‘Magical miniatures’ from Selby and friends

Pianist Kathy Selby teams up with clarinettist Cathy McCorkill and cellist Julian Smiles for Selby and Friends’ third tour of the year called  Magical Miniatures. The programme features bite-sized pieces of music written for various combinations of this classic trio of instruments.

The programme includes music by three great German Romantic masters, Bruch, Brahms and Schumann, French impressionists Debussy and Fauré, and the prescient contemporary Australian composer Andrew Schultz.

This trio of lauded and experienced musicians is well placed to explore all the possibilities that chamber music has to offer, with their technical skill enhanced by the subtleties of mutual understanding and non-verbal communication offered by the friendships amongst the three. Selby has worked with her guest artists several times and says “I was looking for works that would show the true range of these extraordinary performers and was amazed to find such an astonishing variety of miniature masterpieces for this combination and just could not leave anything out – hence the splendid array of styles, musical periods and techniques for all three instruments covered in this program.”

Selby likes to speak to her audience from the stage, adding an intimacy to the experience whilst allowing the audience to get to know the performers and hear their thoughts on the music.

After Nina by Andrew Schultz was composed in 2007 for the Brisbane based, Endeavour Trio comprising Paul Dean, Trish O’Brien and Stephen Emmerson. It was intended to be the slow movement of a larger three movement work, but is performed as a stand alone item as well. The work is a slow, contemplative and lyrical study based around a pattern of low chords heard first in the piano. The piece was inspired by Nina Simone’s version of the song, Strange Fruit with its minimalist piano accompaniment although After Nina doesn’t directly quote from that song.

Brahms’ Trio for clarinet, cello, piano in A minor, Op. 114 is amongst his last works demonstrating his move away from established forms; Debussy’s Première Rapsodie for clarinet and piano was written as an examination piece for the 1910 exams at the Paris Conservatoire!

Programme:

Claude Debussy Première Rapsodie for clarinet and piano

Andrew Schultz After Nina – Trio for clarinet, cello, piano (2007)

Robert Schumann Märchenerzählungen (Fairy Tale Narrations), Op. 132 for clarinet, cello, piano

Max Bruch 8 pieces for clarinet, cello, piano (1910) (selected excerpts)

John Cage Sonata for solo clarinet

Gabriel Fauré Elégie for cello and piano, Op. 24

Johannes Brahms Trio for clarinet, cello, piano in A minor, Op. 114

Tickets range from $44 – $68

Bookings: Box Office on 02 8256 2222 or 1300 797 118. on line at www.cityrecitalhall.com or in person at 2 Angel Place Sydney

A  special mini 3-concert subscription is available for the remaining three tours of 2012. For information, visit the www.selbyandfriends.com.au

Special Introductory price for under 30s: $33.00 all concerts

Accompanied children 14 and under admitted free – please call our office on 0418 964 775 to book