March 2002 - Nr. 3
It’s a family affair
The
pre-announcement stated that the Forget-Me-Nots want to show their fourth
side, the classical one. What are the 3 other sides, you might well ask. We
do know that they sing together with the rest of the Szauter family, as we
have come to know this entity of magnitude, Austrian music, mainly
folksongs, as well as a selection of classical songs.
The Forget-Me-Nots also play Stubenmusi, the kind of Austrian entertainment pieces that were so immensely popular when everyone was into music and no one watched TV. That was of course because it did not exist then. Today we are being entertained by it, if someone still knows how to play it. It was the Pop music of the past, like a Strauss waltz, but is not much known outside of the Austrian culture. And then they have this interest in North American Bluegrass and Country music.
Strange? Not at all! Both styles of music are native to an area, one in Europe and one here. By performing and enjoying both styles they honour their heritage, the old and the new. And of course the whole family is involved with the traditions of the Danube Swabians and performs for and with them the dances and music of their heritage, which is very interwoven with the German language heritage. So that actually makes already four different sides, the classical aspect, the fourth one promised, would actually be the fifth side of them. And we do wonder what is to come next.
That the young people, which we saw grow up as the Forget-Me-Not Children, decided to expand their skills once again is not only wonderful, but utterly amazing. They are teenagers and one should think that they have other things to do than get up at 5 o’clock in the morning in order to learn something new. But that they do. They actually use most of their free time to study music in one form or another. Obviously the early training was all in-house. Grandma Szauter had a lot to do with that. Ingrid Szauter, who really does not look like a grandma at all, somehow managed to hold her clan together, and she did it so well, they recently decided to move in together. Can you imagine a household that requires 13 cars to get around with? What was distributed between 4 houses is now under one tremendously big roof in King Township.
So
we all were full of anticipation to hear what the newest, the fourth,
actually the fifth, side was all about. And there they were, in long gowns
and dark suits, in front of the brilliantly posh satin curtain of the grand
hall in the Danube Swabian Club, splashes of red flower bouquets adding a
festive touch. There must have been a bit of excitement behind the curtain.
Afterall, it is not every day that you come out and say ‘I only started to
learn this a couple of month a go. Tell me what you think.’
As an opening number they chose to sing an Alfred Kunz composition with words by William Shakespeare. The lovely clean and clear young voices, perhaps a touch too pianissimo, nevertheless carried through the big room; "Shall I compare thee…"
We certainly did some comparing, perhaps unfairly, with so many other youth that rather hang out in a mall than study music. Everyone was ready to receive more of the magic touch this family seems to have with their children, who are home taught. They do not go to regular schools.
The
opening song was followed immediately by Rachel Seilern playing a violin
concerto in E major by Johann Sebastian Bach. And wonder over wonders, she
played it by heart, and it was not the only piece that evening played
without a score on the stand. The following piece by Tchaikovsky, "Melody",
was played the same way. Rachel displayed a great aptitude for both
composers with her strong bow and attention to detail.
Next in line was her brother Timothy Seilern with a piano solo by Asto Piazolla. His interpretation was very sensitive and soulful.
Natasha
Szauter plays the viola for only 16 month, so a string quartet could be
created among the children, but delivered two very precisely and strongly
played pieces by Bayly and Norton.
Ryan
Adams surprised with a skilfully played clarinet solo by George F. Handel;
and the first part of the concert concluded with a violin duo by Bach with
Rachel Seilern and Annie Scully. It was interesting to watch the two young
ladies play together. They have quite different styles.
Annie’s
bow is amazingly fluid and elegant, while Rachel’s forte lies in her
strength and precision, as well as her obvious awareness of the other
player. It will be wonderful to see them mature.
Annie
Scully’s abilities became even more noticeable in Viotti’s concerto in D
major that started the second half of the program. This piece is quite
demanding and technically difficult with a fast score and double cords. One
would expect someone with years of experience to tackle this piece, but
Annie displayed an extraordinary amount of courage and panache in taking on
this concerto, and without the sheet music on the stand! She also carried
off "Vocalise" by Rachmaninoff with the required emotional tenderness.
A
pleasant change from the string instruments was a sonata in A minor by
Handel, played by Megan Adams. Her delivery was skilled and very playful,
simply a delight to listen to.
After
the string quartet (Rachel Seilern, Annie Scully, Natasha and Rebecca
Szauter) had completed a 3 movement Divertimento by Mozart the hundreds of
people in the hall were on their feet applauding this fine effort. It was
not delivered flawlessly, but showed the tremendous talent these young
people have.
How could they possibly top this? The concert was not finished yet. And is not the best usually to come last? In this case there was no best, it was all evenly astounding and worthy of our admiration, for the fine efforts of these young people are certainly not ordinary.
The last 3 performance pieces proved this. Rachel and Timothy Seilern offered the audience "Playera" by Pablo de Sarasate, a temperamental Spanish sounding piece for piano and violin. Played from memory the strongly rhythmic sounds showed a natural affinity for this kind of music by both players.
Fine
teamwork came to the forefront with Camille Saint-Saens’ "The Swan", a piece
for piano and violin, played by
Samuel
and Annie Scully. The big surprise was the on point performance of the
‘dying swan’ by a cousin to the young people, Vanessa Wunderlich.
Sadly,
all good things must come to and end. This evening closed with the
Forget-Me-Nots and their families singing the Elisabeth Serenade. Presenting
flowers to the young ballerina and the accompanist on the piano, Natalia
Zahorbynsky, the deafening applause did not seem to end. Reluctantly the
people headed home and probably marvelled all the way there about this
extraordinary family.
Comments to: sfr@echoworld.com
