Melbourne Conservatorium of Music Chamber Winds
Ensemble Members
Carla Blackwood, horn
David Griffiths, clarinet
Andrew Barnes, bassoon
Students from the Melbourne Conservatorium of Music
Concert program
C.M. von Weber
(1786–1826)
Adagio and Rondo
for two clarinets, two horns and two bassoons
B. Crusell
(1775–1838)
Concert Trio
for clarinet, horn and bassoon
Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart
(1756–1791)
La Clemenza di Tito KV 621
arranged for two clarinets, two horns and two bassoons by Andreas Tarkmann
1. Overture
2. Aria Vitellia “Deh, se piacer mi vuoi”
3. Aria Annio “Torna di Tito a lato”
4. Duetto Vitellia-Sesto “Fan mille affetti insieme”
5. Duetto Servilla-Annio “Ah perdona al primo affetto”
6. Terzetto “Vengo, aspettate!”
7. Aria Sesto “Parto, parto”
8. Rondo Vitellia “Non più di fiori”
9. Finale “Tu, è ver, m’assolvi, Augusto”
Appearing courtesy of the Melbourne Conservatorium of Music, staff and students perform side-by-side in an entertaining program of Classical and Romantic works for two clarinets, two horns and two bassoons.
The program opens with a witty sextet by Carl Maria von Weber, exploring the beguiling musical timbre and sonorous homogeneity of each pair of instruments. This is followed by a trio for clarinet, horn and bassoon by virtuosic Romantic Swedish clarinettist and composer Bernhard Crusell, whose son-in-law, Franz Preumayr, was also a brilliant international bassoon soloist in the first half of the nineteenth century. Each musician has an opportunity to shine in this entertaining, contrasting work in one movement. The program continues with Mozart’s jovial opera di La Clemenza di Tito, presented here in a skilfully condensed version by German arranger Andreas Tarkmann. Transcriptions for wind instruments, also known as “Harmoniemusik” at the time of Mozart, were often the rage because they popularised operatic hits. This tradition has continued from the Baroque period through to the present day. The unique flexibility of the sextet combination is on display in each contrasting movement. Sparkling, energetic, bubbling sounds of the full ensemble are complemented by subtle blending and nuancing between all instruments, simultaneously allowing each soloist to come to the fore with expressive, lyrical musicality.
Chamber music is a core component of all degrees in performance at the Melbourne Conservatorium of Music (MCM). For many students the highlight of their studies comes when they are offered the opportunity to perform alongside their teachers and mentors in a professional situation. Conservatorium clarinettist David Griffiths, hornist Carla Blackwood and bassoonist Andrew Barnes bring an enormous amount of experience and expertise to the ensemble. They have international careers as solo, chamber and orchestral musicians, and they perform regularly with many leading ensembles in Australia. Since the overwhelming success of their first collaboration at the 2019 MCM International Wind Festival, they have presented numerous side-by-side projects, challenging the next generation of music students to venture outside their comfort zones in pursuit of excellence as both wonderful musicians and inspiring human beings.
Festival Pass
Until the 21st of May, you can buy a pass for $160 and choose 4 music events for a discounted package! Check out the festival pass page for instructions and more information.