TSO PRESENTS AUSTRALIAN CHAMBER ORCHESTRA

TSO PRESENTS AUSTRALIAN CHAMBER ORCHESTRA10 March 2020Federation Concert Hall

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AUSTRALIAN CHAMBER ORCHESTRA

PROGRAM

mins BRAHMS Chorale Preludes, Op.122 10 (arr. Angerer) O Gott, du frommer Gott Herzliebster Jesu, was hast du verbrochen? O Welt, ich muss dich lassen

MENDELSSOHN Violin Concerto in E minor, Op.64 25 (arr. Tognetti) I. Allegro molto appassionato II. Andante III. Allegro non troppo – Allegro molto vivace

INTERVAL 20

BEETHOVEN String Quartet in B-flat major, 8 (arr. strings) Op.130: V. Cavatina. Adagio molto espressivo

BRAHMS String Sextet in G major, Op.36 34 (arr. strings) I. Allegro non troppo II. Scherzo: Allegro non troppo III. Adagio IV. Poco Allegro

The concert will last approximately one hour and 45 minutes, including a 20-minute interval.The Australian Chamber Orchestra reserves the right to alter scheduled artists and programs as necessary.

Richard Tognetti Director and ViolinAustralian Chamber Orchestra

COVER PHOTO: JULIAN KINGMA

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Richard Evans Managing Director

Join the conversation #ACO20

After two years’ absence, the ACO is delighted to return to Hobart’s Federation Concert Hall for this performance at the invitation of our friends at the Tasmanian Symphony Orchestra.

2020 marks an important anniversary for our Orchestra as we celebrate Richard Tognetti’s 30th year as Artistic Director. Over the past 30 years of Richard’s leadership the ACO has undertaken thousands of performances and residencies across Australia and the world in the quest for new musical adventures and collaborations. We are very pleased to have the opportunity once again to perform for audiences in Tasmania, and look forward to new opportunities ahead.

In tonight’s performance Richard will lead the Orchestra through a sparkling program featuring music by Brahms and Beethoven, and Mendelssohn’s glorious Violin Concerto - one of the most beloved pieces of nineteenth century repertoire.

Thank you for joining us this evening; I hope you enjoy the performance.

WELCOME

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AUSTRALIAN CHAMBER ORCHESTRA PHOTO: JULIAN KINGMA

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AUSTRALIAN CHAMBER ORCHESTRA PHOTO: JULIAN KINGMA

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Johannes Brahms(1833–1897)

Chorale Preludes, Op.122 Arranged by Paul Angerer

O Gott, du frommer Gott (O God, you Benevolent God)

Herzliebster Jesu, was hast du verbrochen? (Beloved Jesus, how have you offended?)

O Welt, ich muss dich lassen (O world, I must leave thee)

In 1896, Brahms was entering into his 60s and starting to lose those dearest to him, including his closest friend and supporter Clara Schumann. Grappling with mortality, he began composing organ music for the first time in nearly 40 years, returning to his German Protestant roots and the early polyphony that fascinated him for much of his life.

The Eleven Chorale Preludes, Op.122 are Brahms’s final completed work, published posthumously in 1902. In each prelude Brahms takes a Protestant chorale hymn and elaborates on it over the course of several minutes. They range from intense and moving to contemplative and soul searching, and it is no accident that the final piece in the set, containing the last music Brahms’s ever wrote, is a fantasia on the chorale “O World, I must leave thee”.

PROGRAM IN SHORTYour five-minute read before lights down.

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Felix Mendelssohn(1809–1847)

Violin Concerto in E minor, Op.64 Arranged by Richard Tognetti

In 1826, two young musicians met in Berlin: Felix Mendelssohn and Ferdinand David. The 16-year-old Mendelssohn had already composed 12 symphonies for strings and five concertos, including one for violin in D minor. Ferdinand David, also 16, was a gifted violinist who, 10 years later, would become leader of Leipzig’s Gewandhaus Orchestra on Mendelssohn’s invitation.

Mendelssohn intended to compose a new violin concerto for his friend. He wrote to David: “One in E minor keeps running through my head, and the opening gives me no peace.” The new concerto was premiered by David in 1845, and subsequently picked up by the celebrated virtuoso Joseph Joachim, who helped turn it into one of Mendelssohn’s most popular works.

The violin launches into a passionate solo right from the start, foregoing the customary orchestral introduction. In a moment of genius, Mendelssohn places the violin cadenza before the recapitulation of the movement, not before the end, making it part of the movement’s dramatic structure. A long note holds the music in suspense before moving into one of Mendelssohn’s sweetest song melodies, segueing into a spritely finale of lightness and grace.

Joachim later wrote, “The Germans have four violin concertos. The greatest, most uncompromising is Beethoven’s. The one by Brahms vies with it in seriousness. The richest, the most seductive, was written by Max Bruch. But the most inward, the heart’s jewel, is Mendelssohn’s.”

‘The violin launches into a passionate solo right from the start, foregoing the customary orchestral introduction.’

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Ludwig van Beethoven (1770–1827)

String Quartet in B-flat major, Op.130: V. Cavatina. Adagio molto espressivo Arranged for string orchestra

Beethoven’s late quartets rested in almost total obscurity for decades after their completion. Their sheer technical difficulties and ambitious designs earned them a reputation as the incomprehensible, aberrant and disjointed finales of a man whose genius had taken him beyond his listeners’ capabilities. Just take the original finale of this Op.130 quartet – a massive fugue that comes in at just under 20 minutes, and had to be replaced for easier public consumption.

But preceding the gargantuan madness of the Grosse fuge is a Cavatina of such divine serenity, repose and affecting tenderness that it has, unashamedly, become a staple of ACO concerts for many years. According to a famous account by the violinist Karl Holz, this movement “cost the composer tears in the writing and brought out the confession that nothing that he had written had so moved him.”

‘Preceding the gargantuan madness of the Grosse fuge is a Cavatina of such divine serenity, repose and affecting tenderness that it has, unashamedly, become a staple of ACO concerts for many years.’


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Johannes Brahms

String Sextet in G major, Op.36 Arranged for string orchestra

Looking back, Johannes Brahms might be likened to a hopeless commitment-phobe, continually running back to the safety of his friendship with Clara Schumann, his bachelorhood “almost a social scandal”. But Brahms was, for a short time, engaged to be married to one Agathe von Siebold. His usual reservations got the better of him, and he wrote to her: “I love you, I must see you again, but I cannot be bound”. The marriage was off.

Agathe married someone else, but Brahms didn’t move on so quickly. Six years after they parted he confided to a friend that he had ‘finally said goodbye’ in his second string sextet. One finds the letters AGATHE spelt out in the music: A-G-A-[no T, although there is a similar-sounding letter D in another part]-H [B in English musical notation]-E. This motto appears repeatedly throughout the work, passionately, and often underpinned by an unusually harmonised sighing motif.

Late in life, Agathe recalled her relationship with Brahms: “from that time until the present, a golden light has been cast on my life, and that even now, in my late old age, something of the radiance of that unforgettable time has remained. I loved Johannes Brahms very much, and for a short time, he loved me.” We will never know if Agathe was aware she had been immortalised in this sextet.

‘Agathe married someone else, but Brahms didn’t move on so quickly. Six years after they parted he confided to a friend that he had ‘finally said goodbye’ in his second string sextet’

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MUSICIANS

ACO musicians on stage for this performance.

Richard Tognetti Director and Violin

Chair sponsored by Wendy Edwards, Peter & Ruth McMullin, Louise Myer & Martyn Myer ao, Andrew & Andrea Roberts. Richard is dressed by Ermenegildo Zegna.

Satu Vänskä Principal Violin

Chair sponsored by David Thomas am.

Mark Ingwersen Violin

Chair sponsored by Prof Judyth Sachs & Julie Steiner.

Liisa Pallandi Violin

Chair sponsored by The Melbourne Medical Syndicate.

Glenn Christensen Violin

Chair sponsored by Terry Campbell ao & Christine Campbell.

Ilya Isakovich Violin

Chair sponsored by Meg & Campbell Meldrum.

Helena Rathbone Principal Violin

Chair sponsored by Kate & Daryl Dixon.

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MUSICIANS

Ike SeeViolin

Chair sponsored by Di Jameson.

Maxime Bibeau Principal Bass

Chair sponsored by Darin Cooper Foundation.

Melissa Barnard Cello

Chair sponsored by Dr & Mrs J Wenderoth.

Stefanie FarrandsPrincipal Viola

Chair sponsored by peckvonhartel architects.

Maja Savnik Violin

Chair sponsored by Alenka Tindale.

Elizabeth Woolnough Viola

Chair sponsored by Philip Bacon AM.

Julian ThompsonCello

Chair sponsored by The Grist & Stewart Families.

Timo-Veikko ValvePrincipal Cello

Chair sponsored by Peter Weiss aO.

Nicole Divall Viola

Chair sponsored by Ian Lansdown.

Thibaud Pavlovic-Hobba Violin

Discover more

Learn more about our musicians, watch us Live in the Studio, go behind-the-scenes and listen to playlists at:

aco.com.au

Caroline HenbestViola

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“The Australian Chamber Orchestra is uniformly high-octane, arresting and never ordinary.”

– The Australian

The Australian Chamber Orchestra lives and breathes music, making waves around the world for its explosive performances and brave interpretations. Steeped in history but always looking to the future, ACO programs embrace celebrated classics alongside new commissions, and adventurous cross-artform collaborations. Led by Artistic Director Richard Tognetti since 1990, the ACO performs more than 100 concerts each year. Whether performing in Manhattan, New York, or Wollongong, NSW, the ACO is unwavering in its commitment to creating transformative musical experiences. The Orchestra regularly collaborates with artists and musicians who share its ideology, from instrumentalists, to vocalists, to cabaret performers, to visual artists and film makers. In addition to its national and international touring schedule, the Orchestra has an active recording program across CD, vinyl and digital formats. Recent releases include Water | Night Music, the first Australian-produced classical vinyl for two decades, Beethoven, a collection of the ACO’s legendary Beethoven recordings, and the soundtrack to the acclaimed cinematic collaboration, Mountain.

aco.com.au

THE ACO


ACO Medici Program

MEDICI PATRONThe late Amina Belgiorno-Nettis

PRINCIPAL CHAIRSRichard Tognetti ao Artistic Director & Lead ViolinWendy EdwardsPeter & Ruth McMullinLouise Myer & Martyn Myer aoAndrew & Andrea Roberts

Helena Rathbone Principal ViolinKate & Daryl Dixon

Satu Vänskä Principal ViolinDavid Thomas am

Stefanie FarrandsPrincipal Violapeckvonhartel architects – Robert Peck am Yvonne von Hartel am Rachel Peck & Marten Peck

Timo-Veikko Valve Principal CelloPeter Weiss ao

Maxime Bibeau Principal Double BassDarin Cooper Foundation

CORE CHAIRS

Violin

Glenn ChristensenTerry Campbell ao & Christine Campbell

Aiko GotoAnthony & Sharon Lee Foundation

Mark IngwersenProf Judyth Sachs & Julie Steiner

Ilya IsakovichMeg Meldrum

Liisa PallandiThe Melbourne Medical Syndicate

Maja SavnikAlenka Tindale

Ike SeeDi Jameson

Viola

Nicole DivallIan Lansdown

Elizabeth WoolnoughPhilip Bacon am

Cello

Melissa BarnardDr & Mrs J Wenderoth

Julian ThompsonThe Grist & Stewart Families

GUEST CHAIRSBrian NixonPrincipal TimpaniMr Robert Albert ao & Mrs Libby Albert

ACKNOWLEDGEMENTSThe ACO thanks the following people for supporting the Orchestra.

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National Patrons’ Program

Thank you to all the generous donors who contribute to our Learning & Engagement, Excellence, Instruments, International and Regional Touring and Commissioning programs. We are extremely grateful for the support we receive to maintain these annual programs.

To discuss making a donation to the ACO, or if you would like to direct your support in other ways, please contact Jill Colvin, Director of Philanthropy, on (02) 8274 3835.

Program names as at 10 February 2020

PATRONSMark Besen ac & Eva Besen aoJanet Holmes à Court ac

$20,000+Australian Communities Foundation - Ballandry (Peter Griffin Family Fund) Stephen & Jenny Charles Glenn & Caroline Crane Judy Crawford Euroz Charitable Foundation Daniel & Helen Gauchat The Charles & Cornelia Goode FoundationLauna Inman Professor Doug Jones ao & Professor Janet WalkerAndrew Low Alasdair & Prudence MacLeodPatricia Mason & Paul WalkerPeter & Ruth McMullin Jim & Averill Minto Louise & Martyn Myer Foundation James Ostroburski & Leo Ostroburski Rosy Seaton & Seumas Dawes Servcorp Tony Shepherd aoLang Walker ao & Sue WalkerE Xipell Peter Yates am & Susan Yates Peter Young am & Susan Young Anonymous (2)

$10,000–$19,999 Robert Albert ao & Libby Albert Geoff Alder Karen Allen & Dr Rich Allen Walter Barda & Thomas O’Neill Steven Bardy & Andrew Patterson Michelle Belgiorno-Nettis Rosemary Block Eva and Tom Breuer Foundation Rod Cameron & Margaret Gibbs In memory of Wilma CollieMichael & Barbara Coombes Eureka Benevolent Foundation – Belinda Hutchinson am & Roger Massy-Green The Finkel Foundation Dr Ian Frazer ac & Mrs Caroline Frazer Leslie & Ginny Green John Griffiths & Beth Jackson John Grill ao & Rosie Williams Tony & Michelle Grist Liz Harbison I Kallinikos Craig & Connie Kimberley Miss Nancy Kimpton Wayne KratzmannIrina Kuzminsky & Mark Delaney Anthony & Sharon Lee Foundation Liz & Walter Lewin David & Sandy LiblingAnthony & Suzanne Maple-Brown Janet Matton am & Robin Rowe Sandra Plowman Angela RobertsSusan & Garry Rothwell Ryan Cooper Family Foundation Margie Seale & David Hardy Jon & Caro Stewart Anthony Strachan Susan Thacore Leslie C Thiess Turnbull Foundation Allan Vidor am Shemara Wikramanayake Cameron Williams Nick & Libby Wright Anonymous (2)

Regional Touring PartyStephen ByrneMark CopplesonJudy CrawfordJennifer Darin & Dennis CooperCamilla Drover & David MathlinRos Espie & Paul Espie aoAnita GeorgeColin Golvan am qc & Deborah GolvanTom Goudkamp oam & Julie GoudkampAndrew LowJulianne MaxwellPaddy McCruddenHelen TelferSophie Thomas

ACO PARTNERSWe thank our Partners for their generous support.

GOVERNMENT PARTNERS

UNIVERSITY PARTNERPRINCIPAL PARTNER: ACO COLLECTIVE

MAJOR PARTNERS

SUPPORTING PARTNERS

MEDIA PARTNERS

LEARNING & ENGAGEMENT PARTNERS

VENUE SUPPORT

Holmes à Court Family Foundation The Ross Trust

NATIONAL TOUR PARTNERS


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TSO PRESENTS AUSTRALIAN CHAMBER ORCHESTRA

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