ACO ‘sing’ of winter walks

SOPRANO Dawn Upshaw and composer Maria Schneider join the Australian Chamber Orchestra’s for the beginning of its 2014 season—here in Canberra.

Upshaw will perform with the ACO for the Australian premiere of “Winter Morning Walks”, an orchestral song cycle that “blurs the lines between classical and jazz”. Written by Schneider especially for Upshaw and the ACO, the work  is based on the poems of American poet laureate and Pulitzer Prize winner Ted Kooser, who penned the works while recovering from cancer treatment. Advised by his doctor to avoid sunlight, the poet ventured into the chilly Nebraskan countryside before dawn.

The resulting haiku-like verses,  became the basis for his book of poetry “Winter Morning Walks: 100 Postcards to Jim Harrison,” were the basis of  Schneider’s nine-song cycle.

The ACO will also be joined by three of Schneider’s regular collaborators, pianist Frank Kimbrough, clarinettist Scott Robinson and bass player Jay Anderson, who will add an improvisational element to the performances.

The recital will also include a selection of seven works from John Adams’ “John’s Book of Alleged Dances”.

“Upshaw, Elgar & Grieg,” Llewellyn Hall, 8pm, Fri 7 Feb, bookings to ticketek.com.au  or 1300 795 012.

The full program is below:

JOHN ADAMS Selections from John’s Book of Alleged Dances

GRIEG Holberg Suite

GRIEG Solveig’s Song

RAUTAVAARA Die Liebenden: Liebes-Lied

MARIA SCHNEIDER Winter Morning Walks (Australian Premiere)

ELGAR Introduction and Allegro

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