Toronto Summer Music isn’t afraid to offer the unusual or unexpected, which is admirable.  Last night’s short performance at Walter Hall; Parting Wild Horse’s Mane, paired contemporary music for string quartet with moves from Tai Chi Chuan.  It was OK but I’m not convinced that was much synergy between music and movement.

The music consisted of three new works; a four movement piece by Kevin Lau, a three movement piece by Alexina Louie and a very short piece by Evan Mitchell.  As these were commissioned for this show I imagine that the composers had Tai Chi Chuan at least somewhat in mind as they wrote.  One wouldn’t describe it as programmatic though; perhaps thematically compatible.  Both the Lau and Louie pieces had elements of minimalism and a kind of pulsating energy.  The Mitchell piece was so short that it didn’t leave much of an impression.  The final piece of music was R Murray Schafer’s String Quintet No.6 which gave the programme it’s title and must, one imagines, have been inspired by Tai Chi Chuan.

Each musical movement was accompanied by a piece from Tai Chi Chuan featuring either spear or sword.  One piece involved two swordspeople and the final number featured all three Tai Chi exponents (Jonathan Krehm, David Robert and Evonne Tan) sans battle gear.  I know essentially nothing about this particular martial art so I don’t know how it would read to an aficionado but it was graceful enough.  What makes it a martial art (other than the pointy things) I don’t know because it doesn’t look like it would enhance battlefield survival!

The music was played most skilfully by the Ironwood Quartet (Jessica Linnebach and Emily Ruspe – violins, Carissa Klopoushak – viola and Rachel Mercer – cello).  With the visuals going on in front it was much harder to read the interaction of the musicians and I missed that.  So, bottom line, I enjoyed the music but I’m not convinced that Tai Chi Chuan is a spectator sport and I would just as happily have watched the musicians.

Photo credits: Lucky Tang