Accent on Youth Summer concert featuring flautist Jessica Carr
Hear the seldom performed orchestrated version of the Poulenc Flute Sonata, and Mozart's Andante for Flute and Orchestra plus Mendelssohn's evergreen Italian Symphony and two of Piazzolla's Tangos arranged by the conductor Robin McEwan.
Sheffield Chamber Orchestra are delighted that flautist Jessica Carr is joining them for their “Accent on Youth” Summer concert. Jessica, a Sheffield lass, formerly the principle flute with the City of Sheffield Youth Orchestra, is now studying at the Royal Northern College of Music in Manchester with Kevin Gowland.
The concert not only features the flute, but it also has a distinctly Latin theme. It opens with Schubert’s Overture in the Italian style. Hoping to gain an operatic commission from Viennese theatres, Schubert — a fan of Rossini — composed two overtures that he intended to evoke Rossini’s world. Tonight Sheffield Chamber Orchestra are playing the first, in D major. See if you can spot his jolly melody with dotted rhythms that calls Rossini to mind, as well as one of those famous slow-building, repetitive “Rossini crescendos”. The overture is a Schubert classic.
Jessica Carr will then come to the stage to perform Poulenc’s ‘Sonate pour flûte et piano’ orchestrated by Lennox Berkeley. The piece was an immediate success and has become one of his best-known works, as well as being a prominent feature in 20th-century flute repertoire. Poulenc provides us with an elegiac first movement; then a haunting cantilena for the soloist; followed by a skittish, sardonic and vivacious finale to close.
Next, Jessica will perform Mozart’s Andante for Flute and Orchestra in C. This delightful piece is lightly orchestrated for strings, two oboes, and two horns so that the focus is fully on the flute. Come and hear the talented young soloist display the beautiful lyrical, tuneful qualities of the flute in this lovely short masterpiece.
After the break we return to the Italian theme. Mendelssohn headed across the Alps in the summer of 1830 visiting Venice, Florence, Naples, Milan, and then returning again to Rome — a trip that inspired this his 4th “Italian” symphony. Whilst some have questioned its “Italian-ness” the opening Allegro vivace positively shimmers with excitement and is instantly recognisable. A chorale-like second movement and an elegant Con moto moderato follow before Mendelssohn presents us an energetic Saltarello — showcasing this enchanting Italian dance. What a fitting way to conclude a celebration of the land known as “Bel Paese”!
To conclude the concert we switch to the Argentine, the Tango, and modern times with two pieces by Astor Piazzolla. The first, Adios Nonino (‘Farewell Granddaddy’) from 1959 has been used several times in figure skating competitions; and the second, Libertango from 1974, is perhaps best known from a car advert! Come and hear why these are both so popular.
Prices
General admission £12; Reduced (students, unwaged) £6