Memories of Spring

 Armidale usually has a vibrant musical calendar with many orchestral concerts during the course of a year. However, COVID-19 has severely restricted the number of concerts. So it was relief that our NSW government has recently removed lock-down provisions and opening up people gathering to listen to our great local orchestra. Even so, members of the audience had to demonstrate double vaccination to get in and then wear a face-mask.

Yesterday's concert was extraordinarily beautiful in terms of works performed and quality of playing. We started with a lovely rendition of Mozart's Die Entfuhring aus dem Serail (K484, 1782). Next came 4 concertos by Antonio Vivaldi written in 1720, each portraying serially Spring, Summer, Autumn and Winter. Each involves a solo violinist and the two young performers - Emily Thompson and Eliza Scott - were brilliant in their roles. The audience gave the whole orchestra and the soloists tumultuous applause after that performance, which - in my view, mirrored professional orchestras in our major cities.

After a short intermission, we reconvened for a great performance of Aaron Copland's Appalachian Spring. I adore this beautiful work, partly because I've explored much of the USA's Appalachian range and partly because it was composed in the same year as I and Dot were born ... 1945.

I was able to take a few pictures of the event  ... and even a few videos. However, I've tried uploading a few of the latter, but cannot get them to work. Maybe they'll work for you!

AS