Passion

Rhapsody Quintet has performed salon music, tangos, light classics, theatre music, and chamber music since the mid-'80s at concerts, corporate events, charity fundraisers and dinners for royalty. They arrange and adapt a wide range of music to suit their unique instrumentation (violin, clarinet, cello, piano and double bass). The members are: Anne Rapson, violin; John Rapson, clarinet; Shimon Walt, cello; Diana Torbert, piano; and David Langstroth, double bass. The Quintet has released fiveprevious CDs: 'The Melody Lingers On' (1998) featuring musical theatre songs with Leslie Lake Searle and Ross Thompson; The East Coast Music Awards' nominated 'Caf Chantant and Other Salon Delights' (1999); 'Kiss of Fire in (2001); 'Rhapsody in Red' (2004) which won the Best Classical Recording CD for 2005 at the Music Industry Association of Nova Scotia Awards and was nominated for Best Classical Recording at the 2006 ECMAs; and 'Rhapsody by Request' (2008) which also won the same Music Nova Scotia award and was nominated for an ECMA. The five discs are often played on CBC radio, and internationally on the BBC. Rhapsody Quintet has appeared twice as guest artists with Symphony Nova Scotia in their Traditional Pops Series, receiving rave reviews and standing ovations, and performed in Ottawa as part of the National Arts Centre's Atlantic Scene Festival and Toronto's Music Alive series. Rhapsody's recordings have been used in ballet performances and theatre productions, including the Atlantic Theatre Festival, Neptune Theatre, and Chester Playhouse. Whether Playing klezmer tunes in 'Kosher Ceilidh', or entertaining audiences on the Italian Riviera Rhapsody puts a smile on their listeners' faces, and a melody in their hearts. 'It's a very eclectic selection, and yet the arrangements and performances are both presented with such style and taste that the music seems to flow effortlessly from one track to another' - Tom Plewman, The Madrigal CD shop.