CSIRO discovery centre Archives - The Griffyn Ensemble

Amérique Latine

The art music of Latin America has over the last 50 years been a vibrant and fertile ground of musical imagination. In tonight’s concert we hope to give you a taste of the diverse, excited, sensual, original, and downright enjoyable music that has been written and influenced by Latin America. From the pioneers of art music in Latin America: Villa-Lobos in Brazil, Ginastera in Argentina, and Revueltas in Mexico, to the more contemporary works of composers from Argentina, Venezuela, and Puerto Rico, we hope to emit some of the passion and feeling of such music.

The first half of this performance is designed as a ‘taster’ of Latin American music. Short works for small chamber combinations are woven in between Milhaud’s fascinating Saudades of Brasil performed by the whole ensemble.

In the second half, we open with a short piece by Venezuelan composer Adina Izarra, influenced by the sound of birdcalls. The ensemble then launches in to a musical exploration of Argentina, including a world premiere written as homage to Tango legend Astor Piazzolla; music from the Argentine avant-garde; evocation of indigenous Amazonian culture; and the multicultural nature of contemporary Argentine.

Alberto Ginastera – Duo for Flute and Oboe
Roberto Sierra – Tres Pensamientos
Silvestre Revueltas – Four Little Pieces
Heitor Villa-Lobos – Song of the Black Swan
Adina Izarra – Querrequerres
Tim Hansen – Killa Chinchilla
Gerardo Dirié – Lo Colore son Amore
Osvaldo Golijov – Lullaby and Doina

28 March 2008 @ CSIRO Discovery Centre

Shadow Puppets

Griffyn’s last concert for 2008 presents three major works of the early 20th century, all of which to some degree are both reflective and critical of the social times in which they were created. Ravel’s Tzigane is a dramatic collage of genre and style, inspired by the European gypsy tradition. Walton’s Façade, with poetry by Edith Sitwell has aquired an almost cult status since it was first performed in 1922, and both textually and musically is a witty critique of Victorian and early 20th century society. László Lajtha is unknown to most Australian musicians and audiences (due primarily to political opression), but in Hungary his work is equal to that of his contemproaries Bartók and Kodály. Marionnettes is a vibrant puppet-like work for harp strings and flute in 4 movements, using the folk traditions that Lajtha was so intent in studying.

Allen Brings – Burlette
Maurice Ravel – Tzigane arr. Sollis
Sir William Walton – Façade
László Lajtha – Marionettes
Jonathan Stephens – String Triptych mvt 2: Poco Lento

21 November 2008 @ CSIRO Discovery Centre