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sinfonia ViVA ensemble with Dame Ann Murray

Sunday 12th July 2009 at 3.00pm
St. John's Church, Buxton
Tickets: £16 on general sale from 3rd April
Contact Box Office on 0845 1272 190 for details

Dame Ann Murray - Mezzo Soprano, photo by Sian Trenberth

Making a welcome return to sinfonia ViVA and the Buxton Festival, mezzo-soprano Dame Ann Murray joins a sinfonia ViVA ensemble directed by Benedict Holland for this intriguing and emotive programme of classics.

Stravinsky's The Soldier's Tale was premiered in 1918, and in reflection of the times (and shortage of performers created by the First World War), was composed for a small number of players and actors. The Suite being performed today is an abridged vesion of the whole piece, without narration. Mahler's Kindertotenlieder ('songs on the death of children') is based upon a series of poems by Ruckert which were written as a result of the death of two of his children within a short period of time. Ironically, Mahler himself was to lose a child shortly after completing the work. The arrangement by Tarkmann is that being performed today. Brahms' Serenade No.1 in D dates from 1857 and, though he reworked it for full orchestra 2 years later, is being performed today in its original, gentler nonet version as arranged by Boustead.

ViVA's Benedict Holland says: "I am looking forward with real excitement to this year's visit to Buxton by sinfonia ViVA in which we perform three fine works by three great composers. The concert opens with the suite from L'histoire du Soldat by Stravinsky - a witty and colourful score, featuring moi as the violin-playing devil! We follow this with with the late romanticism of Mahler's Kindertotenlieder, in an ingenious arrangement by Tarkmann. These hauntingly beautiful songs will be sung by our old friend, the renowned Mezzo Soprano Ann Murray. We finish with Brahms' Serenade No.1 in D (interestingly, originally conceived by Brahms for small ensemble), and I am hoping this genial and summery work will lead us from the calm and elegant surroundings of St John's Church into brilliant sunshine without!"

Visit the Buxton Festival website for more details of the Festival.

Supported by Rolls-Royce plc and Arts Council England