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News Release for Camerata NB “Airs and Graces”
New Brunswick- This October, Camerata New Brunswick presents a concert of classics for chamber orchestra showcasing the oeuvres of Haydn, Mozart, Respighi, and Jose Evangelista. The concert will be conducted by guest conductor Genevieve Leclair and will feature Patrick Bolduc on solo bassoon.
Haydn’s Symphony no. 45, also known as the “Farewell” Symphony, was premiered in 1772 at Prince Nikolaus Esterhazy’s palace in Eszterhaza, Hungary. At the premiere, the musicians followed indications from Haydn in the last movement to leave the stage one by one, snuffing out their candles, until only two violins remained. Theatrics of this sort were rare at the time but Haydn adhered to this technique to deliver an important message to his patron. After an extremely long summer season, Haydn and his musicians were long overdue to return home to their families. However, the Prince had requested they stay longer to perform a new symphony. Haydn composed the “Farewell” symphony with the objective to hint at the Prince that it was time to let the musicians go home. Haydn’s clever idea apparently worked. The next day, the Prince bid his musicians farewell and allowed them to return home to their families.
“The Farewell Symphony is a piece close to my heart and I never tire of conducting it” states guest conductor Genevieve Leclair. “It shows off Haydn, a composer I am extremely fond of, in all his wit, humor and in full mastery of his art.”
The only surviving bassoon concerto by Mozart will be another feature of this concert. Symphony New Brunswick will showcase their very own Patrick Bolduc, SNB’s principal bassoonist, in this virtuosic masterpiece. Even though the bassoon was not a common solo instrument during Mozart’s time, the main thematic material of this concerto was carefully designed for the instrument, showcasing its unique qualities and disguising its limits in power and range.
“It shows off the beautiful tone, the incredible agility and versatility of the instrument” says Leclair. “It’s nothing short of staple of the bassoon repertoire and I am looking forward to accompany Patrick Bolduc.”
The program will continue with the third suite of Respighi’s Ancient Airs and Dances. This suite, written for string orchestra, demonstrates Respighi’s profound love of late Renaissance music. “It is like looking at Renaissance music through a twentieth century kaleidoscope” remarks Leclair.
Finally, Camerata NB will perform a piece by award-winning Canadian composer of Spanish origin, José Evangelista. His style is defined by the influence of his Spanish origins, Balinese gamelan, modal music and Western avant-garde. Spanish Airs is composed of fifteen short movements for string orchestra based on Spanish folk melodies. “I challenge audience members not to dance their way home after this piece!” states Leclair.
Guest conductor Genevieve Leclair says she is excited to be in New Brunswick conducting this program of fine works. “The program as a whole is a real gem” she states. “I look forward to making music with the members of the orchestra and to sharing it with the multiple communities this orchestra belongs to. That is the most important part of what we do!”
Concert details :
October 4 in Woodstock at the Baptist Church at 7:30 pm
October 5 in Dieppe at the Centre des Arts et de la Culture at 2pm
October 5 in Shediac, St Joseph Catholic Church at 7:30 pm
October 6 in Rothesay at Our Lady of Perpetual Help at 2:30pm
Concert tickets are available at the door in each city.
Tickets also available on eventbrite.ca
Or through the Dieppe Arts and Culture Centre for Saturday afternoon (506) 854-2787
