Gabrielle Duykers, Naracoorte Community News
The sounds of classic works will soon fill the walls of the Naracoorte Caves, with internationally acclaimed violinist Jonathon Glonek set to perform there this weekend.
The world heritage site will host two concerts featuring the Adelaide-born musician: the first offering a glimpse into the repertoire of the solo violin, and the second serving up a duo recital from Mr Glonek and violist Heidi Von Bernewitz.
Mr Glonek began violin studies at the age of seven before touring internationally at the age of 12.
He said his love of music was born out of the “traditional” practice where each family member was encouraged to study an instrument.
“It becomes an output, it becomes a discipline, and it becomes a basis for a very healthy lifestyle,” Mr Glonek said.
His unique style encompasses the philosophies of great figures in 20th-century string-playing; including Leopold Auer, Eugène Ysaÿe, and Pablo Casals.
Mr Glonek has studied and performed in Europe, The United States, Southeast Asia and Australia.
While having performed at many impressive venues across the globe, he said he was particularly excited to play in the Caves.
“It’s going to work perfectly because the cave surface is going to be very resonant, so (the sound) is going to boom around the place but the dirt floor will help balance it out,” Mr Glonek said.
“It’s going to be a really intimate and very direct acoustic.”
Despite having spent more than 50 years mastering his instrument, he still experiences some pre-performance nerves.
“I think it’s a good thing because you need to be a little bit on edge in order to really focus on your performance and deliver that little bit extra,” Mr Glonek said.
Heidi von Bernewitz is a Boston and Yale University graduate, having performed with the Baltimore Symphony Orchestra, the London Philharmonic, the English National Opera, the Sydney Symphony, Australian Opera Orchestras and the Australian Chamber Orchestra.
The solo performance by Mr Glonek will be on Saturday, November 13, followed by the duo with Ms Bernewitz on Sunday, November 14, in the Blanche Cave.
Tickets are available at www.trybooking.com/events/landing/772083.
This article appeared in Naracoorte Community News, 10 November 2021.
