markmdavis
Dec-30-2007, 8:20pm
So - Beverly and I are heading out on the first of January to make a visit to the Sydney FAME festival. This year the emphasis is on all (or nearly all) contemporary, original Australian music for plucked string ensemble. The Aussie government apparently does a good job encouraging and supporting their local composers, in that a lot of mandolin music gets published, performed and recorded. A list of the music we are performing is as follows:
Autumn Sketches – Robert Allworth
Sydney Overture – Herbert Baumann
Mikri Thalassa – Betty Beath
Dance of the Shepherds – Colin Brumby
Second Suite for Plectrum Orchestra – Eric Gross
Six Moods in Miniature – Eric Gross
Pacifica – Michelle Nelson
Under Sydney Skies – John Peterson
Stringing – Caroline Szeto
Some of this music has been around for a few years and has been recorded. Some of it I am pretty sure has been written expressly for the festival. In any case, it is going to be most enjoyable getting to work on it and perform it there.
I am going as the designated 'head' of the guitar section - the guitar section for this orchestra being 20 persons. The entire orchestra, which will be directed by the esteemed Australian mandolinist Adrian Hooper, at last count was up to 120-some players!
Beverly and I will also be performing in at least three separate recitals whilst there. Among the pieces we will be performing will be the excellent "Cold Mountain Songs" written for us by Francine Trester of Boston.
The Festival runs from January 6 - 13th. AND guess what - it is mid-summer there! Yes, it is a tough job but someone has to do it, right?!
We will give a full report when we get back.
Autumn Sketches – Robert Allworth
Sydney Overture – Herbert Baumann
Mikri Thalassa – Betty Beath
Dance of the Shepherds – Colin Brumby
Second Suite for Plectrum Orchestra – Eric Gross
Six Moods in Miniature – Eric Gross
Pacifica – Michelle Nelson
Under Sydney Skies – John Peterson
Stringing – Caroline Szeto
Some of this music has been around for a few years and has been recorded. Some of it I am pretty sure has been written expressly for the festival. In any case, it is going to be most enjoyable getting to work on it and perform it there.
I am going as the designated 'head' of the guitar section - the guitar section for this orchestra being 20 persons. The entire orchestra, which will be directed by the esteemed Australian mandolinist Adrian Hooper, at last count was up to 120-some players!
Beverly and I will also be performing in at least three separate recitals whilst there. Among the pieces we will be performing will be the excellent "Cold Mountain Songs" written for us by Francine Trester of Boston.
The Festival runs from January 6 - 13th. AND guess what - it is mid-summer there! Yes, it is a tough job but someone has to do it, right?!
We will give a full report when we get back.