Bizarrity

I came in late for this one after travel and it was not a easy program.  NCO was played a concert comprising an overture by Miriam Hyde (relatively easy but with a few unexpected twists), a viola sonata by Rebecca Clarke arranged for orchestra (three movements, airy and impressionistic, with some wonderful playing from soloist Alina Zamfir) and a doozy, Berlioz Symphonie fantastique.  I'd been amused to hear a somewhat bizarre response from some professionals about that one before the rehearsals started.  And it was bizarre, but quite intriguing in the end, when finally pulled it off.  This had had the most work and was the most fearsome of the three and thus went off best on the day.  Fear can prompt focused practice.  Whatever, we got a good review that ended: "Executing this daring program with such flair and competence would have been beyond many community orchestras, but the NCO was up for the challenge, and delivered" (Michael Wilson in CBR City News, 2 Dec 2024).  I expect most would agree given a joyous exit after the Berlioz.  Nice one and much enjoyed as always.

National Capital Orchestra performed Miriam Hyde, Rebecca Clarke and Hector Berlioz Symphonie fantastique at Snow Concert Hall under Louis Sharpe (conductor) with soloist Alina Zamfir (viola).

https://citynews.com.au/2024/orchestra-delivers-on-a-daring-program/

Clarkey

Clarkey is for Rebecca Clarke, viola player and composer, born in Harrow, England, trained at the RSM and RAM and one of the first female professional orchestral players. Alina Zamfir and Ella Luhtassaari performed Rebecca's Sonata for viola and piano at Wesley and it was a seriously fascinating piece, variously impetuous, pensive, rife with demanding techniques, impressionist and romantic. They also played Ernst Bloch, oddly confused with RC as a woman composer wasn't thought capable of writing this Sonata, and Frank Bridge. Alina is here with the CSO in an inaugural Kingsland Residency. Both she and Ella are eminently well trained in Australia and OS so serious playing. The music was, too: nothing here for the fainthearted. This was technically challenging. I particularly noticed quick, breathing crescendos and de-cs, but there was plenty more for both instruments and they carried it off with ease and a serious level of concentration. Thanks to Alina and Ella for the concert but also for the introduction to some very satisfying works for the viola.

Alina Zamfir (viola) and Ella Luhtasaari (piano) performed Clarke, Bloch and Bridge at Wesley.