Bravo Sarbarite Chamber Players

Over the weekend, I had the opportunity to attend the Sybarite Chamber Players free concert in Sarasota. If you weren't there, you missed quite a treat.

I don't think I've ever walked away so excited about chamber music. Yes, I listen to classical music every now and then. But sometimes watching it can be . . . well not as thrilling as it could be. It all depends on who is performing the music. It is one thing to play and another to actually perform. The Sybarite Chamber Players aren't merely players but performers. As young as they are (late 20s/30s I'm guessing), they perform with passion. It's almost as if they are singing through their instruments.

The hour-long concert featured the savory Piotr Szewczyk song "The Rebel" (one of my new favorites), Samuel Barber's beautiful "Adagio" (you could literally hear a pin drop in between movements) and a few wonderful medleys from Paul Kim's arrangement of Radiohead music aptly titled "Radiohead Remixed."

Part of the group's claim to fame (they have been featured on NPR and the CBS Early Show) is that it plays remixed arrangements of 20th century rock and alternative music, including Radiohead, The Who and Led Zeppelin.

Basically, this chmaber music group really rocks out.

The setting for the concert had a contemporary flair to it, too. The stage and part of the VIP seating was set up like a living room, with couches and comfy chairs. Not to mention coffee tables that held a dessert tray.

The audience loved the group so much, it gave the gift of a long standing ovation, which brought an encore.

Such a wonderful event should be a yearly affair. The buzz after last weekend's concert was that it very well may be.

-January Holmes