Lunchtime Concert Series - Zoffany Ensemble
Sinfonia Smith SquareSmith Square, Westminster
Thu 19 Nov · 13:05
About this event
Musicologists have long known that Serenade No. 1 originally existed in a chamber version scored for nine instruments and was first performed in 1859. Brahms later expanded the piece into the orchestral form we know today, reportedly encouraged by friends including Clara Schumann and Joseph Joachim. Unfortunately, the original manuscript disappeared, leaving only traces embedded within the orchestral score. However, in 1987, Jorge Rotter undertook the task of reconstructing the lost version by studying Brahms’ orchestration closely and identifying passages that clearly retained their chamber music origins. The result is not merely a reduction of the orchestral score, but an impressive and important piece of chamber music which in many respects corresponds to Beethoven’s septet and Schubert’s octet. It is a vivid reimagining of the original sound world: transparent, intimate, and conversational. The Zoffany Ensemble first performed Brahms’ Op 11 at the Conway Hall, and more recently on Radio 3’s ‘ In Tune ’. www.zoffanyensemble.com Violin Manon Derome Viola Rachel Robert Cello Anthony Pleeth Double Bass Lynda Houghton Flute Karen Jone Clarinet Anthony Pike Clarinet John Slack Horn Roger Montgomery Bassoon Andrea de Flamminei
