A new orchestra is a rare and difficult beast to establish. Aside from the obvious cost, there is a balance that has to be drawn in selecting members that both complement and counterpoint the sound that is desired, the kind of music that is going to be played. It takes time and commitment to build an esprit de corps, to construct a sound framework for the musicians to feel comfortable to relax into.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
Conductor Mark Shiell has chosen to plunge into the fraught world of this creation, forming a new chamber orchestra composed of an amalgam of young, talented up-and-coming musicians blended with more experienced players, some of whom have worked with the big names of music in the state such as the Melbourne Symphony Orchestra and Orchestra Victoria.
The FIRE Chamber Orchestra will make its debut performance at this years Organs of the Ballarat Goldfields Festival, bringing the people of Ballarat three concerti – one each by Chopin, Vivaldi and the Spanish composer Joaquin Rodrigo.
Mark Shiell has worked both within Australia widely as well as conducting extensively overseas. He has a particular love for Russia, and he regards his study in that country as the greatest influence upon his work.
Mr Shiell says there are concepts of the Russian practice of conducting which are not often displayed in the west.
“We tend to be taught conducting that is all to do with beating, which is not much more sophisticated than banging a stick on the floor, except you are hitting air.” Mr Shiell said.
“In Russia the approach is, your role is, to be animating the music. You’re interacting with people’s imaginations to create the sound. And you’re doing that through trying to remain connected to the music all the time, you’re getting involved in the rhythm, and shaping that rhythm so you really feel like you’re touching the sound, manipulating the sounds, playing the orchestra.”
Playing with the FIRE Chamber orchestra will be two soloists: pianist Hoang Pham playing the Chopin Piano Concerto No1 in e minor, and guitarist Massimo Scattolin performing Rodrigo’s famous Concierto di Aranjeuz. Mr Shiell will play the flute as soloist for Vivaldi’s Concerto for flute ‘Il Gardellino’.
Mr Shiell says the mixture of younger and older professionals in the new ensemble brings a broad and astonishing range of vitality and knowledge to what they play.
“There’s a real need for an ensemble like this. This is established from day one to give people a vital experience, a better experience.”
The FIRE Chamber Orchestra will perform on Saturday January 21 at 8pm at Her Majesty’s Theatre in Lydiard Street.
