Australian Chamber Orchestra: Embark on European Tour, Start Blogging

The Australian Chamber Orchestra are about to embark on a European tour. The internationally respected ensemble under the direction of charismatic Richard Tognetti will play a total of ten concerts, starting in Austria on 14th April and finishing in Luxembourg’s Grand Auditorium on the 27th. One of the interesting aspects of their tour is the constantly changing repertoire on each night: While Händel’s “Concerto Grosso Op.6, No.10”, Haydn’s “Symphony No.64 Tempora Mutantur”, Bach’s “Cantata No.82 'Ich habe genug'” as well as Roger Smalley’s “Strung Out” – a piece of living Australian composition, evolving from a single held not, and originally in a version for 13 strings – will be performed on several occasions, they will constantly be shuffled and juxtaposed with other pieces. On top of that, the Australian Chamber Orchestra have invited a string of constantly changing guests soloists to join their performances: In Regensburg, Dresden and Luxembourg, Cellist Sol Gabetta will join in, while Tenor Mark Padmore will feature in the London event. The undoubted highlight, however, will be the collaboration of the Australian Chamber Orchestra will legendary violinist and UNESCO Goodwill Ambassador Ivry Gitlis in Gitlis’ current hometown Paris.

For anyone interested in following the Australian Chamber Orchestra’s progress on their way through Europe, the ensemble invites fans and foes alike to their freshly founded blog. Instead of just serving as another addendum to their excellent website, it has been intended as a platform for all of its members to vent their opinions and share their thoughts on topics ranging from “the famous, prolific, ethically dubious and undeniably brilliant conductor” that was Herbert von Karajan to (hear, hear!) Radiohead’s social network “W.A.S.T.E. CENTRAL”. One of the recent posts called “IN THE (NEW MUSIC) GHETTO”, which dealt with the dangers of outsourcing contemporary composition from classical programs into their own small-scale festivals, has already sparked a swift reply from the Sydney Symphony.

If you want to catch the Australian Chamber Orchestra on one of their recent live dates, here is the complete schedule for their European tour:

GRAZ, Austria
Monday 14 April
Works by Handel, Bach, Haydn, Rameau and Ravel
Stefaniensaal, Congress Graz
www.grazercongress.at

MARIBOR, Slovenia
Tuesday 15 April
with Mark Padmore, Tenor
Works by Handel, Bach, Smalley and Ravel
Union Hall, Maribor
www.nd-mb.si

LJUBLJANA, Slovenia
Wednesday 16 April
with Mark Padmore, Tenor
Works by Handel, Bach, Smalley and Ravel
Gallus Hall, Kankarjev Dom
www.cd-cc.si

REGENSBURG, Germany
Friday 18 April
with Sol Gabetta, Cello
Works by Handel, Bach, Haydn and Pärt
Audimax der Universität Regensburg

DRESDEN, Germany
Saturday 19 April
with Sol Gabetta, Cello
Works by Handel, Bach, Haydn and Pärt
Frauenkirche Dresden
www.frauenkirche-dresden.de

VIENNA, Austria
Sunday 20 April
Works by Rameau, Haydn, Smalley and Ravel
Grosser Saal, Musikverein Wein
www.musikverein.at

LONDON, England
Monday 21 April
With Mark Padmore, Tenor
Works by Handel, Bach, Smalley and Haydn
Wigmore Hall
www.wigmore-hall.org.uk

GLASGOW, Scotland
Wednesday 23 April
With Mark Padmore, Tenor
Works by Handel, Bach, Smalley and Ravel
Grand Hall, Glasgow City Halls
www.glasgowconcerthalls.com

PARIS, France
Friday 25 April
With Ivry Gitlis, Violin
Works by Rameau, Saint-Saëns, Franck and Ravel
Auditorium, Musée d'Orsay

LUXEMBOURG
Sunday 27 April
With Sol Gabetta, Cello
Works by Haydn and Ravel
Grand Auditorium, Luxembourg Philharmonie
www.philharmonie.lu

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