25 Sep 2024
Amadeus Chamber Orchestra starts its new season on Saturday September 28 with a concert at 7.30pm in St Peter’s Church.
St Peter’s has had a major refurbishment and the (uncomfortable) pews have gone to be replaced with individual chairs. This will make audiences for concerts feel more relaxed and better able to enjoy the music.
Amadeus is made up of some of the best players in the area and has an enviable reputation for producing high quality performances. The concert is conducted by Simon Thompson, the orchestra’s ‘Conductor Emeritus’, who has led the orchestra for 30 years and is nowadays to be found in the cello section but is returning to the podium for this concert.
They start with Claude Debussy’s Petite Suite. Originally a piano duet because Debussy’s publisher wanted something that would sell, it was later transcribed for orchestra and is a great opener for a concert.
Then Imma Setiadi (pictured), a pianist who has performed extensively as a soloist, including with Amadeus, and as a chamber musician, plays Ravel’s Piano Concerto in G. Ravel said that it was not meant to be profound but to entertain in the style of Mozart and Saint-Saens.
It makes reference to Basque folk music, Spanish melodies and jazz influences.
Amadeus regularly gives a platform to young up-and-coming soloists and the Ravel concerto is an excellent opportunity to show off Imma’s talents.
They then follow this with another of Debussy’s masterpieces – the Prélude à l’après-midi d’un faune – with its famous flute solo. It later became the basis for a ballet by Nijinsky. The concert finishes with the Pulcinella suite by Stravinsky – another ballet, commissioned by the Ballet Russe and choreographed by Diaghilev with costumes and sets by Picasso. It was the first piece Stravinsky wrote in his neoclassical style – old music given modern harmonies and rhythms.
This is a concert full of tuneful and exciting music. Come and hear St Albans’ finest musicians live in a newly restored venue.
Discounted tickets in advance are available from TicketSource and full price tickets can be purchased on the door.
