Nature\'s Muse

Presented by: I Maestri

---

0	LONDON: St. Marks Church, Regent's Park
P	Saturday 17th June, 2017
N	6:00pm

Event information

I Maestri present

Jean Sibelius Spring Song op. 16
Piotr Tchaikovsky Violin Concerto op. 35
Johann Sebastian Bach Erbarme dich, from Matthew Passion
Jean Sibelius Symphony no. 1 op. 39

George Hlawiczka, violin
Marion Willmann, Mezzo-soprano
I Maestri orchestra
conducted by Sam Barton and Luke Cleghorn

I Maestri’s final concerts of the season present a rarely performed early work by Jean Sibelius along with his much loved First Symphony. The importance of Jean Sibelius’ music to the people of Finland, especially at the beginning of the 20th century, cannot be overstated. Sibelius was an ardent Finnish nationalist, and his music, particularly Finlandia and his symphonic poems, became a central rallying cry for the Finnish people in their fight to preserve their linguistic, cultural and political independence. However, Sibelius also clearly stated that his symphonies should not be viewed through the lens of an extra-musical program. “My symphonies are worked out as musical expression without the slightest literary basis,” he explained. “I’m not a literary musician. For me, music begins where words leave off … A symphony should be music first and last.” But, as musicologist James Hepokoski points out, Sibelius’ insistence that his symphonies were purely musical did not prevent Sibelius from using the First Symphony for non-musical ends. In the summer of 1900, the Helsinki Philharmonic toured Europe with it, using it to garner support for the Finnish cause against Russia.

Despite his nationalist sentiments Sibelius was very much inspired by the music of Tchaikovsky and his first symphony is especially full of this romanticism. The other work on our program is the wonderful Violin Concerto that Tchaikovsky wrote after a trip to Switzerland with the young violinist Yosif Kotek. This trip was taken after he cancelled a wedding to his patron Nadezhka von Meck due to his sexual orientation. Perhaps because of this holiday with the young violinist, the work is very fresh and full of ardent feelings, with a feeling of freedom.

We also present Marion Willmann, the wonderful soprano who was for many years the singing partner to Russell Watson. Bach's Arbarme Dich (Have Mercy) is the beautiful Aria for Contralto and solo violin from his Matthew Passion.

I Maestri is an established orchestra under the patronage of the late Sir Neville Marriner which gives a platform to aspiring conductors and soloists wishing to develop their experience and knowledge in an environment of mutual co-operation. The orchestra is made of the best orchestral players to the best amateurs as well as recently graduated students. I Maestri have helped soloists such as Nicola Bennedetti, Yuri Zhislin, Maxim Rysanov, Dóra Kokas and many others, in giving them a platform to explore their potential and develop their early musical careers in a more relaxed setting.

Tickets: Adult £15 and Concessions £12 (on the door)

Advance tickets: Adult £11 and Concessions £9
(10% booking fee applicable)

Box Office opens at 6pm

Please note that tickets will not be posted out and need to be collected from the Box Office on the day of the performance.

More from this event organiser

13
Jul

ETERNAL WONDERS London

15
Jun

ANGLO-AMERICAN SERENADE London

13
Jul

ETERNAL WONDERS London

15
Jun

ANGLO-AMERICAN SERENADE London