A magical event happened in Armidale last Friday evening (November 21) when a new group of musicians presented a concert in St Mary and Joseph Cathedral.
The Ensemble Apsley (named for a gorge near Armidale and a location in Brisbane) consists of young performers from Armidale, Toowoomba and Brisbane who have studied together at Griffith University’s Queensland Conservatorium or been associated with Conservattoria in their cities of origin.
The program comprised three well-known works: Arcangelo Corelli’s Concerto Grosso Op. 6, no, 4, W.A. Mozart’s Sinfonia Concertante in E flat K. 364 and Josef Haydn’s Symphony no. 45 In f-sharp minor (The Farewell). It was obvious from the beginning that all the players were enjoying the music, as well as the opportunity to present great works in an appropriate setting. The acoustics of the Cathedral proved ideal for this sort of performance.
In spite of limited rehearsal time, the group played as if they had been working together for years. The Corelli piece had a burnished sound that beautifully conveyed the joy the player found in the music. In the Mozart Sinfonia Concertante the standout for me was the deep feeling of the second (Andante) movement, even though the whole work was a delight to hear. And Haydn’s Farewell Symphony neatly reflected the composer’s sense of humour in his attempt to persuade the Esterhazy prince to allow the members of his orchestra to return to Vienna after a long summer on the Esterahazy estate.
In Friday’s performance the players quietly left the performing area during the last movement as their parts indicated they should stop playing.
As an encore piece we heard a Finnish folk-song “Antin Mikko” in a cheerfully tongue-in-cheek arrangement by Pekka Kuusito.
Overall, there was a sustained feeling of sheer joyfulness in the chance to perform such beautiful music with close friends in front of a rapturous audience. This was the first appearance of the Apsley Ensemble, and it is to be hoped there will be many more. This program is also scheduled to be presented in Toowoomba and Brisbane.
In the words of one of the players, Watch out, Australian Chamber Orchestra – there’s a new kid on the block!
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