Chamber Music Festival ends on a high note
By Camie Sands; Photos by Tim Poly, unless noted

Opening Night: Playfulness and whimsy surprised everyone, as Barbara Porter, President of the Chamber Music Festival Board of Directors, transformed herself into the “siren of music,” straight from the illustration on this year’s poster by award-winning artist Rafael López.

López himself was delighted to see what his creation had inspired. The opening party was donated in part by the new Hotel Meson at Mesones 80.

The Amernet String Quartet opened the festival with a special guest: composer Emmanuel Arias y Luna, the father of Amernet’s cellist, Javier Arias. Amernet was joined by Carlos Chávez String Quartet in presenting String Octet, Op 51. It was the first of many standing ovation concerts.

Borromeo String Quartet’s presentation of contemporary composer Lera Auerbach’s String Quartet No. 3, Cetera Desunt was a journey of emotional complexity from extreme anger and pain to inconsolable sorrow and loneliness.

Borromeo’s poignant performance conveyed Auerbach’s emotions with an expertise and aplomb that left the audience astounded.

Trio Quetzal flew to local fame: Last year’s winning student group chose to name themselves after a creature from Mesoamerican mythologies; this year they became a soaring success, plus an excellent example for Emerging Professional student groups. Exquisite renditions of pieces by Beethoven and Dvořák actually helped to highlight Lelio Di Tullio’s Piano Trio.

A musical Haven for kids: Giraffes can’t dance, but hearts and minds can. That’s why Haven String Quartet’s concert for kids was such a success. Soprano Guadalupe Jiménez, who sang with the Carlos Chávez String Quartet, narrated this charming children’s book set to music by Haven String Quartet’s Netta Hadari.

We hailed Yale: The 110 plus voices of the Yale Alumni Choir sang in San Francisco Church to a standing-room-only crowd. The musicians reached the same verdict about San Miguel that the audience found in their performance—“Perfect.”

Jupiter String Quartet created musical universes: From the contemporary Sydney Hodkinson piece played at the Monasterio de Nuestra Señora de Soledad to the final interpretation of R. Schumann’s Piano Quintet in E-flat major, Op 44 played with Natasha Tarasova—the Jupiter String Quartet represented the passion and precision that brings past and present together in stellar moments of musical insights.

Bravo to the student program, now the Emerging Professional Musicians’ Program. The festival's raison d'etre is the support and training of our future musical masters.

First prize winners, Grupo Cuyos, more than demonstrated their winning qualities and also presented a work by a Mexican composer titled Metro Chabacano. Grupo Kayros—winning second prize—surprised the audience with the unique sound of four cellists playing together, while Cuarteto Vivace joined the winner’s concert in third place.

String theory! “Oh my! Look at this!” These were the murmurs heard as people entered the lobby of Teatro Ángela Peralta and saw the violins turned into collage, painted on, sculpted, wrapped and encrusted with mysterious collections, which caused the bidding to begin with anticipation of owning at least one of these unique creations.

A Festival Fiesta Finale at Casa Linda rounded out the Festival with Voces de Guanajuato, and a “Baroque” fashion show by Laura Reyes of the Barbara Porter Boutique.

It was a great celebration of the 31st year. Thank you season ticket holders, members of the new San Miguel Chamber Music Society, the volunteers who made the festival come to life this year and new sponsor Tequila Ley. To become a member of the Chamber Music festival, contact: info@festivalsanmiguel.com.