Written by Event Co-ordinator, Heidi Gerschwitz
It was a lovely sunny Saturday afternoon when about 25 Australians gathered for an afternoon of Classical music in the unlikely concert hall of a floating barge anchored off the pier in Dumbo, Bargemusic’s Saturday afternoon community concert.
Upon entering the ordinary looking barge, our eyes were drawn to the Steinway piano on the stage framed by a fantastic view of the New York skyline through the window wall. For those arriving early, we were treated to an incredible rendering of music as the musicians Violinist Mark Peskanov and Pianist Vivian Schweitzer warmed up for the concert.
Their piano page turner was running late and Mark dubiously asked if there were any “certified page turners” attending. Aussie Suzanne Chaplin immediately spoke up, to Mark’s astonishment. So she joined the musicians on the stage.
Mark has traveled around the world playing violin in famed concerts halls, and has fond memories of Australia from his times playing at the Sydney Opera House. He was very chatty and entertained us with stories and observations of Australia.
Vivian began taking piano lessons in London at age six and has continued her musical studies with professors in Washington DC, London and Seville, Spain. She enjoys playing chamber music periodically at Bargemusic.
Three pieces were played during the one hour performance. Beethoven’s Sonatas for Violin and Piano #7 in C minor and # 5 in F Major, and in between these Sonatas Mark played Bach’s Adagio from his Violin Solo Sonata in G minor.
After the wonderful music, some of us queued up at the Brooklyn Ice Cream Factory for a delicious icecream. It was a lovely afternoon.
AWNY | Australian Women in New York 