Salomon past concerts - 19th February 2002 Conductor John Gibbons

Walton Partita

William Walton's Partita was first performed by the Cleveland Orchestra on 30th January 1958. The work is in three movements: I Toccata/Brioso; II. Pastorale siciliana/Andante comodo; III. Giga burlesca/Allegro gioviale.

Ravel Shéhérazade Soloist Fiona Kimm*

The sensuous Scheherazade consists of three songs to text by Tristan Klingsor (real name Arthur Justin Léon Leclère). 'Asie', 'La Flûte Enchantée' and L'Indifferent' were first performed in 1904.

Mahler Lieder eines fahrenden Gesellen Soloist Fiona Kimm*

Considered as Mahler's first masterpiece, 'Songs of a Wayfarer' consists of four songs with the full orchestra used with clarity rather than weight.

Hindemith Mathis der Maler Symphony

Picture: from Matthias Grünewald's the Temptation of Saint Anthony

Completed in 1934 before the opera to his own libretto on the dilemma of the artist in the Peasant's Revolt of 1524-25, the symphony's three movements represent panels of the Isenheim altarpiece of Matthias Grünewald (born Mathis Gothart Niethart, c.1460-1528).

According to Hindemith, Grünewald "speaks to us still today through his art with uncanny intensity and warmth", and the symphony contains some of his most noble and radiant music.

I. Engelconzert begins with music based on a German folk song Es sungen drei Engel ein'n süßen Gesang (Three Angels Sang a Sweet Song - firstly played by the three trombones).

II. Grablegung (Entombment) is an interlude in the opera's final scene as a prayer for the soul of Regina (daughter of rebel peasant leader Schwalb), and at the close a prayer for Mathis.

III. 'The Temptation of Saint Anthony' speeds towards the close incorporating a Gregorian chant 'Lauda Sion Salvatorem', ending with exhilarating 'Alleluias' for the full brass section.

*We are sorry that Jean Rigby has had to withdraw whilst overcoming a virus, however we are delighted that Fiona Kimm has agreed to take her place for this concert.

©Salomon Orchestra

2006

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