Month: July 2015

Explore the music and composers represented on our concert

Published on by amicistringsLeave a comment

The Carl Nielsen Society is based in Copenhagen, Denmark. The society’s official websiteamici 3 is accessible in English, and on it, you can find a detailed biography, photo gallery, a complete list of compositions and recordings, performances around the world, and links to related subject of interest: Carl Nielsen Society

The Elgar Society is Britain’s largest composer society. The current society President is Julian Lloyd-Webber, cellist, and brother of Andrew Lloyd-Webber, composer of “Phantom of the Opera” and other musicals. Membership is free. Elgar Society

Another website, with links to the Elgar Society, but organized in a possibly more useful layout for American audiences is here: Elgar.org

Antonio Vivaldi is a name so well recognized that he is now the namesake of a recently launched web browser. His “Four Seasons” seems to become more popular every year. The composer’s catalog would take a lifetime of listening or performing before reaching its end. The Saint Paul (MN) Chamber Orchestra has a free listening library on its website. Compositions by “The Red Priest” can be found here: Saint Paul Chamber Orchestra Listening Library

Warlock for Strings

Published on by amicistringsLeave a comment

Peter Warlock is the pseudonym Philip Heseltine used on his musical compositions. He was an English journalist, music critic and composer in the early part of the 20th century. Though his list of completed musical compositions is small, “Capriol” is one of the most often performed pieces in the string orchestra repertoire. It reflects the composer’s interest in Elizabethan music, as the suite is a selection of dance melodies from that period in 20th century clothing. Come hear “Capriol” on the August 7 program.

Performed by the Norwegian Chamber Orchestra (2012).                       Conductor: Henning Kraggerud.

Carl Nielsen: A Great Dane

Published on by amicistringsLeave a comment

We celebrate the 150th anniversary of the birth of Denmark’s greatest composer by closing our August 7th concert with his earliest published piece, the “Little Suite for Strings”. First performed in 1888, when the composer was only 22, the piece was a great success for the young composer. While it does not have the voice that was to develop into the great symphonist of the early 20th Century, the charming Intermezzo does show Nielsen’s early fondness for triple time, which was to become a signature characteristic of his later music.

Performed here by the Orquesta Ciudad de Orihuela (OCO) in 2012.       Conductor: Sixto M. Herrero Rodes.

Press Release

Published on by amicistringsLeave a comment

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Friendly Ensemble to Bring String Music to Wayne This August

WAYNE, PA, July 16, 2015—In a summer bursting with pops concerts and fireworks, a group of string musicians offers a unique addition to the Main Line music scene. Amici Strings, a new ensemble of 23 local musicians, will have its first concert at Wayne United Methodist Church on Friday, August 7, at 7:30 p.m. The free concert will include the Concerto for Strings in c minor by Vivaldi, Elgar’s romantic Serenade, Dag Wiren’s sprightly March, and the Capriol Suite by the elusive Peter Warlock. Carl Nielsen’s Little Suite for String Orchestra will close the evening. Conductor Stuard Young calls Nielsen’s piece, “the most important Opus 1 I know. The young composer burst upon the Danish music scene with a piece of such richness and strength that once known, the melodies cannot be forgotten.”

The musicians selected the Italian name to reflect their fondness for Vivaldi and to celebrate the meaning of the word: “amici” means “friends.” “I have many talented friends who play string instruments,” says Amici’s founder, Alice Pavri, “I wanted to bring a group together to play string repertoire we don’t often get to play in our symphonic orchestras.” Pavri has a knack for bringing people together; she is also the co-creator of the Providence Chamber Orchestra (est. 1998) and the director of the Phoenxiville Phiddlesticks, a children’s group. Pavri has been teaching violin, viola, and piano in Kimberton for 20 years.

amici greg

Like Pavri, many Amici members are local string teachers. “It’s important for kids to
see that music can remain a vital part of their lives even after they leave school,” claims bass player and Phoenixville district teacher, Joe Klapper. Leigh Schoepflin, who also teaches in Phoenixville, praises the challenge of the repertoire, noting that string music provides variety in the viola part often absent in larger orchestral works. With a small ensemble like this one, it is easy for children and adults alike to hear how every musician contributes to the sound, and how happy they are to be playing together.

imageSummer ensembles have a special kind of energy. Young is the Assistant Conductor of the Main Line Symphony Orchestra, and a retired Radnor Township School District music teacher. He agreed to conduct the string ensemble because, “despite my many years as a career director of bands, the sound of massed strings remains my greatest musical love. This fine, dedicated group of musicians is thrilled to make its debut in downtown Wayne with this special concert of music both beautiful and exciting.”

The concert will be followed by a “friendly” reception.

For more information about Amici Strings, visit our Facebook page:

About Wayne United Methodist Church

Wayne United Methodist Church is located at 210 S. Wayne Ave, in the heart of downtown Wayne, and remains an active part of the community. The Church is currently celebrating its 125th anniversary with a year-long schedule of special events. Click here for more information about events and ministries: WayneUMC.

Elgar: Larghetto from Serenade for strings

Published on by amicistringsLeave a comment

elgra

Sir Edward Elgar, the most English of English composers, wrote several pieces for string orchestra. His early “Serenade in E Minor, Op. 20” is one of his most elegant, gentle, noble and beautiful creations, as this second movement of three attests.

The Swedish national string orchestra plays “Larghetto” from Edvar Elgar’s “Serenade for strings in E minor” op.20. Live recording from Lund cathedral, July 3rd, 2009. Conductor: Berth Nilsson.

Amici Strings will perform Elgar’s Serenade on the August 7, 2015 program.