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July 22, 2005
No second fiddles here
Israeli chamber music duo bring balance to city.
EVA COHEN
Violinist Alexander Pavlovsky and pianist Ella Barshay have known
each other for 15 years – but they've only been playing music
together for four. They were introduced during the entry exams to
a high school near the music academy in Jerusalem. Although they
studied in the same class for four years, each then went their own
way and the idea of performing together did not arise until 2001,
when Pavlovsky received a sudden cancellation by the pianist in
his acclaimed Jerusalem Quartet ensemble.
A chance meeting between Pavlovsky and Barshay on a staircase at
the academy during this time led to a new partnership. They first
played together at the Henry Crown Auditorium in the Jerusalem Theatre
in 2001 and received critical acclaim, leading to the official beginning
of Duo Montefiore in 2004 under the auspices of the Jerusalem Music
Centre.
The name of the duo was inspired by the location of the centre at
the old quarter of Mishkenot Sha'ananim, which was built with the
support of famous philanthropist Sir Moses Montefiore.
"There are only a few classical halls in Israel," said
Pavlovsky, "and we find ourselves with a very small number
of concerts per concert season. Another problem is that only several
places accept the same ensembles year after year."
Finding a venue in Vancouver, however, won't be a problem. The duo
has been invited to play at the Vancouver Chamber Music Festival
(VCMF) this month.
"I love the city," Pavlovsky told the Independent
in an e-mail interview. "Vancouver is one of the most beautiful
and interesting places in the world. The audience is fantastic and
everybody who works at the society is so kind and so friendly....
[I] hope that it will be the beginning of a long-term relationship
between Duo Montefiore and VRS [Vancouver Recital Society]."
Both musicians were born in Russia but emigrated with their families
to Israel.
Pavlovsky said he feels he entered the world of music in the most
natural way. Both of his parents were musicians so from a very young
age, Pavlovsky was sitting in his parents' studio, listening to
rehearsals. At the age of four, he began playing piano and, after
a year, continued lessons at a special music school. With fine-tuned
fingers, Pavlovsky began playing violin as well. At age 16, he made
the choice to focus on the violin.
Barshay also came from a musical family and began playing the piano
at age four. Despite her mother being a piano teacher, Barshay said
no one insisted that she play the piano – it was something
she chose herself.
When her family moved to Jerusalem in 1991, Barshay took a two-year
break from her music career. During this time, she got married,
had a child and worked as a producer and a music editor at the Jerusalem
Music Centre. Barshay said it was Pavlovsky who got her back on
track with playing the piano.
As the ensemble travels to Canada, Pav-lovsky and Barshay hope to
share their music with a larger audience and also shed some misconceptions.
"Unfortunately," said Pavlovsky, "many people are
'locked' in the concept of the 'violin recital' with the piano accompanying.
One of our most important purposes is to show the listeners the
huge variety of chamber works, written for these two instruments,
offered us by classical, romantic and contemporary music."
Another of the duo's goals is to stand the test of time.
"There are duos which exist for a while and then switch or
change partners," said Pavlovsky. "Although we are young,
we hope that will not happen with us."
The VCMF, now celebrating its 20th season, is known as one of North
America's finest chamber music festivals. At the concerts, when
not playing themselves, musicians mingle with the audience, creating
an open and casual atmosphere.
Duo Montefiore perform at the festival July 27, 28 and 30. Festival
subscriptions are still available for both the six-concert main
series and the build-your-own series. For more information and tickets,
visit the website www.vancrecital.com.
Eva Cohen is a freelance writer living in Vancouver.
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