By Madeleine Murray for Tweed Valley Weekly
NORTHERN RIVERS SYMPHONY ORCHESTRA presents Symphonic Gems on Sunday, October 26, at the Tweed Heads Civic Centre.
Prepare to be inspired and delighted by the sheer talent and musical genius of 13-year-old Gold Coast violinist Alessandro Martinese performing Wieniawski’s Violin Concerto No. 2, conducted by Owen Clarke.
The Weekly caught up with Alessandro, the extraordinary 13-year-old prodigy. “Violin Concerto No. 2 is a very difficult piece technically, but I really like it. It’s fun to play, especially the last movement of the concerto.”
Alessandro has won places at many eisteddfods and was awarded Most Promising String Player at both the 2023 Gold Coast Eisteddfod and the 2024 Redlands Eisteddfod. This year he was awarded the prestigious open scholarship at the Redlands Eisteddfod. Alessandro has performed at Albert Hall in London and at Bozar in Brussels in 2023.
Conductor Owen Clarke is looking forward to working with Alessandro. “It is a delight to see such potential in a young musician, and I am impressed by how he approaches the music with professionalism, finesse and maturity.
“The Wieniawski Concerto is an essential of any violinist’s repertoire and is held in high esteem. Wieniawski himself was a young prodigious talent, like our soloist, and wanted to showcase the violin and the range of dazzling technical capabilities of the instrument. This is showcased particularly in the outer movements, while the middle movement, Romance, is achingly beautiful with a soulful melody.”
The program also features Mozart’s Overture to the Magic Flute, Schubert’s Rosamunde, and Unfinished Symphony.
“The playfulness and verve of the Overture to Mozart’s Magic Flute contrasts with the depth of feeling and beauty of Schubert’s Unfinished Symphony,” Owen said.
“The Overture is at times frivolous and irreverent, and then in moments, solemn and majestic. This piece is fun to play for the whole orchestra with fast motives in strings and woodwind, as well as grand moments in the brass.
“Finishing the concert will be the music of Schubert with the enigmatic Unfinished Symphony. Comprising just two movements, it is filled with grace, beauty, passion and drama, elements that have made the work popular to this day.”
This is a concert not to be missed.
Symphonic Gems is at 2:30pm NSW time on Sunday, October 26, at the Tweed Heads Civic Centre, Wharf St, Tweed Heads. For tickets, go to nrso.com.au, Murwillumbah Music or at the door if not sold out.