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Work

Smith's alchemy : for string orchestra

by Carl Vine (2001)

Audio Sample

Performance by Tasmanian Symphony Orchestra, Ola Rudner from the CD Alchemy

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Alchemy

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CD

Alchemy / Tasmanian Symphony Orchestra.

Library shelf no. CD 1220 [Available for loan]

Smith's alchemy

$35.45

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Score

Smith's alchemy : for string orchestra / Carl Vine

Library shelf no. 784.7/VIN 1 [Available for loan]

Display all products featuring this work (2 more)  

Work Overview

My third string quartet was commissioned by the Smith Quartet (London) and first performed by them in 1994 at the Brighton Festival. The work more or less disappeared from view until 2000, when the Goldner String Quartet played it at the opening of the Angel Place Recital Hall in Sydney. It was this performance that caught the ear of Richard Tognetti, Artistic Director of the Australian Chamber Orchestra, and he asked whether it could be arranged for his band.

The intention of the original work was to transform four stringed instruments into a single "super" instrument while capitalising on their natural singing qualities. A kind of aural alchemy.

Although the very structure of the original work was predicated on the techniques used to create certain effects, this remains much the same in the new version for string orchestra, and some parts required little amendment. The potential to "share" difficult techniques across more than one instrument has in many ways liberated the music, allowing greater emphasis on its lyrical qualities.

Work Details

Year: 2001

Instrumentation: String orchestra

Duration: 15 min.

Difficulty: Advanced

Commission note: Commissioned by Richard Tognetti.

First performance: by Australian Chamber Orchestra — 17 Nov 01. Melbourne

Performances of this work

20 Oct 2019: at Melbourne Symphony at Carnegie Hall (Carnegie Zankel). Featuring Melbourne Symphony Orchestra, Dale Barltrop.

20 Oct 19: Carnegie Hall, New York City, USA. Featuring Dale Barltrop, Melbourne Symphony Orchestra.

2018: Northcote Uniting Church, Melbourne, VIC. Featuring Fintan Murphy, Melbourne String Ensemble.

10 Aug 2018: at MLIVE: Melbourne Symphony Orchestra & Dale Barltrop (Robert Blackwood Concert Hall). Featuring Dale Barltrop, Melbourne Symphony Orchestra.

3 Dec 2017: at The White Mouse (QPAC Concert Hall). Featuring Camerata - Queensland's Chamber Orchestra.

1 Dec 2017: at The White Mouse (Armitage Centre - Heritage Bank Auditorium). Featuring Camerata - Queensland's Chamber Orchestra.

25 Nov 2016: at Huntington Estate Music Festival: Vine (Huntington Estate Winery). Featuring Sophie Rowell, ANAM Musicians.

19 Oct 14: Concertgebouw, Brugge, Belgium. Featuring Ning Kam, Het Kamerorkest.

18 Oct 14: Gent, Belgium. Featuring Het Kamerorkest, Ning Kam.

5 Oct 14: AMUZ, Antwerp, Belgium. Featuring Ning Kam, Het Kamerorkest.

19 Mar 14: Sydney Opera House, Concert hall. Featuring Sydney Symphony Orchestra, Pinchas Steinberg.

19 Mar 2014: at SSO: Vine, Wieniawski, Beethoven (Sydney Opera House, Concert Hall). Featuring Pinchas Steinberg, Sydney Symphony Orchestra.

11 Sep 2009: at Geelong Chamber Music Society (Wesley Church, Geelong). Featuring Hamer Quartet.

17 Feb 2009: at Gidon Kremer and Kremerata Baltica (Sydney Opera House, Concert Hall). Featuring Gidon Kremer.

16 Feb 2009: at Gidon Kremer and Kremerata Baltica (Sydney Opera House, Concert Hall). Featuring Gidon Kremer.

19 Feb 2009: at Gidon Kremer and Kremerata Baltica (Perth Concert Hall). Featuring Gidon Kremer.

14 Feb 2009: at Gidon Kremer and Kremerata Baltica (Melbourne Recital Centre, Elisabeth Murdoch Hall). Featuring Gidon Kremer.

11 Feb 2009: at Gidon Kremer and Kremerata Baltica (Adelaide Town Hall). Featuring Gidon Kremer.

10 Feb 2009: at Gidon Kremer and Kremerata Baltica (Llewellyn Hall ANU School of Music). Featuring Gidon Kremer.

9 Feb 2009: at Gidon Kremer and Kremerata Baltica (Melbourne Recital Centre, Elisabeth Murdoch Hall). Featuring Gidon Kremer.

17 Nov 01: Melbourne. Featuring Australian Chamber Orchestra.

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