new meaning after this year with the global pandemic we have all been faced with in so many different ways. Philip and I managed to get together with the help of an extraordinary video and audio team, and film this concert so that we can continue to share music with our community and beyond.”

Tickets for this digital concert are now on sale for $15 (excluding HST and processing fees). The ticket offers access to watch the concert beginning on May 28 at 7:30 p.m. until June 7.

A special virtual after concert green room chat Huizinga and Chiu will take place following the concert hosted by Tom Allen. They will talk about the concert, the music, and their longtime connection as friends and musicians. Everyone who comes into the chat can ask them questions or talk about the concert and the pieces performed. Anyone interested in being a part of the chat must register in advance.

To find out more, purchase concert tickets, or to register for the green room chat, go to sweetwatermusicfestival.ca. Watch preview concert clip.

source: media release, SweetWater Music Festival