It’s an oboe, a violin and a classical guitar. The unusual culmination of those three instruments gives the classical music trio Stretto a unique sound. “I always wanted to try it. It’s never been done that I know of and
It’s an oboe, a violin and a classical guitar. The unusual culmination of those three instruments gives the classical music trio Stretto a unique sound.
“I always wanted to try it. It’s never been done that I know of and that, I’m hoping, is one of our edges in the scene,” said founder and oboist Miriam Kapner. “We’ve got the two treble instruments and the guitar.”
Kapner founded the trio about a year and a half ago, which currently consists of Kapner on oboe, Rebecca Cherry on electric violin and Meliset Abreu on classical guitar.
Kapner described the term “stretto” as a sort of metaphor for crossovers, one melody overlaps another and another interrupts the overlap.
“We’re kind of heading in a whole new direction now, with Rebecca on the electric violin,” Kapner said. “We’re doing Bach, Schumann and some Jewish music.”
They are also working several composers to have original works commissioned, as they progress into their nonprofit status.
Kapner is a frequent visitor to Kaua‘i. This will be her ninth visit, but her first as a musician.
“It means a lot to me to come as a musician and not just a visitor. I have made many friends and I’ve been very lucky,” Kapner said.
In this regard, Kapner set two performances and two educational services for the community.
Stretto will be at the Kaua‘i Community College Performing Arts Center, tomorrow at 7 p.m. Tickets are $20 for adults and $10 for students 18 years old and younger. Tickets can be purchased at the Border’s Books, Music & Cafe in Lihu‘e, Bounty Music in Kapa‘a, Kahn Galleries in Hanalei and Koloa and the Kalaheo Coffee Company.
On Sunday, Stretto will host an “Afternoon Tea with Stretto” at the Princeville Resort as a part of the resort’s concert series. “Tea” will be in the living room from 3 p.m. to 5 p.m., with the live performance starting at 4 p.m. and includes a selection of brewed teas, sandwiches and pastries. Admission for “Tea” is $21 per person, plus tax and gratuity. Reservations are required.
Lastly, Stretto wouldn’t be Stretto without contributing to the community through two educational services.
“We’ll be doing instrumental demos, like this is an oboe and this is how I make this sound,” Kapner said. “Then we’ll play together and explain what we do.”
The educational services on Monday will be at 10:30 at the KCC PAC, and 12:30 in Waimea for high schoolers.
“You always have to change your schtick when dealing with the different ages, obviously you have to change accordingly,” Kapner said.
The trio is based in New York and is dedicated to playing chamber music.
For information on the performance at KCC, call 245-SING. To make reservations for “Tea” at Princeville call the concierge at 826-2900 or 826-9644.
Lanaly Cabalo, lifestyle writer, can be reached at 245-3681 (ext. 237) or lcabalo@kauaipubco.com.
