Arianna and Tavern of Fine Arts

Recently Arianna presented Beethoven's Razumovsky Quartets at the Tavern of Fine Arts, a local neighborhood wine bar and cafe.  I had the opportunity to speak with Joanna Mendoza  and Julia Sakharova about their experiences.

Questions - Joanna Mendoza

Tell us what it's like playing Razumovsky in an intimate space.

It's kind if ironic, we've played these enormous pieces at the Tavern - pieces intended for the concert hall. The range of the Razumovskys is so huge...symphonic and grand but also quiet and introspective at times. And extremely virtuosic for each instrument.

What do you like about playing at the Tavern of Fine Arts?

I  love playing at the Tavern because it feels like a living room. It's so intimate, people can relax, get a bite to eat, order a drink ...because it's a more intimate venue, there's a more immediate connection with the audience. I like the idea that one doesn't have to go to a concert hall to hear classical music. There's a lot going on in St Louis, a lot of choices for people to enjoy the arts of all genres especially during the weekends. I think those that go to the Tavern appreciate the occasional weeknight concert.

Questions - Julia Sakharova

Tell us about how you came to play at Tavern of Fine Arts.

My first experience playing at the Tavern of Fine Arts goes back to September of 2012. The Quartet was getting ready to play our first concert of the season which consisted of Haydn Quartet op. 33 "the Joke", Schostakovich Quartet #3 and a very cool modern piece written by our friend ,violist Kenji Bunch.  Even before that day, in September,  my boyfriend at the time and now fiancee Clay and I were looking for a place to live  and during one of our summer wanderings in the city we walked into the Tavern of Fine Arts.  We ordered something from the menu and struck up a conversation with Aaron Johnson, one of the owners. It turned out that he and I had a few friends in common! The music world is very small! Sitting, enjoying our conversation and sipping wine I thought to myself wouldn't it be great to someday play at this lovely venue? Little did I know that my first appearance with the Arianna Quartet in St. Louis would be at this very space.

What do you enjoy about playing at the Tavern?

Every time we give a concert there I am especially excited about an opportunity to meet new interesting people, engage in meaningful conversations, enjoy delicious food and of course above all to make wonderful music with my quartet and share it with the audience.