The Isle of Wight Symphony Orchestra will welcome Ukrainian clarinettist Dmytro Fonariuk to perform works by Rossini and Weber at their concert on Saturday 18th May.
Dmytro studied at the Tchaikovsky National Music Academy of Ukraine and achieved notable success in competitions. More recently, he has studied at London’s Royal Academy of Music on the Masters’ degree performing course. Dmytro surely has a glittering career ahead of him.
Rossini’s ‘Introduction, Theme and Variations’
Rossini’s ‘Introduction, Theme and Variations’ is a Classical delicacy, requiring abundant dexterity on the part of the soloist and polished refinement from the orchestra.
It is a delight from start to finish, demonstrating the luminous tone and technical pyrotechnics of which the clarinet is capable. Weber’s ‘Concertino in Eb’ seems a darker work, reminiscent of Beethoven. It allows the soloist the opportunity to explore a wider emotional palette.
Rimsky-Korsakov
Mussorgsky wrote his dramatic tone poem ‘A Night on Bare Mountain’ in the 1860s but it didn’t receive a performance until 1886, in a new version by fellow composer Rimsky-Korsakov.
It’s a terrific whirlwind of a piece, depicting a terrifying witches’ sabbath. It’s truly spectacular at times. Listeners of a certain vintage will remember Mussorgsky’s music ‘breaking the sound barrier’ in an advert for Maxell tapes in the 1980s.
Isle of Wight premiere
Anthony Hedges’ ‘Scenes from the Humber’ will receive its Isle of Wight premiere. It’s possible that the location-specific title has limited performances since its creation in 1980 but this is music of the highest quality.
The work reflects the composer’s interest in the region past and present, depicting a variety of elements that include a paddle steamer and a marching Roman patrol crossing the Humber two thousand years ago.
Borodin’s Symphony No.2
Completing the programme is Borodin’s Symphony No.2. Borodin was a doctor and chemist by profession, only composing in his spare time. Despite this, he became one of the prominent composers known as ‘The Mighty Handful’.
The Symphony No.2 is fluently written, full of drama and rich with the echoes of Russian folk song and dance.
Book now
The evening begins at 7.15pm and the orchestra is delighted to be supporting The Wight Brainy Bunch at all of its concerts this season.
Sponsorship from Wightlink is invaluable in helping the orchestra maintain the high quality of their concerts from year to year.
Book your seats via Medina Theatre website.
News shared by Gareth on behalf of Isle of Wight Symphony Orchestra. Ed
