Repeating Islands

If popularity is measured by the number of times the Bermuda Festival Orchestra (BFO) has been invited to perform at the annual cultural festival, then the orchestra must be very popular indeed, the Royal Gazette reports.
First developed for the 2009 Bermuda Festival, this year marks the orchestra’s third consecutive appearance under the treble clef logo, and conductor Ryan Ellis could not be more pleased.
Comprised almost entirely of resident musicians who have day jobs and rehearse in their spare time, he is proud of their hard work and steady growth into a fine orchestra capable of performing an increasingly challenging repertoire.
Nevertheless, because Bermuda lacks musicians who play certain instruments found in orchestras overseas, it is always necessary to augment the resident ranks of the BFO with visiting instrumentalists.
“We have no double reed players for example, so we always have to bring in oboes and bassoons,” Mr Ellis said. “In fact, double reed players are rare all around the world.”
Also playing in the orchestra this year are three young Bermudian music students from Warwick Academy: Amanda Brown, who will be playing alongside Kent Hayward in the horn section, and Lindsay Fisher and Kallan Thomas who will be playing in the percussion section.
Mr Hayward is head of the school’s music department, and will also be the featured soloist in Richard Strauss’ ‘Horn Concerto No. 1, Opus 11′.
Miss Fisher studies piano with Bermuda School of Music faculty member Oliver Grant, who will be the featured soloist in Rachmaninov’s powerful ‘Piano Concerto No. 2′.
Returning from post-graduate studies at London’s Royal Academy of Music especially to perform in this concert is Bermudian mezzo-soprano Kerri-Lynne Dietz, the third soloist in the programme.
She will sing ‘Morgen! Op. 27.No. 4′ by Richard Strauss; ‘Where Corals Lie’ from ‘Sea Pictures’ by Edward Elgar, and ‘Bailèro’ from ‘Chants d’Auvergne’ by Joseph Canteloube.

“Our goal with the BFO is to showcase as much local talent as possible,” Mr Ellis said. “When we have an opportunity to reach out, we strive to bring Bermudians back to showcase what they are studying and doing around the world.
“Kerri-Lynne has a wonderful voice, and we are pleased to be making music with her. The quality of her voice is continuing to grow a beautiful instrument and expressive musicianship.”
Of Mr Hayward, the conductor said: “Our resident horn specialist is going to treat us to a remarkable and difficult concerto. He is always very good to work with, and a great collaborator in music.”
Mr Ellis described soloist and fellow Bermuda School of Music faculty member Oliver Grant as “a true piano concertist”.
“Oliver really shines on stage when doing impressive works. His musicianship, and the way he studies and prepares, is remarkable.”
In terms of the programme itself, the conductor said it has been “carefully chosen to highlight the evolution of the 19th century orchestra into a larger ensemble, with greater dramatic effect, and more contrasting sounds, to portray the passion, adventure and poetry in their music”.
“The expansion in size and colour began with Beethoven and continued most notably with Berlioz. Concurrrently, the orchestral art song was developed as a means to heighten the instrumental soundscape, with the conveyance of the text bringing the listener into a complete picture of the artistic expression.
“Our 2011 concert is a celebration of that development in music, and chooses some of the greatest composers from the turn of the 19th century to the turn of the 20th century. We are starting with Beethoven and going through to Rachmaninov, one of the great romantic composers, hitting Strauss, Berlioz and Elgar along the way.”
Performances will take place at City Hall theatre on Friday and Saturday evening (February 25 and 26) at 8pm.
For ticket information and availability see website www.bermudatix.bm. For profiles of the soloists, see separate story.

For the original report go to http://www.royalgazette.com/article/20110224/ISLAND04/702249995/-1/Island