What the papers are saying - "Air"

Peace Arch News story - Thursday August 28th 2025 Alex Browne

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White Rock's Crimson Crescendo soars skyward for first concert in new series!

Post-modern classical trio, Crimson Crescendo, is back in White Rock – and now braving the elements. Or rather The Elements, is the title for the group's upcoming concert series, debuting with "Air" Sept. 7, at 2 p.m. and 7 p.m., at Peninsula Productions' intimate 'black-box' space at Centennial Park.

Following on the success of last season's Gossamer Glow concerts at the Peninsula space, Crimson Crescendo say their new set of concerts is a celebration of a sense of place and the things that make their home base of White Rock and South Surrey special.

Contemplating the area's sea breezes and huge expanses of sky, the ever-changing ocean, a landscape of green hillsides, beaches and mountain views, and often fiery sunsets, resulted in what they describe as one of their "lightbulb moments" – why not create a concert series of four distinct episodes based on the Elements: Air, Water, Earth and Fire?

Each of the four provides a loose thematic hook on which to hang any number of musical pieces – the only limitations would be imagination (not a problem for pianist Bruce Petherick, violinist Monika Niedzielko or bassist/guitarist Peter Koyander) and their willingness to challenge their own musical comfort levels (also not a problem for the trio, who seem to thrive on challenges).

For them, the process of putting together a programme is not about filling out running time, but rather whittling down a multiplicity of creative ideas and inspirations into a manageable collection of debut pieces specially handcrafted for the instrumentation and the talents of the three performers. The results will be seen and heard through the series, which will follow Air with Fire (in November), Water (March of 2026) and Earth (June 2026).

For the first concert, Air, the trio – which blends classical, historical, popular and jazz influences into a singular, almost-indefinable musical presence – found many prompts for their creativity.

Without giving away a playlist that – as always, with Crimson Crescendo  – will offer music lovers many delightful surprises, it's fair to say the upcoming programme will include a spirited rendition of Rimsky-Korsakov's Flight of the Bumblebee; a showcase for Niedzielko's soaring violin in Ralph Vaughn-Williams' lyrical Lark Ascending and a journey back some 500 years to the earliest known musical piece relating to the air – Westron Wynde (or Western Wind). And, following their tradition, the concert will feature one brand new piece – in this case, Petherick's own evocative modern composition Clouds.

"But every one of our pieces is really a world premiere, as we work hard to make them our own," said Koyander, "and the interesting thing about doing a series based on the Elements, is that it can really be anything – it's very free and liberating."

"What I enjoy about performing in the Crimson Crescendo is the continuous challenge," Niedzielko said, "I am being challenged to play styles I had no experience or wasn’t comfortable playing in the past – but I love the challenge and am open to most of the new things," she added.

"All of us have become good friends so it’s always fun to rehearse and push through uncomfortable or difficult arrangements – or to put my foot down and say quite firmly that I won’t be playing this," she laughed. "But that doesn’t happen often. The guys are very kind and understanding and happy to help – and we do respect each other very much."

"The process of curating our concerts is very interesting," Petherick commented, agreeing with Koyander that pieces that have been specially arranged by the members, and rehearsed for a while, can still wind up on the reject pile in their quest for the best.

"We have rather strong minds, all three of us, and each one of us say, even after working on a piece, 'It's not for me,'" he observed. "And sometimes it's also a matter of needing to get used to something."

That also applies to the local audience, which, happily, came to understand and appreciate their approach during last season.

"We found that with our Beatles music concert – at the beginning some people were confused," said Petherick, "I think they were expecting us to sing and replicate the Beatles sound rather than creating our own interpretation. But by the middle of the concert they were getting it – and enjoying what they heard."

But one of the great strengths of Crimson Crescendo is that each of the players (also members of the White Rock City Orchestra) is well-versed in different areas of the classical-popular spectrum, and have mutual respect for each others' musicianship.

"Monika has this European classical background, but she also studied musical theatre," said Koyander.

"I've played rock and done some jazz things, but a little less than Bruce," he added.

"We're like red, green and blue – we're three distinct personalities, but when you put them all together it all makes sense." 

As tickets for the Gossamer Glow series sold out quickly, booking early is highly recommended.

Tickets for the complete series ($146.41) or individual concerts ($42.48 each) are available through showpass.com, or visit www.peninsulaproductions.org.

Alex Browne

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