Virtuosi Tasmania Inc

7th Aug
7th Aug
8th Aug
8th Aug

Meadowbank Estate, Cambridge
The Priory, Bothwell
Hans Vonk Music House, Spreyton
Fitzpatrick's Inn, Westbury

Trout Quintet

The Trout Quintet

The players Andrew Metaxas, Viola; Laura Thomson, Violin; Stephen Martin, Double Bass and Lynette Smith, Piano. Photograph courtesy of 'The Mercury', Hobart.

Schubert's celebrated "Trout" quintet was recently voted number one in the Australian Broadcasting Commission's (ABC) Classic FM Top 100 Chamber Music Survey and will be the featured work in Virtuosi Tasmania's August concerts.

Schubert is perhaps most famous for his Chamber Music and Songs, in fact Schubert's chamber music occupied the first three places in the ABC Classic survey. The Quintet acquired the title because the composer used the melody from his song "The Trout" as the theme for the Air and Variations movement of the work. Vekram Seth's novel "An Equal Music" made the "Trout" even more popular in recent years as the piece is a key part of the book. The Daily Telegraph newspaper proclaimed the book as "The finest novel about music ever written in English".

Franz Schubert (1797–1828)
Piano Quintet in A major, D667 'The Trout'

I Allegro vivace II Andante III Scherzo:Presto IV Theme and Variations:Andantino V Finale:Allegro giusto

In the summer of 1819, the 22 year old Schubert was holidaying with his friend and patron Michael Vogl at Steyr in the Austrian countryside. The story goes that the local iron-master Sylvester Paumgartner, who also happened to be an amateur cellist, suggested a work based on the song Die Forelle (The Trout) which Schubert had composed two years previously.

The resulting A major quintet, a great example of the composer’s lyrical genius, is unusual for a piano quintet in its instrumentation, with a double-bass replacing the second violin of the normal string quartet accompaniment.

The use of Austrian peasant rhythms gives the outer movements a relaxed charm. An andante featuring some surprising harmonic moves and the vigorous scherzo provide contrast. The heart of the piece, though, is the wonderful "Theme and Variations" on that famous song.

The performers

Laura Thomson, Violin; Andrew Metaxas, Viola; Dale Brown, Cello; Stephen Martin, Double Bass; Lynette Smith, Piano

The chamber players at Fitzpatrick's Inn, Westbury.

Franz Schubert (1797–1828)

String Trio in B Flat major, D471

Many of Schubert's works are unfinished like the String Trio in B flat major. This incomplete composition comprises of a first movement and just 39 bars of the second movement. Dispite this, the piece is still popular. Schubert wrote the work at the age 19 and it reflects the influence of the Vienese masters he so much admired.

For more details visit Classical Archives.

The performers

Laura Thompson, Violin; Andrew Metaxas, Viola; Dale Brown, Cello.

The players at Hans Vonk Music House, Spreyton.

3rd July
3rd July
4th July
4th July

Peppermint Bay, Woodbury
Nant Distillery, Bothwell
Devonport Regional Art Gallery
Academy of the Arts, Launceston

Two Horns and Strings

Two Horns and Strings

Felix Mendelssohn (1809–47)
String Quartet No 2 in A minor, Op 13

The string players Rohanna Brown, Laura Thomson, violins; William Newbery, viola and Dale Brown, Cello.

I Adagio – Allegro vivace II Adagio non lento III Intermezzo : Allegretto con moto – Allegro di molto IV Presto – Adagio non lento

This quartet, completed on October 26th 1827, in fact pre-dates No 1 in E flat Op 12 by two years but was not published until 1830. The slow introduction to the opening movement contains a quote from one of Mendelssohn’s songs – Ist es wahr? (Is it True?). While there had been speculation that this quote hints that some youthful love may be an inspiration, it is the spirit of Beethoven that one encounters in the stormy allegro with its carefully crafted sonata form.

The Adagio non lento 2nd movement repeats the quote but also makes reference to a phrase from Beethoven’s String Quartet Op 130 and features a slow fugal middle section clearly modelled on Beethoven’s Op 95 quartet.

The Intermezzo is pure Mendelssohn, though more lyrical and less lively that his more typical scherzos.

The cyclic form of the quartet is satisfyingly rounded off in the concluding movement incorporating references to material from the first two movements.

The performers

Laura Thomson and Rohanna Brown, Violins; William Newbery, Viola; Dale Brown, Cello.

Ludwig van Beethoven (1770-1827)
Sextet for 2 horns and string quartet in E flat major, Op 81b

The horn players Greg Stephens and Wendy Page

I Allegro con brio II Adagio III Rondo Allegro

Written in 1794-5, this early work comes from the period soon after Beethoven had moved to Vienna, but was not published until 1810. Interestingly, it shares the same opus number as the much later Piano Sonata No 26 in E flat Op 81a (Les Adieux), but, unlike that work, Op 81b is rarely heard today. This is a pity because, as you will hear, it is a most enjoyable piece, open and uncomplicated in its structure.

The opening movement is light hearted, with the hunting horn effects of the instruments reminiscent of the chase. The Adagio that follows, while simple in form, is reflective, even serious, giving more of an impression of depth to the work. The final Rondo Allegro, exuberant and robust, brings the piece to a brilliant conclusion.

The performers

Greg Stephens and Wendy Page, Horns; Laura Thomson and Rohanna Brown, Violins; William Newbery, Viola; Dale Brown, Cello

For your enjoyment you can hear the first movement of the Beethoven Sextet for two horns and quartet, filmed at the Devonport Regional Art Gallery, below.

30th Apr
2nd May
2nd May
9th May

Home Hill Winery, Ranelagh
Holy Trinity Church, Cressy
Jessy Vonk, Spreyton
Koonya

String Quartet

String Quartet

Ludwig van Beethoven (1770-1827)
String Quartet No 11 in F minor, Op 95 'Quartetto serioso'

I Allegro con brio II Allegretto ma non troppo III Allegro assai ma serioso – Più allegro IV Larghetto espressivo – Allegro agitato – Allegro

The Quartet comes from 1810, in the latter part of Beethoven's 'middle period', from where the majority of his most popular works derive. With a style at once taut and often violent, it was composed at the same time as his "Egmont' music.

The mood of the quartet, highly intense and disturbed, derives from the aftermath of Beethoven's failed love for Therese Malfatti. In spite of this, a sense of victory permeates final "allegro" of the last movement.

Antonín Dvořàk (1841-1904)
String Quartet No 12 in F major Op 96 'American' B179

I Allegro ma non troppo II Lento III Molto vivace IV Finale. Vivace, ma non troppo

Throughout his adult life, Dvořàk had a fascination for the indigenous music of this own country. It was logical therefore that he should absorb some of the musical culture of the "Red Indian" and "African" races that he encountered during his period in America from 1892 until 1895.

His String Quartet No 12 indeed contains elements derived from those influences, especially rhythmically, and some touches ultilising pentatonic minor scales. However, the overall style remains firmly "Slavonic".

With its wonderful lyricism and exciting rhythms, it deservedly remains one of the composer's most popular and attractive scores. The quartet received its premiere in Boston on 4th January 1894.

The performers

Chris Nicholas, Rohana Brown (violins); Willian Newbery (viola); Ivan James (cello).

Virtuosi at Home Hill Winery Restaurant

Jessie Vonk with Madeleine Dyer.

The concert at Home Hill Winery Restaurant was great. Read Peter Donnelly's review published in the Mercury.

Home Hill is a wonderful venue with welcoming hosts. The changes made to the barrel room make playing there all the more enjoyable. Its a delightful outing to relax with a chamber music concert followed by fine dining with a bottle (or two) of Home Hill Sauvignon Blanc or fine Pinot Noir.

Virtuosi at Spreyton

It was a delight to play in this new venue at Spreyton. Jessie Vonk's vision for her property is exemplary. We felt privileged to play there. Our viola player on his Facebook site said, "Jessie's music studio is brilliant. I hope I get to do more playing there". We share his sentiments. Thank you Jessie for having us there.

Jessie dedicated the opening Beethoven String Quartet to her late husband, conductor Hans Vonk (1942-2004) who felt this piece of Beethoven said all there is to say about the string quartet in the romantic period. Enjoy a snippet from the concert (see below).

Between the Beethoven and the Dvorak quartets, Madeleine Dyer entertained the appreciative audience with a recital of three Chopin waltzes. Thank you Madeleine.

From outside looking into the lounge with the magnificent view enjoyed by the audience at Koonya, reflected from the glass.

Virtuosi at Koonya

This was the third new venue Virtuosi have played at this year. The setting is lovely; a grand venue with the audience enjoying panoramic views beyond the musicians over hills and valleys toward Norfolk Bay. A big thank you to the Foster's opening their home for us to bring quality chamber music to the Tasman Peninsula.

Chris Heyward was there to allow us to sample the delights of the nearby Norfolk Bay Vineyard. Thanks Chris.

We are looking forward to playing there again in 2011.

Beethoven's String Quartet No 11

Enjoy a little of the Allegro con brio from Beethoven's String Quartet No 11 in F minor, Op 95 'Quarteto serioso'. This was from the Virtuosi performance at Jessie Vonk's music studio.

5th Feb
6th Feb
7th Feb
8th Feb

Meadowbank Estate, Cambridge
St Lukes, Richmond
Belmont Vineyard, Pooley Wines
Meadowbank Estate, Cambridge

Baroque Splendor
String Trio
Jazz in the Barn
Romantic Strings

The Coal Valley Chamber Music Festival

The festival will begin with a concert of Baroque music at 7pm on Friday February 5 in the lovely acoustic of Meadowbank Estate, a picturesque vineyard just out of Richmond. The program includes JS Bach's Cantata No 199, featuring the beautiful voice of well-known Tasmanian soprano Jane Edwards, and Vivaldi's dynamic Concerto for Oboe and Strings in F major with soloist David Nuttall, Principal Oboe of the Tasmanian Symphony Orchestra.

The second concert of the festival will take place at 11am on Saturday February 6 in historic St Luke's Church in Richmond village. The Trigon Ensemble will present a program of delightful string trios including Schubert's famous trio in Bb major, a trio by French composer Jean Françaix and Leo Weiner's trio in G minor.

The Trigon Ensemble is also very much a family affair. Violinist Barbara Jane Gilby is well known to Hobart audiences as past concertmaster of the Tasmanian Symphony Orchestra and soloist with the Tasmanian Symphony Chamber Players on their ARIA award-winning recording of Vivaldi's Four Seasons. Barbara Jane is currently concertmaster of the Canberra Symphony Orchestra her sister Janet Rutherford is Principal Viola with the Tasmanian Symphony Orchestra and Janet's husband, Brett Rutherford is also a cellist in the TSO.

The third concert will take place at 11am on Sunday February 7 in the barn of the historic grand house 'Belmont' overlooking Richmond village. This venue is the home of Pooley Wines. Ticket prices for this concert include a light gourmet lunch in the courtyard.

This concert, 'A Tribute to Brubeck', features jazz, which can be considered the chamber music of the 20th century. No group exemplified the intimate chamber music style of jazz more than the Dave Brubeck Quartet. The ensemble will be led by Fred Bradshaw, a great alto sax player in the style of the legendary Paul Desmond, long-time member of the Brubeck Quartet. The other performers in the quartet are Daniel Sulzberger (piano), Steve Martin (bass) and Eric Johnstone (drums).

On Monday February 8 at 7pm the Festival concludes with a concert of great Romantic music for string ensemble at Meadowbank Estate. Considered to be one of the period's finest compositions for strings, Tchaikovsky's 'Serenade for Strings' will be featured, along with the Elgar's beautiful 'Elegy' and the 'Little Suite for Strings' by Scandinavian Romantic master Carl Nielsen.

The performers

Baroque Splendor: Elinor Levy, Rohana Brown, Anthea Hetherington, Laura Thompson (violins); Rodney McDonald (viola); Dale Brown (cello); Stephen Martin (double bass); David Nuttall (oboe); Jane Edwards (soprano).

String Trio players: The Trigon Ensemble.

Jazz in the Barn players: Fred Bradshaw (alto sax); Daniel Sulzberger (piano); Stephen Martin (double bass); Eric Johnstone (drums).

Romantic Strings players: Elinor Levy, Rohana Brown, Anthea Hetherington, Laura Thomson (violins); Rodney McDonald, Anna Larsen (violas); Dale Brown (cello); Stephen Martin (double bass).

And a special treat from Virtuosi

Relax and relive a moment of the Coal Valley Chamber Music Festival Concert held at Pooley's Vineyard this year.