FUSION – Fine Chamber Music by Players from the Central Otago Regional Orchestra
Just as Vivaldi’s Four Seasons moves the listener through the stage of the year, CORO players are coming together from all over the region to rehearse music that will pull you from the depths of winter towards spring……and, yes, an arrangement of the Four Seasons will be played by one of our ensembles.
Think numeracy and literacy in the line-up with duos, trios, quartets, quintets, sextets, septets and octets all blending a variety of instruments to create a fusion of musical styles from composers such as Bach, Debussy, Faure, Lilburn, Poulenc, Quantz, Saint-Saens, Telemann and Vivaldi.
The following is a selection from our intended programme:
Saint-Saens’ Allegro Appassionato moves between luscious legato and sparkling staccato. The tempo variations are led by the soloist Roger Browne at the head of the chamber orchestra supporting him in this indeed passionate allegro.
Deep Tones is a septet of violas all from the Central Otago Regional Orchestra. That there are seven players of this instrument in the orchestra is truly remarkable. Having the opportunity to play in ensemble is something to treasure. Deep Tones will present the First Movement of Telemann’s Concerto in G Major written for soloist (Richard Howarth) and a viola quartet divided between the rest of the players. The other piece Deep Tones will play is Faure’s well- known Pavane in four parts.
Heather Reid will lead the second and third movements of the Brandenburg Concerto No.6 in a sextet including viola, cello, double bass, piano and bass continuo. The Brandenburg Concertos were presented to Christian Ludwig, Margrave of Brandenburg-Schwedt with a note in which Bach modestly attests to the “little talents which Heaven has given me for music”. They were written for multiple instruments and in Concerto No.6 it is the violas and cello who are given the lead roles. This septet will play the Adagio ma non tanto and the Allegro with its gigue a reflection from Concerto No.5.
CORO always like to support upcoming players and we are very pleased to have students, Hannah Sutton and Bridie Nicol to play with us. Bridie will play the Flute Sonata by Poulenc, second movement (Cantilena) and Hannah and Bridie will play a movement from a Quantz duet amongst other offerings. They will be accompanied on the piano by Norie Haines.
Moving to upper registers, Allen Hogan’s flute will take flight in Debussy’s Trio No.3 in G Major the other players being Brian Budd (Cello) and Norie Haines (Piano).
Another Debussy composition, Reverie, will be played by Allen Hogan and Anne-Marie Lake.
CORO is also delighted to announce that our conductor Ashley Hopkins will put down his baton and pick up his clarinet to join in the programme, presenting the Crussel quartet in C minor for clarinet and strings, alongside other valued players from the orchestra. Audiences will also delight in the opportunity to hear Jacqui Hopkins on Bassoon alongside Norie Haines on piano with the first movement from the Hurlstone Sonata.
Our players take pleasure in performing for our Central Otago audiences and hope that you will join us in our concert on Friday, August 16th in the Coronation Hall at Bannockburn at 7.00 pm, door sales are also available, cash only $25 with preconcert sales at Paper Plus Cromwell or at www.undertheradar.co.nz. For school age children admission is free, no ticket is needed.
