DISCOVERING MOZART’S ‘LITANIAE LAURETANAE’
17 April 2022
MICHAEL HAYDN’S ‘LAUDATE PUERI’
16 May 2022
CONCERTMASTER FOR 'AUSTRIAN ENCOUNTERS' RACHAEL BEESLEY
Rachael, you’re one of the Co-Artistic Directors of the Australian Romantic & Classical Orchestra. What are you most looking forward to about this collaboration with the Australian Boys Choir?
Working with young musicians always gives us hope for the future, and with such an outstanding choir based in Melbourne, this is a brilliant opportunity for the Australian Romantic & Classical Orchestra to collaborate on this program. We always enjoy working with singers and this wonderful lineup of soloists will be a joyful occasion.The program features works by Mozart, as well as the Haydn brothers. What do you like most about this music?
With such creative programming by conductor Nicholas Dinopoulos, we were thrilled to be invited to join forces as one of our fundamental goals as an orchestra is to explore lesser known repertoire, either by composers who are not performed often or works that are not in the canon. Performing an Australian premiere in this program with the Australian Boys Choir and The Vocal Consort with Michael Haydn’s Litaniae Lauretanae is therefore a great opportunity to bring this music back to life. Mozart’s Litaniae Lauretanae in B flat major, K.109 and Missa Brevis in C major, K.220 (Spatzenmesse) together with Joseph Haydn’s Missa Brevis 'Sancti Joannis de Deo' will enable our dedication into the research and performance of Classical music to come to life by rediscovering their full expressive potential.The Australian Romantic & Classical Orchestra will be playing period instruments for these performances. Why is that so special?
The colours and textures a period instrument orchestra creates, draws the harmonic, rhythmic and rhetorical gestures from the music with clarity and spontaneity, quite unlike the homogenous sound of a modern symphony orchestra. This also creates a natural balance with the sound of the boys’ voices and allows the declamation of the text to be central to the performance.Tell us a bit about your journey with the violin.
The violin was always my instrument of choice, even though I play so many different types of violins from each period of music. The violin is my voice and the music for the violin is endlessly fascinating and challenging!! A curious and open mind has otherwise kept me going during times when I needed to explore new techniques, methods, concepts and ideas - which is inevitably an ongoing journey.What does a concertmaster actually do in an orchestra?
Depending on whether there is a conductor or not, the concertmaster is the leader of the orchestra or ensemble and works to bring the vision of the music alive through clear direction during rehearsals and during the performances. Maintaining a positive and nurturing attitude during rehearsals also enables everyone to focus fully on the music. The concertmaster can also offer ways for the musicians to discover and learn new ways to approach music by sharing our passion for Historically Informed Performance and employing the latest research. The concertmaster’s role often extends to liaising with soloists and concert organisers to make sure the orchestra has a good setup in each venue and that the needs of the musicians are met from backstage to onstage.What have been your favourite or most interesting projects with ARCO so far?
Every project is a new adventure and it’s been truly amazing being back on tour again and performing for live audiences, collaborating with our wonderful musicians and bringing our youth music education programs back to life, after the challenges of the last two years. Exploring lesser known works and bringing new insights and perspectives into well-known repertoire is a real buzz for me as a director and I enjoy exploring a vast range of repertoire from the Baroque to the 21st Century with historically expressive techniques on instruments of the time.What about when you’re not performing? What do you like to do in your spare time?
When I’m not performing, I’m studying scores, reading sources, listening to recordings and preparing for the next program. I teach in many institutions and direct music education programs around the country and in Europe, so this also involves dedicated preparation and immersion in the repertoire. I also travel frequently and am very much looking forward to working overseas again this year, including in Europe and the USA.What would you say to ABCI singers thinking about eventually moving into a career as a professional musician?
Trust your instincts and listen to your teachers, coaches and directors as they have your best interests at heart. A career path in music is different for everyone, so allowing time to explore and experiment in different areas of music and the music industry is very important, especially in this day and age of portfolio careers. Perform regularly and go to concerts, the theatre and performances at every opportunity. Experiencing music making in places outside your hometown will also broaden your vision of the world and your place in it, as well as expand your understanding and awareness of the value of music and the diversity of musical genres.
'Austrian Encounters'
Presented by the Australian Boys Choral Institute
Saturday 21st May at St. Mary's Basilica Geelong | Sunday 22nd May at Sacred Heart Carlton
Also live-streamed on the Australian Digital Concert Hall platform. World-wide digital access.
The Australian Boys Choir joins with The Vocal Consort and the Australian Romantic & Classical Orchestra to present some of the finest 18th century choral repertoire.
Performed on period instruments, this concert will feature the sparkling 'Spatzenmesse' of Mozart and also include works by fraternal composers Joseph and Michael Haydn.