'Autumn Reflections' a breath of fresh air

MOSSEL BAY NEWS - David Bester is slight of built, but packs a punch as a violinist extraordinaire. This he proved on Friday, 21 May at the first classical concert hosted by the Mossel Bay Arts Society, since Covid-19 started taking centre stage.

Bester, senior lecturer in music at Nelson Mandela University showed his prowess on the violin in Autumn Reflections, alongside Jan-Hendrik Harley (viola) and Mariechen Meyer (double bass), both outstanding musicians in their own right.

The threesome, as Bester from the onset explained, hail from Gqeberha, formely known as Port Elizabeth, which in itself inspired "something new". This, he continued, was pairing three rather unusual instruments. Bester noted that autumn signals the anticipation of new things to happen, like their trio coming together in this particular concert.

And what a coming together it was.

Harley and Meyer opened the floor with a mesmerizing duet performing Reinhold Gliere's Suite for Viola and Double Bass.

Bester joined them for selections from the mysterious Goldberg Variations BWV 988 by Bach, rumoured to have been composed to soothe sleeplessness. Whether the legend is true or not, the musicians certainly succeeded in captivating the audience.

Mozart's light, yet sweeping Duo for Violin and Viola in G major, KV 423 also took a bow. Bester and Harley teamed up and took their audience on gossamer wings of musical delight typical of Mozart's signature composition style.

The programme was ended with a John Playford collection including the melancholy Though I am young, Hole in the Wall and a spirited Grimstock as the cherry on top earning the trio a standing ovation and the audience, a much appreciated encore.

David Bester