LOTS of orchestral musicians are fond of telling bad jokes about that important stringed instrument, the viola, but you can be quite sure that Robert Harris is not among them.
Harris, guest principal viola for the Canberra Symphony Orchestra since 2007, and former president of the ANZ Viola Society, is busy putting together four viola days for 2012 under the title Café Viola, with the aim of “consolidating the viola in our busy musical community”.
The project will kick off next week at the Ainslie Arts Centre, with other Café Viola days on May 6, August 19 and October 21.
People in interested in attending would not only be violists keen to take part in the workshop ensemble activities, but also to the general public, for whom there will be two performances.
In the first, violist-composer Paul Groh will give a lecture recital featuring his own compositions. In the second, the Lorenz Duo, will feature Harris performing music by Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart and his father Leopold, as well as works by Australian composers.
[box]Program: Café Viola’s first day for 2012 takes place at the Ainslie Arts Centre, Elouera Street, Braddon on February 19.
From 10am, arrivals and registration in the James Ainslie Recital Hall
From 10.15am, viola ensembles in Studio One
11.15, lecture/recital: “Composing for viola”, Paul Groh discusses the challenges of composing for the viola with examples from his own works
12 to 12.30pm, lunch break, BYO snacks and picnic. Tea/coffee available
12.30pm, viola ensembles from in Studio One
1.30, Recital in James Ainslie Recital Hall, Viola Plus and the Lorenz Duo Robert Harris, viola, with Andrew Lorenz, violin and Wendy Lorenz, piano, perform music by the Mozart’s father and son, Australians Sutherland and Edwards plus Valentine’s Day bonbons.
Canberra Youth Music violists: FREE; General Public: $10 each Recital (proceeds to viola scholarships fund)
Bookings to festivalarts@netspace.net.au or 0428 248 348 [/box]
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