Classics in the hills - Dr Rus Gruhlke puts on classical concert at Mountambrin, Westmoreland

Mountambrin is home to Rus Gruhlke, a naturalised Jamaican who is known across the island as an artist and much more as an ophthalmologist.

Dr Rus, as he is affectionately called, in the early years of the 1960s travelled around the island offering glaucoma testing and free eye examinations. At that time, it was unheard of, but this foreigner was determined to make a difference in the lives of Jamaicans and a place he would call home years later.

Rus continues to help where he can, as he is determined that the Jamaica he fell in love with years ago is neither gone nor forgotten.

Gruhlke believes that the exposure of Jamaicans to classical music is one of the solutions that can be employed to raise the level of civility in his adopted island home.

'Speaks to your soul'

"Classical music speaks to your soul and whispers messages of tranquility, and I believe that the more persons who can appreciate this genre, then maybe, just maybe, there will be a positive impact and behaviour change. Now I am not like Alice in Wonderland, I know it will take time and that is why I have been, for years, hosting classical concerts at Mountambrin and invite several international musicians, free to the public." said Gruhlke.

"As recent as February of this year, I had a string quartet from Boston performing, and we had talented musicians from the Caribbean also performing with them onstage. I keep trying to make a positive impact, and I am not giving up on Jamaica," he said with a smile etched across a determined face.

On May 22, Mountambrin will again be transformed by the delightful sounds from the violin, violoncello, piano and the guitar. The concert is under the theme 'Musical Mosaic' and will feature Steven Woodham, violinist of international acclaim, who has performed in Budapest, worked in Hollywood and is a professor of music in Kingston.

Woodham's dominance of the violin is magnificent and leaves audiences awestruck.

Jose Carlos Oxamendi Vicet, Cuban-born and classically trained cellist who studied under the tutelage of Anatoly Lukianenco, Russian cellist, will share the stage with Woodham. Vicet has performed for His Royal Highness Prince Charles, Their Excellencies the King and Queen of Spain, governor generals, prime ministers and several other dignitaries. He has also performed in the Opera Festival Oviedo Asturias in Spain and is an associate lecturer with the department of music for cello at Northern Caribbean University.

Also included in the classical line-up is Edison Valencia Mohome, an accomplished pianist who completed studies in Columbia, his birth place, and more recently pursued studies at the Superior Music Conservatory in Salamanca, Spain under the direction of Professor Hedi Sophia Hase.

Numerous awards

Mahome has earned several awards and honours from the Ministry of Culture in Columbia. He is poised to tour Europe and South America with his new albums, of Praise: Luz en la Oscuridad (Light in the Darkness), Quiero Alabarte (I want to Praise You) and Blessings. Mahome is an assistant professor with the department of music at Northern Caribbean University.

The resort, art gallery and quite simply the perfect romantic retreat for weddings or any 'steal away' alone time will be serving up more musical treats in the persons of Lincoln Thomas who has performed onstage with several reggae greats and in Japan with hip-hop celebrities, along with Courtney Sinclair, pianist extraordinaire who is no stranger to the international scene and is known for his up-tempo repertoire on the ivory.

Musical Mosaic will feature the 1st and 2nd movement of Eccles, Allegro Passinato, Saint Saens, and the 'piece de resistance', Piazzola's Oblivion and Prema Vera Portena along with contemporary pieces from the Beatles, Bob Marley and Miriam Makeba.

There will be cameo appearances from soloist Sharon Martini and Rosette Chisholm Salazar.

Musical Mosaic is scheduled to start at 1 p.m. on Sunday May 22 and will end at 3 p.m.

The event is open to the public and will cost $2,000. This is the first time a contribution is being solicited from patrons, as the economic crunch takes it toll.

Guests will also be treated to the viewing of the Lesbert Lee Gallery and a nature trail walk.