Arts Derbyshire

01.03.2021

Sinfonia Viva Online Performances Showcase County Jewels

Sinfonia Viva, woman playing violin.

Sinfonia Viva, the Grammy-nominated Orchestra of the East Midlands, has recorded a series of 45-minute chamber performances at three iconic Derbyshire venues which will be available online for classic music lovers to enjoy.

Members of the Sinfonia Viva String Quartet, directed by Orchestra leader Sophie Rosa, have recorded their performance in the chapel at Chatsworth House and the beautiful surroundings have inspired an evocative programme of classics.

This includes Purcell’s beautiful example of baroque mastery with the vivid Chacony in G minor. Maddalena Lombardini-Sirmen’s accomplished Quartet no.4 in B flat major and highly evocative piece will also be performed, perfectly capturing the feeling of early classical style.

The performance ends with a stirring rendition of one of Haydn’s most ambitious chamber works Quartet no.2 in D minor op.76 ‘Fifths’, an inspiring and emotionally charged finale to a performance in the most stirring of settings.

Alongside these specially chosen pieces of music, the recording offers an insight into the magnificent artworks and features of the Chatsworth Chapel.

It will premiere online on March 12 2021 at 7pm and will be available to watch on catch up until April 9 2021.

Then, on March 19, Pictures At An Exhibition, which was recorded by the Orchestra’s wind quintet in the atmospheric surrounds of the Joseph Wright gallery at Derby Museum and Art Gallery, will premiere at 7pm and be available until April 16.

Sinfonia Viva, Members rehearsing.

Pictures at an Exhibition by Modest Mussorgsky, was inspired by a visit to an art exhibition of works by Viktor Hartmann and each of the movements represents one of the drawings or artworks in the exhibition.

In this performance, led by principal clarinettist Chris Swann, the Viva musicians move through each movement, drawing out the beauty, intrigue and sense of space of the music and the film will offer insight into the magnificent and internationally recognised artworks exhibited in this dramatic venue.

The third film, which will premiere on March 26 and be available until April 23, will feature Viva’s brass quintet performing a diverse programme from St John’s Church in Buxton.

Led by principal trumpet Anthony Thompson, the performance highlights include the instantly recognisable Water Music by Handel which was premiered on the River Thames for King George I in 1717.

William Rimmer’s Punchinello is a joyous piece of brass music, with the opening bars being some of the most famous in Rimmer’s catalogue and of all brass marches.

Meanwhile Monteverdi’s Toccata from Vespers opens with a flourish of brass, a musical salute with a brilliant, bright and self-assured intensity.

Sophie Rosa explained: “Although we would obviously have loved to have performed this music in front of audiences – we hope that these pre-recorded films will be the next best thing.

“Not only do they feature some simply wonderful music but they also showcase three iconic venues in Derbyshire and will no doubt whet everyone’s the appetite for getting out and about again post lockdown.”

Tickets for each performance cost £6 or £14 for all three.

For more information about the programmes and how to book tickets and watch the online performances, please visit the Sinfonia Viva events page here.

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