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CLASSICAL MUSIC Michal Palzewicz and Martin Majkut perform concertos by Vivaldi, Bach, Haydn, Debussy and more Comment By Angela Decker for Revels DailyTidings.com By Angela Decker for Revels Posted Jan. 21, 2016 at 12:01 AM By Angela Decker for Revels Posted Jan. 21, 2016 at 12:01 AM » Social News In their classical music concert, “Dark to Light: An Evocative Journey of Musical Contrasts,” cellist Michal Palzewicz and pianist Martin Majkut will take audiences on a wild, moody trek through time and celebrate the transition from winter to spring. “The pieces we play offer a contrast in mood and energy,” Palzewicz says. “We want that contrast from darkness to light and from cold to warm; it’s an uplifting forward movement.” Musicians, Majkut says, are often sensitive to seasonal transitions. “I tend to program very bright music in January to sort of dispel the darkness,” he says. “Michal always sees a bigger picture and tells a story with the music. There is the arc of a story in the music as we move from pieces in the darker minor keys to those in the brighter major keys.” The program will include pieces by composers Antonio Vivaldi, Luigi Boccherini, Johan Christian Bach, Joseph Haydn, Claude Debussy and more. “We have music spanning five centuries, which is very cool for a concert program," Palzewicz says. "We have 16th-century pieces, and we move all the way to the 20th century.” Palzewicz and Majkut will perform at 7:30 p.m. Friday, Jan. 22, at the Methodist Church of Ashland, 175 N. Main St. Tickets are $20 in advance and can be purchased at Music Coop, 268 E. Main St., in downtown Ashland, or online at www.brownpapertickets.com/event/2471921 . Tickets will be $25 at the door, free for ages 11 and younger. The duo is particularly excited about a new element it has incorporated into the concert, with Renaissance-era music for the viola de gamba. “The viola de gamba is a beautiful and interesting instrument, with a sound similar to the double bass,” Palzewicz says. Majkut adds that the instrument can be a challenge to play. “The viola de gamba has seven strings instead of four like a cello, so Michal has to put his fingers in different places, and the bowing is completely different,” he says. “It’s beautiful to hear.” The cornerstones of the program are two concertos: Bach’s Concerto in C Minor and Haydn’s Concerto in C Major. “The Bach concerto, with its minor notes, is the darker piece, and the Haydn concerto is lighter and brighter,” Majkut says. While the two halves of the concert reflect a movement between seasons, music in both halves, say the musicians, is anything but linear. “There is a lot of topography in between, and there are contrasts in the lighter half as well,” Palzewicz says. “Some pieces will take the audience by surprise, with hills and valleys throughout the program,” Majkut adds. “Both halves of the program are moody and energetic.” Palzewicz emphasizes that the arc of a concert is just as important as the music. “We selected these composers because we wanted to find work that evoked what we need to express, as well as bring out the emotions of the audience,” Palzewicz says. Majkut jokes that there is one more reason for their choices. “Michal was selfish because all the pieces have great lines for cello,” he says. “I have my share of fun times playing, but the music is so beautifully written for cello and showcases what you can do with the instrument.” Majkut and Palzewicz have collaborated as a duet for five years. “Michal continues to inspire me, and we have an amazing time working together,” Majkut says. Palzewicz adds, “We have a really good creative relationship. I feel like we have a similar ideal of sound, and that is a joy.” Palzewicz is currently principal cellist for the Rogue Valley Symphony Orchestra. He also has performed in many productions at the Oregon Shakespeare Festival. Majkut is the music director and maestro for RVSO, and has worked as a guest conductor at OSF. The two say they have a hard time naming which pieces slated for the concert are their favorites. “We love all of them. We chose only pieces that were close to our hearts,” Majkut says. Palzewicz adds, “We hope the audience feels the joy we experience in the music and leaves with their spirits lifted.” Angela Decker is a freelance writer in Ashland and can be reached at [email protected]. By Angela Decker for Revels DailyTidings.com By Angela Decker for Revels Posted Jan. 21, 2016 at 12:01 AM » Comment or view comments Reader Reaction » STAY INFORMED Email NewsLetter Sign Up Today Sign up for our newsletter and have the top headlines from your community delivered right to your inbox. Southern Oregon Directory Featured Businesses Loading... 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