Children's stories - threats to innocence and the power of hope...
Fazil Say is a brilliant Turkish pianist-composer, who is not afraid to speak out about the environmental degradation at Mount Ida in Turkey where a mining company was destroying forests of outstanding ecological importance and beauty. The outcry was so overwhelming that the Canadian mining company have withdrawn for now.
Beethoven’s last and greatest Violin Sonata is like an oasis amongst the increasing complexity and depth of his late work. For once he just revels in the childlike simplicity and beauty of his themes. Much of Beethoven’s love of long solitary walks in the countryside around Vienna can be heard in this almost pastoral work. He could no longer hear birdsong but he could remember it and re-imagine it for us in the glorious opening movement. The slow movement is a long-breathed reflection on beauty, while the folk-like Finale is one of his favourite Variations movements, specifically composed for a visiting violinist who did not like to play the usual rumbustious and high energy last movements.
Just four singers and a motley collection of percussion instruments, played by the singers, tell the sad story of the Little Match Girl in the famous words of Hans Christian Andersen. Between chapters the singers provide a commentary comment on a world where a small girl can on Christmas Eve freeze to death in the street. It is inexpressibly moving, not a dry eye in the house.
Please be aware that there are changes in the artists and programme for this concert, to what can be found in the brochure or programme book. Due to unforeseen circumstances, José Gallardo will not be performing this evening. Amadeus Wiesensee will perform alongside Diana Tishchenko, and the Enescu Impressions of Childhood has been replaced by Beethoven Violin Sonata No.10
