Masterworks III Featuring Geneva Lewis and Gabriel Martins

Wednesday, February 15, 2023

For Masterworks III, the South Florida Symphony Orchestra (SFSO) will present Johannes Brahms’ final symphonic work, Double Concerto, featuring New Zealand-born violinist Geneva Lewis and cellist Gabriel Martins. Lewis has forged a reputation as a musician of consummate artistry whose performances speak from and to the heart, while Martins has established himself as one of the world’s most enthralling young artists, with a deep commitment to the timeless masterpieces of classical music.

This concert will also feature the Fifth Symphony by famed Finnish composer Sibelius, and the spirited overture to Berlioz’s Béatrice et Bénédict.

OutClique caught up with the duo to talk more about their upcoming South Florida appearance and more.

Denny Patterson: Can you begin by telling us what we can expect from your performance with the SFSO, and what are you personally looking forward to the most about it?

Gabriel Martins: Geneva and I will be guest soloists for the Brahms Double Concerto. This is a unique concerto in that two soloists are featured rather than the traditional one. Other than just being a great work by a great composer, it offers many interesting and special dialogues on stage. At times, the violin and cello are conversing with one another, at other times they team up as an entity beside the orchestra. It is a dramatic and beautiful work that is always a privilege to play.

Geneva Lewis: It’s always a very special privilege to share the stage with Gabriel, and I’m very much looking forward to collaborating with Maestra Sebrina Alfonso and the SFSO on this wonderful work, which Gabriel has described so well.

Denny Patterson: Is this your first time playing with the SFSO?

Geneva Lewis: Yes, it will be the first time playing with the SFSO for both of us!

Denny Patterson:What are you hoping to take away from this experience?

Geneva Lewis: I always enjoy getting the opportunity to play with musicians/ensembles for the first time. There’s so much opportunity for exciting new discoveries.

Gabriel Martins: Absolutely. The chance for collaboration is always a new and exciting project. Also, of course, getting to connect with new audiences. I’ve always enjoyed coming to Florida to play, or to visit.

Denny Patterson: What do you ultimately hope audiences take away from Masterworks III?

Gabriel Martins: The chance to experience these classical masterpieces. The art of classical music is something that can be so unbelievably powerful, so much so that Geneva and I have decided to devote our lives to the pursuit of its excellence. I hope that in a concert full of great works such as this one, we can do our part to share its wonder with audiences.

Geneva Lewis: I hope that people can come away from this concert with their love for music satisfied and strengthened. It’s so special to come together in a shared space and experience such breathtaking music as a community. Whether the music is an escape for us, or feels entirely relevant to our own lives, I hope the evening will provide the opportunity to be emotionally moved.

Denny Patterson: Have you both always had a passion for music? How did your journey begin with your respective instruments?

Geneva Lewis: Music has always been my greatest passion, and one that I was surrounded by from an early age. I started playing violin when I was three, following in the footsteps of my older siblings, who are both musicians as well.

Gabriel Martins: I became completely obsessed with classical music in my teenage years. I was incredibly fortunate to grow up going to the IU Jacobs School of Music and studying with my long-time teacher, Susan Moses. She gifted me with a love for the arts that will stick with me for my whole life, no doubt.

Denny Patterson: Not only do you perform together, but you are also an actual couple. What’s the story behind your romance?

Gabriel Martins:We were graduate students together at the New England Conservatory of Music in Boston. We were actually sharing the same management (Concert Artists Guild) at the time, so we had many chances to work together as well.

Geneva Lewis: We’d crossed paths for some years before really getting to know each other but spent a lot of time together during the earlier months of the pandemic and became very close.

Denny Patterson: What would you say are the perks and challenges of working/performing together?

Geneva Lewis: Well before we were together, Gabriel has been one of the musicians I’ve admired the most, and I’ve always been profoundly inspired by his artistry. The opportunity to collaborate with him purely on that artistic level is something that will remain incredibly exciting and special for me, and I learn so much every time we play together. Of course, we can both be strongly opinionated and quite stubborn at times, which leads to musical disagreements, but that’s just a natural part of the interpretive process. And of course, it’s very meaningful to have more time to spend together in any capacity - being able to share the stage is a very special cherry on top!

Gabriel Martins: It certainly is a great joy to be able to work and spend time together, on stage or off. The life of a traveling musician can be very lonely at times, and we definitely look forward to the trips that we are able to do together. From the artistic side, I believe we are constantly pushing each other to grow. Although we work and prepare in quite different ways, this can actually often bring to light things that we wouldn’t think about otherwise. The bottom line is that Geneva is a very special artist, and I consider myself lucky to be around her every day.

Denny Patterson: What are some future goals you hope to accomplish with your respective careers?

Gabriel Martins: My goal in this field has always been to ‘carry the flag,’ as they say. To pass on the tradition of classical music at the highest level.

Geneva Lewis: The ultimate personal goal is unattainablethe beautifully endless attempt to become better and better as an artist, musician, and person. Career-specific goals are difficult to answer, because our journey as classical musicians can be such a winding road. I just hope to be as genuine as I can, and share music that I love.

Denny Patterson: Before we wrap up, are there any other upcoming projects or anything else you would like to mention or plug?

Gabriel Martins: Since the pandemic, I have become very passionate about online teaching. I’ve always considered it a duty to pass on what has been given to me, and the chance to work with people all over the world now has been very special. Anyone who may be interested can find more information on my website.

Geneva Lewis: There are always exciting new things in the works. I’m looking forward to lots of upcoming concerts, many of which are with Gabriel. My website is regularly updated, so more specific projects will be shared there!

To stay up-to-date with Lewis and Martins, visit their respective websites, GenevaLewisViolinist.com and GabrielMartinsCello.com. Masterworks III will be performed at The Parker on February 15, 2023 at 7:30PM. For more information and to purchase tickets, visit SouthFloridaSymphony.org, or call (954) 522-8445.

Author: Denny Patterson