The songs had diverse moods, ranging from the nonchalance of the Honegger “Concerto” (actually containing a slow movement with a lyrical atmosphere), through the romanticism of Arensky and the operatism (is that a word?) of Puccini, to Sculthorpe’s impassioned, sometimes even angry, plea for the environment. Cowell’s “Hymns and Fuguing Tunes” (one for strings alone, one with oboe) inhabited a world of neoclassical serenity, while Priaulx Rainier’s “Movement”, in virtue of its journey from darkness to light, performed a transitional function in this program.
The ensemble was delighted to welcome back good friends Christine Draeger and Rachel Tolmie as soloists.
FOR YOUR DIARY: the third and final Bourbaki Ensemble concert for this year will take place on Friday December 4 at St Stephen’s Anglican Church, 189 Church St, Newtown. It will commence at 7.30pm, and will consist of music for brass and strings. Soloists Brian Evans and Greg van der Struik will give the world premiere performance of Greg’s “Concertino” for trumpet, trombone and string orchestra.
* Peter Sculthorpe, “Shining Island”.
* Greg van der Struik, “Concertino” for trumpet, trombone and strings
(Brian Evans, trumpet; Greg van der Struik, trombone).
* Dmitri Shostakovich, “Chamber Symphony, Op.118a”.
* Thea Musgrave, “Aurora”.
