By John Atkinson, Standard-Times correspondent

July 14, 2001

 One might think the intimacy associated with chamber music would be totally lost in a setting like the Fireman Center for the Performing Arts at Tabor Academy in Marion, but nothing could be further from the truth, as evidenced at Thursday night's program that was part of this year's Buzzards Bay Musicfest. 

 Falling back on the old cliché, you could have heard a pin drop (even on the carpeted floor) during the opening segment of Beethoven's Serenade in D, Opus 25, played ever so delicately by three women: Wendy Rolfe, flutist; Jessica Wakefield, violinist; and Marlene Segelstein, violist. Thanks in large part to the acoustics, all of us in the audience were mesmerized by their artistry as they wafted so seemingly effortlessly between the six movements. 

 (It was good to hear Wendy Rolfe again, who has made many friends in the area from playing here often under various auspices.) 

 To read the biographical sketches in the program on all of the musicians, including these three, one might surmise from all they have accomplished they must be at least 100 years old. But to be as young as they are (30s to early 50s) and to have done so much with their musical talents -- playing all over the world as well as the United States -- is impressive to say the least. 

 The second segment of this tremendous concert, the Turina Quartet in A Minor, Opus 67, gave us ensemble playing at its best. It couldn't help be so when you group together pianist James Rivers, violinist Charles Stegeman, violist Lynne Richburg and cellist Grace Bahng. All were in perfect sync as they picked up on one another's playing beautifully. Each movement of the Turina gave each musician an opportunity to show why he or she was chosen for this piece. Talk about being focused! I don't think they were aware there was an audience out there until the applause burst forth. 

 But for a closer, the Brahms Trio in B Major, Opus 8, showed precisely why these Musicfest concerts, all free of charge, incidentally, are so eagerly awaited every year. 

 In this final offering of the evening, Mr. Rivers once again held sway over the piano, blending magnificently with violinist Janna Lower and cellist Steven Thomas, who literally bounced in his seat as he vigorously put his beautiful instrument through its paces. It could be said the Brahms was the more robust offering on the program and was played with gusto by the three virtuosos. 

 There is another chamber concert tonight that will include selections from "West Side Story" as well as compositions by Beethoven, Mozart and Weber. 

 The full orchestra that opened this year's Musicfest to a standing-room-only audience will perform again at 2 p.m. tomorrow. The scheduled program features works of Beethoven, Glazunov and Mendelssohn. 

 So, "Come on down," as the saying goes. As one of the sponsors put it, "It's wonderful classical music we don't often get chance to enjoy, thanks to all of the people involved, including the very generous people who house these musicians during their stay here." The series is also supported by volunteers of the Marion Art Center, who serve as hosts. 

 Some readers might be thinking no concert could be as great as the one I've described, but those who know me know I'd let them know if it were any different.