New Australian Romantic & Classical Orchestra Album ‘Illuminate’
The Australian Romantic & Classical Orchestra (ARCO) has a new release ‘Illuminate’ featuring music by Bruch, Britten and Tchaikovsky. This Historically Informed Performance expands the Australian Romantic & Classical Orchestra’s repertoire into the late 19th and early 20th centuries.
Performed by the musicians of the Australian Romantic & Classical Orchestra conducted by Rachael Beesley, with soprano Jacqueline Porter and recorded live at Sydney’s City Recital Hall, the album has music by three iconic Romantic and early Modernist composers, seen in a sparkling new light. Max Bruch (1838-1920), known so well for his Violin Concerto No.1, here shows his love for folk music in the bucolic Serenade on Swedish Melodies, influenced by a march, dance and lyrical love songs. The Souvenir de Florence Op.70 by Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky (1840-1893) captures the lilt of Russian folk tunes, here in full string orchestra version.
The centrepiece of ‘Illuminate’ is the title work Les Illuminations Op.18 by Benjamin Britten (1913-1976). This brilliant song cycle set to mystical poetry by Arthur Rimbaud, later sung by a tenor soloist, was originally written for Britten’s friend, soprano Sophie Wyss. Now the Australian Romantic & Classical Orchestra spotlights that original version with the golden voice of Jacqueline Porter, exploring the ecstatic emotion that the 25-year-old Britten poured into these 14 miniatures glowing like medieval visions.
Rachael Beesley is one of Australia’s pre-eminent violinists and HIP experts. She observes ” During this period of Romantic lyricism, musicians were known for their individuality of spirit and expressivity. They used a faster and narrower vibrato, prominent portamento (sliding between notes) and legato bow strokes. They often modified tempo and rhythm to highlight the intricate rhetorical interplay between the music and ideas.”
‘Illuminate’ will be available for digital download or streaming on all major platforms from 16 August 2024.
More information and track listing.
Read our review of the Australian Romantic & Classical Orchestra’s November 2023 release Heavenly Mozart.
