Vaughan Williams Fantasia on a Theme by Thomas Tallis
Rodrigo Concierto de Aranjuez
Anthony Ritchie Symphony No. 5 ‘Childhood’
Kenneth Young - Conductor
Steve Cowan - Guitar
Vaughan Williams borrowed a theme from his great 16th-century English forebear, Thomas Tallis, and expanded it into a sumptuous, richly-textured fantasia for double string orchestra and solo string quartet.
The piece is noted for the resonant shimmering tone of its multi-voiced string ensemble and its fluid, interwoven themes.
Probably the most famous concerto for guitar, this neoclassical evocation of courtly life is also an evocation of the happy days of Rodrigo’s honeymoon (particularly the slow movement’s haunting tune) - reminiscent of when the newlywed couple walked together in the park at Aranjuez. Steve Cowan, described as “one of Canada’s top contemporary classical guitarists”, will feature as the soloist in this nostalgic work.
Symphony No. 5 “Childhood” was recorded by Kenneth Young and the Christchurch Symphony Orchestra in the Christchurch Town Hall in June 2020. Anthony Ritchie describes his composition as “an optimistic work that uses childhood as a metaphor for renewed hope and optimism for the future”.
Start time
June 11, 2022 7:30PM
Location
Douglas Lilburn Auditorium, Christchurch Town Hall
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