Program
Governor's Recital Series
The Governor's Recital Series was developed as a means to open Government House to the people of Victoria. At the request of the Governor of Victoria, a series of chamber music concerts will be held at the prestigious site.
Five performances have taken place so far, allowing guests to experience the beauty of classical music in the grand Ballroom of Government House.
Program
Latitude 37 - La Passeggiata
La Passeggiata - the Italian custom of taking a leisurely stroll around town.
For this concert, Latitude 37 will take you on a passeggiata through Europe, taking in works from the late renaissance to the early baroque period, illustrating this highly creative era.
G. Caccini (Italy 1551 - 1618) arr. Latitude 37
Amarilli mia Bella 5'
A. Piccinini (Italy 1566 - c.1638) arr. Latitude 37
Folias 3'
Our journey commences in Italy, where Caccini was one of the most important composers of his day. His beautiful song Amarilli mia Bella includes our own diminutions (decorations) as well as some melodic ornamentation from a version of the song found in an early 17th Century English Manuscript.
Our version of the Folias, a famous harmonic progression bassline, is a less common one, beginning with a variation by Piccinini, then moving into our own original reworkings.
Anon (Slovakia published ca. 1677-1700)
Suite from collection Pestry Zbornik 5'
Anon/published Playford (England 1685)
Greensleeves To A Ground 4'
We then cross to a selection of traditional Eastern European dances from Pestry Zbornik, an anonymous Slovakian manuscript; followed by a peek into England, with the famous folk tune Greensleeves which is based on the Italian 'Romanesca' bassline.
J. S. Bach (Germany 1685 - 1750)
Andante from trio Sonata in D minor BWV 528 4'
J. Pachelbel (1653 - 1706)
Canon and Gigue in D Majo 6'
Our next destination is Germany, with the music of J. S. Bach and Johann Pachelbel. The characteristic German musical gestures are influenced by the Italian and French styles, particularly in the Bach piece.
J. P. Rameau (France 1683 - 1764)
Pieces de Clavecin en Concert - no 5 12'
- La Forqueray
- La Cupis
- La Marais
Finally we conclude our musical stroll in France with Cinquième Pièce de Clavecin en Concert. Partly homage to two of Rameau's famous musical contemporaries, it portrays a well-known female dancer at Versailles. Featuring the Violin and Viola da Gamba, the harpsichord takes centre stage in this work that gracefully balances elegance with flamboyance.