News Release:
International lute player performs at Bach Festival
| 9/1/04 003/04 One of Australia's leading early music specialists will perform at the second annual New England Bach Festival in Armidale, starting on February 12. Lute player Tommie Andersson, also a principal player with The Australian Brandenburg Orchestra, will be performing a programme of solo works for his instrument by Johannes Sebastian Bach and Weiss. "Everyone knows Bach is a great composer, yet his lute music is a struggle to fit in on to the instrument," Swedish-born Andersson said. "By that I mean the music is complex and requires skill in interpreting. Weiss, on the other hand, is easier to play on the lute. I have played these pieces of music a number of times and look forward to performing them at the Bach festival." The festival, partly sponsored by the University of New England and in its second year, is expected to attract at least 400 people to Armidale during the five-day event, starting on February 12. Features of the festival include a series of workshops for schoolchildren, a performance of Bach's peasant cantata in a shopping arcade and in an international first, a joint performance by The Australian Brandenburg Orchestra and The Song Company. That event will be held on Friday, February 13 at Armidale's historic St Mary's Cathedral.
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Founded by Dr Terry Norman, the festival has become an important event on music and local calendars and incoming festival director Caroline Downer promises the third event will attract international talent, such as harpsichordist Bob van Asperen. This year, however, the focus is on the joint performance by the Brandenburg and Song Company, both leading Australian performers in early music. The programme includes a Bach cantata, motet and orchestral suite. "It really will be very special and we are all looking forward to playing at the festival," Mr Andersson said. The lute he will be playing is a copy of an instrument made in
Hamburg in the late 1600s. "The instrument I will be playing, however, has a beautiful and distinct sound." Mr Andersson came to Australia in 1984 "for a bit of an adventure" and decided to make it his home. He is now based in Surry Hills and is regarded as Australia's leading specialist in lutes and early guitars. He has performed all over the world and as a soloist has made a number of CDs. For more information, or to interview Mr Andersson, phone Lydia Clifford on 6773 2779. Photographs are available on request. |
