Richard Tognetti Artistic Director and Lead Violin
Satu Vänskä Violin
Christopher Moore Viola
Timo-Veikko Valve Cello
Maxime Bibeau Double Bass
Craig Hill Clarinet
Darryl Poulsen Horn
Jane Gower Bassoon
performing on period instruments
SCHUBERT (arr. Tognetti) Rondo Brilliante, D895
BEETHOVEN Septet, Op.20
BRAHMS Clarinet Quintet
Vienna was the centre of 19th century music-making and these three composers were its masters. More, the Clarinet Quintet was Brahms’ supreme achievement in chamber music and Beethoven’s Septet made him a celebrity in the city.
The Septet remained embarrassingly popular throughout Beethoven’s life, more popular than the symphonies and sonatas. Those who follow Richard Tognetti’s artistic vision will understand Beethoven's view that “art demands of us that we shall not stand still”. Once in a while, though, it's nice to channel your inner aristocrat and delight in tuneful, accomplished music like this and Brahms’ graceful, autumnal Clarinet Quintet. The ACO performs on gut strings joined by outstanding period wind instrumentalists.
First though, you’ll cheer ACO Assistant Leader Satu Vänskä’s show-stopping performance of Schubert’s virtuosic Rondo Brilliante. She’s been playing it since she was a child and describes it as a “fourteen minute roller coaster ride – a challenge well worth facing”.
NB. The Melbourne performances will be at Melbourne Town Hall
"The ACO has often performed on so-called original instruments without trumpeting the fact. This time, however, we’re proclaiming the use of gut strings and welcoming period wind virtuosi Craig Hill, Darryl Poulson and Jane Gower, principal bassoonist in John Eliot Gardiner’s orchestras. There’ll be eight of us on stage performing two monumental works of the chamber music repertoire. Since Satu first started performing Schubert’s Rondo Brillante, she always heard the piano as an orchestra, so we’re bringing the piano part to life with our mini-orchestra." Richard Tognetti
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