When people who are not using Facebook say they don’t like Facebook, I secretly feel sorry for them. I, for one, love Facebook! And if for no other reason than the fact that I can get instantaneous information from all over the world just by glancing at Facebook for a few seconds. Fortunately, that happened recently on a Sunday morning and by 2 pm that afternoon, I was sitting practically arm’s reach from a 17th century Stradivarius being played by renowned violinist, Iryna Krechkovsky. Words cannot even begin to describe the feelings I had as I sat there and listened to Iryna’s violin and the beautiful, flawless piano accompanying her, played by her husband, Kevin Kwan Loucks, a graduate of The Julliard School and The Claire Trevor School of the Arts at University of California, Irvine, where he and Iryna were recently appointed Artists in Residence. It was difficult to be fully present as I struggled with my brain trying to believe this was even a real experience. I kept looking around the room to see if anyone else appeared to be imagining these exquisite notes emanating from these four hands as they danced across their instruments. I was mesmerized by Iryna’s delicate fingers creating sounds I’d never heard come from a violin. To be that close to such perfection is an experience I will carry with me throughout my life.
I’ve always loved classical music, so for me to be sitting there, in such an intimate space with seating for no more than 50, I fell instantly in love with this immensely talented duo. I have since found that they recently had their inaugural gala for Chamber Music OC, dedicated to advancing the art of chamber music. To know more about these dynamic musicians and upcoming performances, please visit these websites:
www.irynakrechkovsky.com
www.kevinloucks.com
www.chambermusicoc.org
Iryna and Kevin both have Facebook pages. Of course they do, these are very smart people!
Update 4/3/2017: The duo has become a trio with the addition to incredibly talented cellist Ross Gasworth and is now called Trio Céleste. They will be performing at Carnegie Hall April 15th!!
See their debut album and performance schedule here: http://www.trioceleste.com
