Marlena Tureski

Principal Cello

Marlena Tureski, Saskatchewan native, began her professional studies at the Victoria Conservatory of Music with James Hunter in 1977, at the same time playing with the Victoria Symphony, the Canadian Chamber Orchestra, and studying with Zara Nelsova in Victoria, Vancouver and The Banff Centre. Masterclasses included those of Janos Starker and Leonard Rose. Marlena Tureski joined the Vancouver Symphony Orchestra as a tenured cellist in 1981, and continued playing with the VSO in various positions for over 25 years, as well as being a regular freelance member of the Seattle Symphony and Opera. Before moving to Guelph in 2009 she had been a freelance chamber musician in Chicago, performing with members of the Chicago Symphony, Chicago Chamber Musicians and the Lyric Opera. Though now retired she was always an avid cello teacher and orchestral coach, inspiring aspiring young professionals.

How do you prepare mentally and physically before a big concert?
For me, preparing mentally and physically for a concert has a few favourite and time-tested steps. There are of course the hours of preparation, both technical and musical, even if it's something I've played many times before. That's the actually the physical part. Mentally, I like to step away from the music altogether by gardening, painting orthodox icons and chopping ingredients for a good meal with fine sharp knives.

What is the most challenging piece of music you've ever performed, and what did you learn from the experience?
The most challenging piece of music I have performed? Mahler, Bruckner, Richard Strauss? Although those remain my favourites I think every musician has their nemeses and mine are Strauss's Radetzki March and Tchaikovsky's Romeo and Juliet! Yes, they terrify me!!