Something that is always discussed with much enthusiasm in the orchestra is rugby. With so many different backgrounds represented in our ranks, there is a lot of friendly banter and cajoling especially around tournaments like the Six Nations.
Did you happen to see us in the climax of BBC Wales’ Calon Lȃn campaign over the last week?
If you didn’t, you can still watch it, complete with a little behind-the-scenes video, featuring our Principal Conductor, Thomas Søndergård, resplendent in his Welsh flag waistcoat.
After the excitement of the Irish victory (sorry, I had to get that in somehow), and Ulster’s victory over Scarlets (again, insincerest apologies to Second Trumpet, Ron Samuel - cut him, and he bleeds Scarlets), karma has bitten me, and I have a miserable cold.
This did not make our recording session with Rob Lane (continuing our work on The Crimson Field), a fun day for me.
With each click of the click track, it felt like my ear drums were going to explode, and by the end of the afternoon my viola felt like a dead weight and even my clothes were hurting my bones.
The prospect of Bartók’s Concerto for Orchestra helped me rally for the following day’s rehearsal in preparation for Friday evening’s St David’s Hall concert.
Bartók â Concerto for Orchestra / Bartók â Concerto i Gerddorfa
While a concerto is normally a showy work for a soloist with orchestral accompaniment, here Bartók really manages to make each section of the orchestra the soloist in turn, with incredible invention and flair.
This was one of Bartók’s final works, and if you don’t know his music it’s a really great introduction to his output.
It is full of everything that, in my opinion, makes Bartók so great - amazing tunes, dancing, energetic rhythms, folk songs and exceptional writing for the orchestral medium.
This is an exceptionally accessible work (there is a reason why this remains one of Bartók’s best loved works) presented in five shortish movements.
You may not know if you like Bartók, or perhaps have never have had the opportunity to hear his work, but this would be a great piece to start with.
Dutch violinist, Liza Ferschtman.
We will also be joined by Dutch violinist, Liza Ferschtman, for the less familiar Dvořák Violin Concerto which definitely deserves to be heard more often.
It was lovely to see our some of our subscribers this week during an open rehearsal for the Bartók (and for a cuppa afterwards, of course).
Next week we have further open rehearsals as we workshop new pieces by Welsh composers.
Anyone can attend these sessions, so book your free tickets through our Audience Line, and come and see the orchestra rehearse in our home at Hoddinott Hall.
I need to take some more cold and flu medicine now before my head or face explodes but before I sign off, just a quick reminder that the deadline for programme ideas for the NOW It’s Your Turn concert is fast approaching (25 March 2014).
For one night only, our audience gets to choose the pieces we play for part of the programme.
The orchestra doesn’t get a vote, so I would be very grateful if someone could suggest the last movement of Mahler 3 on my behalf, or any viola concerto!
For tickets and information, call the orchestra’s Audience Line on 0800 052 1812, or the St David’s Hall box office on 02920 878444.