Two rarely performed works by Beethoven and Schubert will come to life on the Gravenhurst Opera House stage on Thursday evening, March 27, when the Muskoka Concert Association presents the prestigious ensemble OCTAGON 2003.

Every two years impresario George Zukerman carves a new tour path for OCTAGON, juggling the timetables of eight star performers. His "remarkable recipe for unusual chamber music":

"Take seven international recording stars, six Juno award winners, one leader of Canada's newest string quartet, three principals of leading Canadian orchestras and three holders of the Order of Canada; Rehearse at high temperature for sufficient time to bring to a musical boil = a Canadian event of extraordinary and unequalled excellence. Serves thousands."

Indeed it does. Thanks to generous funding from the Canada Council for the Arts, the 2003 tour is the most ambitious yet, involving 15 concerts, a CBC national broadcast, a private concert for the Governor-General at Rideau Hall and a recording for the Analekta label. Read more about the Beethoven Septet and the Schubert Octet below, but, first, here are the players:

Andrew Dawes, OC, Violin I, is acclaimed around the world as one of Canada's most distinguished musicians. Patricia Shih, Violin II (Octet), is first violinist of the Borealis String Quartet, BC finalists in the CBC's Great Canadian Music Dream contest. Rivka Golani is one of the great violists and musicians of our time. Over 200 compositions have been created for her.

Amanda Forsyth, Principal 'cellist of the NAC orchestra and Juno award winner, plays a 1699 Carlo Testore 'cello. Joel Quarringon, Principal double-bass player of the NAC orchestra, never tires of the Schubert Octet and Beethoven Septet - rare gems of chamber music for his instrument.

James Campbell, OC, is among Canada's most honoured clarinetists. He calls this evening's programme “a dream come true" for lyrical clarinet scores.

Kenneth MacDonald, Principal horn of the Winnipeg Symphony Orchestra, plays a Triple horn, handbuilt in 1996 by Englebert Schmidt in Tiefenried, Germany.
George Zukerman, OC, OBC, is world-renowned as a leading exponent of the solo repertoire for the bassoon.

Muskoka Concert Association's 2002-2003 season will wind up the following morning, when OCTAGON will perform at the Gravenhurst High School. This mini concert is funded by the Music Performance Trust Funds of the Recording Industries.

One-time tickets for the March 27 concert at the Opera House are available at $25. Call Lisa McCoy at 687-8538.

Ask Lisa about subscriptions to the 2003-2004 season, a very affordable way to hear: the Pacific Baroque Orchestra on October 27, Gloria Saarinen piano on December 2, The A Cappella Choir February 15, 2004 and Trio Lyra April 25th.