Autumn Concert 2018:
Mozart & Enigma
Sunday 6th May @ 2pm
The Springwood Theatre & Community Hub
Blue Mountains Orchestra return for a wonderful concert of works from Mozart, Elgar, Holst and Furnell
Mozart: Sinfonia Concertante in E flat major for Violin and Viola. (1779)
Mozart, child prodigy and all round genius, was famous as one of the great keyboard virtuosi of his time, but he was also a very competent player of both the violin and the viola.
Whilst on one of his many European tours entertaining the aristocracy in 1779, the 23 year old Mozart wrote his Sinfonia Concertante for solo violin and viola and orchestra.
It offers a rare opportunity for an outstanding viola player to feature as a soloist, alongside the violin. Our soloists in this performance will be two of Australia’s outstanding string players, Lisa Stewart and Stefan Duwe, who comprise one half of the Acacia Quartet, and have recently become residents in the Blue Mountains.
Elgar: Enigma Variations (Variations on an Original Theme)
English composer Edward Elgar was at the height of his powers as a composer when, in 1899, he wrote a series of variations, each one a picture in sound of one of his friends.
The original theme on which the variations are based is certainly by Elgar, but the “Enigma” of the title is based on Elgar’s suggestion that the theme that he wrote is really a counter-theme to another great tune, but he never divulged what that tune was, and it has remained an enigma ever since. His original theme is woven through the many variations, always present in some form, and presenting a real challenge for the orchestra.
Holst: Suite in E flat major
Fellow English composer and friend and contemporary of Elgar, Gustav Holst, wrote two suites for concert band which are recognized as amongst the greatest works written for band.
Both suites have three contrasting movements, overflowing with great tunes reminiscent of the great revival of traditional folk songs which was taking place at the time.
Gordon Jacob, friend and student of Holst, recognized the orchestral possibilities of the First Suite, and so transcribed it for orchestra.
Furnell: Elegy in C minor, Op48
Local composer Mark Furnell wrote Elegy which is a string orchestra arrangement of a slow movement from a piano trio which he wrote several years ago. This piece is not connected to a person or an event but is intended to express a mood ¬¬- an elegiac mood.
Blue Mountains Orchestra present Mozart and Enigma
Sunday 6 May, 2pm