Flinders Quartet with Munro
Parlez-vous français?
World Premiere: Divertissement sur le nom d’Erik Satie by Ian Munro
Guest Pianists: Ian Munro (Divertissement); and Caroline Almonte (Saint Saens Piano quintet Op. 14 in A minor)
Flinders Quartet will perform its first commissioned work the quintet Divertissement sur le nom d’Erik Satie on Sunday June 25 and Tuesday 27 in Melbourne. Written by renowned pianist and composer Ian Munro, the quintet it is based on a set of paintings, and tells the story of a day in the life of Satie - one of France’s most loved composers.
The composer Ian Munro says Satie, who lived most of his life in various lodgings in the Parisian suburb of Montmartre - known for its population of artists, musicians and for the cafés they frequented - was a treasure trove of unconventional and fresh musical ideas:
“The piece, an entertainment based on the idea of a day in the life of Erik Satie, takes a wry look at the famous eccentricities of Satie - his 84 handkerchiefs, his “Vexations”, his unfulfilled wish to master counterpoint, his weird performance directions, and his Rosicrucian dabblings. Overall the work is meant as an affectionate homage to an original and inspirational composer whose influence left its mark on Stravinsky, Debussy and many others. It is a work for those who could and can see through the fun and games of the “velvet gentleman.”
Munro will join Flinders Quartet to perform the piece next month. Quartet member Zoe Knighton says the quality of the composition matched with Munro¹s virtuosity at the piano will result in what promises to be a fantastic performance. “Ian is not often thought of as a composer, yet his compositions are winning prizes and gaining notoriety around the globe. Flinders Quartet is delighted to be performing with this exceptional guest artist and is also especially pleased to be involved in this new Australian commission.”
Also in the concert named Parlez vous Francais, Flinders Quartet with pianist Caroline Almonte will visit the Saint Saens Piano quintet Op. 14 in A minor, a piece often neglected in the piano quintet repertoire. This piece will both highlight Almonte’s excellent musicianship and introduce the audience to the wonderful world of Saint-Saens’ chamber music.
Flinders Quartet also performs the Debussy quartet. Knighton says “this opitimises everything french - the colours, the textures and the beautiful sound world that we find ourselves in will have everyone whisked away to the banks of the Seine!”
Ian Munro¹s career has taken him to thirty countries winning him multiple prizes in international piano competitions in Spain (Maria Canals), Italy (Busoni), Portugal (Vianna da Motta). His second prize at the Leeds International Piano Competition in the UK in 1987 established his international profile. Last year he was awarded a Premier Grand Prix at the Queen Elisabeth International Competition for composers (Belgium) is a unique achievement for an Australian.
Ian completed his early training in Melbourne and furthered his studies in Vienna, London and Italy. In the UK alone he has performed with Royal Philharmonic Orchestra, Philharmonia, English Chamber Orchestra, London Mozart Players, BBC Concert Orchestra, BBC Scottish Symphony Orchestra. Elsewhere, he has performed over fifty piano concerti with orchestras in Poland, Italy, Portugal, Russia, the USA, China, New Zealand and Australia. In chamber music he¹s joined artists such as Ruggiero Ricci, Erich Gruenberg, Oleh Krysa, Karina Georgian, Jane Manning, Gerald English, Yvonne Kenny, the Medici and Belcea String Quartets and the Berlin Philharmonic Wind Quintet. In the last two seasons Ian¹s played concerti by Ravel, Munro, Mozart, Kats-Chernin, Gershwin and Edwards, toured to the UK, Russia, Belgium, Italy, Switzerland, Uzbekistan and throughout Australia and New Zealand.
Ian has recently written three major works: Blue Rags, for wind, brass and percussion (premiered by TSO in 05 duringTen Days on the Island Festival); Drought and Night Rain (premiered at Federation Concert Hall, Hobart 05); O Traurigkeit for cello and orchestra, (recently received its first performance by soloist Sue-Ellen Paulsen). Ian is National Board Member of Music Viva and a member of the Artistic Committee of Chamber Music Australia.
Divertissement sur le nom d’Erik Satie was commissioned with funds provided by Australia Council.
Parlez-vous français?
Debussy string quartet Op. 10 in G minor
Ian Munro Piano Quintet (World premier)
Saint Saens Piano quintet Op. 14 in A minor
June 25
Montsalvat Barn Gallery
7 Hillcrest Avenue,
Eltham
2:30pm concert
June 27
Iwaki auditorium
ABC Southbank
6:30pm concert
6pm Delatite Wine
Tickets: 03 9685 5111.
Cost: $25 or $15 (conc)
