Professional artists from around the world showcased their talents at the Fernie Knox United Church last weekend.
During the SoWeCa Chamber Music Festival renowned artists performed a series of short salon style showpieces.
Andrew Brown, a retired member of the CBC Radio Orchestra, and John Lowry, a concertmaster of the Edmonton Symphony, were among the group of artists.
“They're these little jewels of music that were often heard in a chamber setting (a salon or reception room),” pre-concert presenter Brian Black said.
Rivka Golani, who is recognized as one of the great violists of our times, organized the festival. Now an artistic director, Golani used to perform as a soloist in the Boston Symphony, the Calgary Philharmonic and the BBC Symphony.
But now, Golani works to bring fine music to smaller cities that don’t normally get this type of music, including Fernie.
The festival is centered at the Key City Theatre in Cranbrook and the musicians are set to perform at the Buffalo Jump and the University of Lethbridge this week. And Fernie locals enjoyed light, uplifting music from French and German composers like Gabriel Faure, Camille Saint-Saens and Johannes Brahms on Saturday.
“You’re getting this great mixture of music,” Black said.
“I think it’s great, these performers are all excellent artists from around the world, they bring everything, wonderful music to this city.”