Lennox Duo @ Corning Mansion 2/14/10

Walking up the winding driveway to the Corning Mansion, even the snow-white landscape and ice-covered lake could not detract from its elegant presence sitting on the lake shore in Bratenahl. The 13,000 square-foot, three-story brick house, built in 1916 by extended members of the Corning family, looked strong and impressive in stark contrast to the surrounding nine acres of winter trees and white ground covering. What a wonderful venue to hear live classical music!

The Lennox Duo, Cara Tweed, violin, and Nicholas Diodore, cello, hosted by the Bratenhal Chamber Music Series, performed a selection of Bach, Ravel, Martinu, and Kodaly music for a Valentine's Day program at the Corning Mansion. Learning that Tweed and Diodore were recently married added to the romance of their music.

The concert was located within the intimate surroundings of the 28 x 42-foot oak paneled living room, complete with a high ceiling, a humongous fireplace, and a 1916 nine-foot concert grand piano. This room, bordered by windows overlooking Lake Erie, gave the performers ample space to extend their artistry and create an outstanding concert.

Even though the music included tricky syncopation and rhythms, the Lennox Duo played with lush sounds and warm tones. Both performers, graduates of the Cleveland Institute of Music, are teachers at the Aurora School of Music and the Music Settlement. One of the audience members described the concert like being bathed in chocolate. Champagne, chocolate, and hors d'oeuvres were served before the concert, and slices of turkey and roast beef with fresh vegetables, strawberries and dessert afterward.

Three years ago, the Corning Mansion was scheduled for demolition due to plans for a condominium development. Home restoration expert and bass musician Tom Christopherson and his wife, Lydia, could not let that happen. They purchased the home and began the restoration process. The Mansion houses a solarium and conservatory, a ballroom, a library, and working and service kitchens. The structure has six bedrooms, six bathrooms, and seven fireplaces. An additional five-bedroom wing was used to house the staff members. "Even with the huge rooms in this house," said Christopherson, "it is still on a human scale and very much a home."

The next event, a piano recital performed by Sharon Knickerbocker, is scheduled for Sun 2/28, to celebrate Chopin's 200th birthday. The ticket proceeds from the Bratenahl Chamber Music Series help to renovate and sustain the Corning Mansion. For more information, contact corningmansion@gmail.com or call 216.681.1621 for ticket reservations.

From Cool Cleveland contributor Susan Schaul, who says the act of writing is like assembling a jigsaw puzzle. The challenge lies in getting the pieces to fit together and make sense.