Once again, it’s the time of year when music lovers start anticipating the next Northern Lights Music Festival, now to be called Northern Lights Festival de Febrero. Every year, festival organizers say that it keeps getting better and better, and although it is hard to believe, this year is, in fact, better than ever. The line-up of truly stellar performers is astonishing, and especially so because this is Ajijic, not New York or Toronto, and because the ticket prices are Lakeside’s most attractive bargain.
Of the 15 concerts held during the two-week period, February 20 to March 5, there are six included in the “Festival Series,” all of which will be at the Auditorio in La Ribera – four in the evening, and two matinees.
The series opens February 22 with the festival’s perennial favourite jazz group, featuring Juno Award winner (a Canadian Grammy) sax player Richard Underhill and his smooth-as-silk drummer Daniel Barnes. There will be surprises as well, including performances that include the string players from the Festival Orchestra with some original compositions.
Concertgoers will be excited to learn that Canada’s number one trio (piano, violin, cello), the Gryphon Trio, will be back to charm you with “Gryphon Realms” on February 24. They’ll capture your imagination with music that has been influenced strongly by folk and gypsy themes. An example is offered by Ravel, the famous composer of “Bolero,” whose violin and piano piece Tzigane is a perfect example. Ravel wrote to a friend: “I have never worked so hard, with such insane heroic rage!”
And then on February 26, join a classical/rock performance by Tracy Silverman on his 21st-century electric violin. Some quotes will suffice to explain why people will not wish to miss this event: “The greatest living exponent of the electric violin.” (BBC); “Blazing virtuosity. You’ll be amazed anyone can play the violin like that!” (Chicago Tribune); “Inspiring. Silverman is in a class of his own.” (LA Times).
On February 27, audiences will be thrilled to get their first chance to hear the full chamber orchestra, with Mark Skazinetsky, who has conducted here for many seasons and has a loyal following. The soloist, David Fung on piano (“stylish and articulate” – NY Times), will be performing the remarkable Piano Concerto #1 by Shostakovich. The concerto is all about clashing musical styles, and blurring the boundaries between joke and serious matter. The second piece is the mesmerizingly beautiful and haunting Serenade for Strings by Tchaikovsky.
As the festival draws closer to its end, there will be a spectacular concert with the full orchestra, and violin soloist. They will be performing the well-known and beautiful “Four Seasons” by Antonio Vivaldi, with themes that you will be humming after the concertis over. This concert, however, has a big surprise in the second half. You will be amazed by Piazzolla’s “Cuatro Estaciones Portenas” – his own “version” of Vivaldi’s Four Seasons! If you are not familiar with Piazzolla, his sound combines the thrills of jazz and the Argentinian tango of his native land. His music is filled with exciting rhythms that seem to make the listener dance to their hypnotic beat.
And finally the festival’s last of the series of six: “Broken Hearts and Madmen” on March 4. The Gryphon Trio returns and this time brings with them famous Canadian singer Patricia O’Callaghan, who will entertain you with melodies from Leonard Cohen, Nick Drake and others, as well as songs from Mexico, Argentina and Brazil. Broken Hearts and Madmen is global in spirit and celebrates the romantic soul inside us all.
This year there is also the special Salon Series of three afternoon recitals. These concerts are only one hour in length and include wine and cheese. They are in local homes and have very limited seating. It is a chance to get up close and personal with the artists in a most unusual environment. This year the Salon Series includes The Manhattan Chamber Players, Benjamin Bowman and Joel Noyes from New York City and Patricia O’Callaghan from Canada.
The two special events this year include Beethoven’s “Spring” Sonata and Dinner and Jazz at the Nueva Posada. Check more details out on festivaldefebrero.com.
To become a “Patron” (a season subscriber), contact Judy Parker 376-766-5379 or email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..">This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.. General tickets will be sold beginning Monday, February 2, from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m., Monday to Friday, at La Nueva Posada, Donato Guerra 9 in Ajijic. For reservations and information on ticket sales, email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or contact Maureen Welch at 108-1407 between 2 and 4 p.m.