Epic sounds ahead

Rosemary Sorensen | Bendigo Weekly | 18-Oct-2012

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Master: Adam Chalabi.
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Bendigo can look forward to more “truly epic” music when the 1000-seat community theatre is built on the old gaol site.
“Orchestra Victoria is very proud of its long association with Bendigo and we would hope that the orchestra would be able to present works of a symphonic scale similar to the Elgar (being performed at The Capital next week) more regularly,” concertmaster Adam Chalabi said this week.
“The new hall will undoubtedly be part of that.”
Orchestra Victoria’s concert on Friday, October 26, features both an Elgar concerto and the grand Symphony No.1, as well as Arnold’s “Sussex Overture”.
The concert also features 17-year-old Columbian cellist Santiago Canon Valencia, in one of two Australian performances.
“I have always thought that English composers are a somewhat neglected breed,” Mr Chalabi said.
“Elgar’s 1st Symphony is a truly epic piece of music at almost 50 minutes long and it is so rarely played outside of Great Britain.
“I thought it would be exciting to bring a piece to the audience in Bendigo that lies a little outside the standard symphonic repertoire, yet contains so much energy and colour.”
Mr Chalabi said the size of the Elgar within the 500-seat Capital Theatre will be “interesting”.
“To a certain extent one always has to program works according to the dimensions and acoustics of a hall,” he said.
“The Elgar Symphony has moments of great intimacy coupled with huge symphonic climaxes.
“It should be a really engaging experience for both orchestra and audience.”
Orchestra Victoria, conducted by Warwick Stengards, with soloist Santiago Canon Valencia, at The Capital, October 26, 7.30pm, $15. Bookings 5434 6100.

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