Matthew Jones, Angela Garwood and Ariane Alexander seem telepathic when they perform together.
During their first chamber series performance, the trio was in perfect harmony at the Shania Twain Centre on Saturday evening.
"It's difficult because you can't talk to each other, you have to express yourself through other musical gestures, through your playing and physicality cues as well," Jones said.
Jones, who typically assumes the role of conductor, was on cello, Garwood on violin and Alexander as violist. Together they have been rehearsing since September.
"There is extreme emphasis on ensemble. We are individually responsible for every single note. You can't rely on anyone else. If I play the wrong note, you're going to hear it," Alexander said. "It's just as much pressure as a solo."
Trio Nov. 2 by Franz Schubert, Trio in E Flat Major, opus 3 by Beethoven and Divertimento No. 2 K. 439b by Mozart were the three famous pieces performed this weekend.
"It's very interesting because the composers are so famous and their music is so incredibly well-known," Jones said. "It's always interesting to explore why that might be and tonight's performance was an investigation of that."
These particular pieces span from the 1780s to the mid- 19th century and were played to an intimate audience.
"You have more opportunity to express something more personal than you have with the symphony," Garwood said.
"What you're doing has more of an impact. It's a solo-type feel. We're soloists within a group."
Jones had to make a mental switch as he typically takes the role of conductor.
"I'm used to giving orders all the time. I have to sit back and appreciate the voices of my colleagues in rehearsal and be willing to follow somebody else," he explained.
In this case there are three conductors, Jones added. Each player must take on a role of leadership but also know that there is a time to follow somebody else's lead.
"Part of the rehearsal process that we've gone through is to make sure who is leading when and what theme and motives are important," remarked Jones.
Chamber music is challenging for that exact reason and is also what makes it so special.
"It's not only inspiration for our audience but for our faculty to be asked to play at the highest possible level, it's an important tool for recruitment and for attainment. That's a critical component of this series as well."
Charlene Wallace and Sharon Kahan will be the guest artists for the TSO's Feb. 14 Valentine's concert that will feature Mozart's flute and harp double concerto.
The second half of the concert will feature popular love songs such as Moon River and the theme from Romeo and Juliet.
On April 4, the TSO will hold a fundraiser concert at the Days Inn at 6 p. m. called Springtime in Paris. Soul Doubt will perform and there will be a separate draw to win a trip to Paris.
Tickets for the dinner and dance are $100.
On April 25 the TSO will head to North Bay to play with the North Bay Symphony and on May 9, NBS will come to Timmins for a joint concert with the TSO and will perform Brahms Symphony No. 2.
Grammy award-winning violinist James Ehnes will perform a Mozart violin concerto and a Mozart piano concerto on May 28 to raise money for the TSO.
"The opportunity to play with James Ehnes is incredible," Garwood said.