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Easterbrook Hall, Dumfries
20 November 2005
Conductor - Geoff Keating
Soloist - Dorothy King
Tchaikovsky :
Overture - "Romeo and Juliet"
Elgar :
Song Cycle - "Sea Pictures"
Dvoràk :
Symphony No 9 - "The New World"
Programme Notes
Fantasy-Overture: "Romeo and Juliet" Tchaikovsky (1840-1893)
Based of course on the story of Shakespeare's play, is an example of an orchestral fantasia written in sonata form. The different themes represent the characters in the play: the introductory section is a solemn tune for Friar Lawrence, the first subject depicts the fighting between the Montagues and Capulets, while the second subject represents the two lovers. The final section echoes the play's ending, with a funereal drumbeat and the love theme in a sombre mood.
Song-cycle: "Sea Pictures" Op 37 Elgar (1857-1934)
Sea Slumber Song - Andantino; In Haven (Capri) - Allegretto; Sabbath Morning at Sea - Moderato - Grandioso; Where Corals Lie - Allegretto ma non troppo; The Swimmer - Allegro di molto
Elgar had moved from his native Worcester to London in 1890 but found little support for his music there and returned to Worcester the following year. By 1899, however, the Enigma Variations won him such popularity that he was awarded an honorary degree by Cambridge University. A few months later his fame spread further afield when his Sea Songs were first performed at the Norwich Festival with the young Clara Butt as soloist. Each of the five poems Elgar set are by different poets.
Symphony No 9 in E minor "From the New World" Dvorák (1841- 1904)
Adagio - allegro molto; Largo; Scherzo; Allegro con fuoco
In 1892 Dvorák accepted a large financial incentive to move to America to become Director of the new National Conservatoire. The following year, homesick for his native land, he wrote his ninth symphony as music sent there "From the New World", a title he added shortly before its first performance in Carnegie Hall in December 1893. Fascinated by native American music he wrote, "I have not actually used any of the melodies; I have simply written original themes embodying the peculiarities of Indian music, and using them as subjects, have developed them with all the resources of modern rhythms, harmony, counterpoint and orchestral colour". In this his most famous symphony, however, its many themes are still characteristically Bohemian and he uses them to knit together the four movements.
The slow movement, probably the most famous by courtesy of a wellknown bread, has the reflective style of a negro spiritual yet remains entirely individual. The dance of the scherzo was to represent Indian dances but is closer to an actual Bohemian model. The bold finale quotes themes from the previous movements and ends a work "which", Dvorák wrote to a friend, "pleases me very much and will differ substantially from my earlier compositions. Well, the influence of America can be felt by anyone who has a 'nose'."
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Dorothy King studied at the RSAMD and later at the Opera School. In 1995 she joined the Scottish Opera chorus and was chosen to sing roles such as the Forester.s Wife in Janacek.s "The Cunning Little Vixen", Ines in "Il Trovatore" and Annina in "La Traviata". She has performed solo roles with The Singers Company in Glasgow and Lady Macbeth with The Edinburgh Grand Opera. After leaving Scottish Opera she went on to sing "Tosca" throughout the country for the European Chamber Opera and recently returned to Scottish Opera to sing in Beethoven.s "Fidelio".
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The following account was published in the local press:
SINFONIA'S FINE PERFORMANCE
Tchaikovsky's Fantasy-Overture, Romeo and Juliet, is a test piece for any ensemble and the Solway Sinfonia demonstrated their expertise in their concert at the Easterbrook Hall last Sunday night. After a somewhat tentative opening where the intonation and ensemble suffered, the orchestra settled down in the difficult middle section of the piece. Some enthusiastic playing from the timpanist encouraged the strings to play with more vigour so that when the "big tune" appeared for the final time, it was played with passion and intensity.
Elgar's Sea Pictures gave the soprano soloist, Dorothy King, the opportunity to show her musicianship and poise. Her voice has a lovely rich quality and it encouraged the orchestra to produce a sensitive accompaniment.
The "New World" symphony by Dvorak is one of the great works in the orchestral repertoire and here the Sinfonia, finding their true form, gave it a fine performance which demonstrated the skill of the players. Spurred on by their excellent conductor, Geoff Keating, it brought the concert to a thrilling close: the capacity audience certainly approved and gave the orchestra and conductor a rousing reception.
"Clarion"