Straight-up Bach is quite a statement. It's like dancing on a tightrope while you're inventing the theory of relativity. Polyphony? No problem. Variety in tone and timbre? It’s all there.
Straight-up Bach is quite a statement. It's like dancing on a tightrope while you're inventing the theory of relativity. Polyphony? No problem. Variety in tone and timbre? It’s all there.
Bach was making a statement when he wrote his Sonatas and Partitas for solo violin between 1703 and 1720.
These works showed that the violin is technically capable of being an effective solo instrument. Bach did the same for the solo-cred of the flute and the cello.
When Tessa Campbell stood in front of a packed Kingswood Chapel on Sunday 11 May, and opened her signing-off concert with the fourth, fastest movement of JS Bach’s Sonata No 3 in C Major, the Allegro assai, the statement was clear: she’s ready to tackle, with grace and skill, whatever musical challenges come her way.
Something clicked for her and Sunday night’s audience in Allan Stephenson’s Introduction and Allegro for Violin and Piano, with Mariel Ilusorio on piano.
The South African composer seemed to have young musicians in mind – it’s an upbeat, youthful piece and Ilusorio was the perfect match for Campbell's energy.
The violin virtuoso and composer Niccolò Paganini offered Campbell her next opportunity to show off her technical competence in Solo Caprice No. 13.
The first movement of Mendelssohn's Violin Concerto was where it all came together for Campbell and Ilusorio.
Their ensemble was a lesson in what happens when good musicians work together over a long period.
"Mariel and [husband]Juan Munoz have worked with Tessa for many years," Tessa's mother Liz, a music teacher at the Diocesan School for Girls, explained.
The couple have been central to Tessa's musical life from an early age. She started violin lessons at the age of seven, in 2003.
Tessa plans to go to the University of Cape Town to study music, but, according to mom Liz, is also trying to follow up contacts abroad.
In June she departs on a four-week fully sponsored overseas tour with the Miagi ('Music Is A Great Investment) youth orchestra. They will play concerts in Berlin, Hamburg, Amsterdam and Sweden.
Due to complete matric at Kingswood College this year Tessa, 18, is indeed planning to take on the world.
But she's planning to help others along the way.
Proceeds from Sunday night's concert went towards sponsoring another young musician to attend a session with the South African National Youth Orchestra, of which Tessa has been a member for several years.
"This will go towards getting someone talented, who may not have the means, to attend workshops with the youth orchestra," she told an audience that was only too glad of the chance to show their appreciation for a wonderful performance.
