BRIEF mention of the Irish Chamber Orchestra’s regional tour with a theatre collaboration, in an exercise led by violinist Katherine Hunka. As orchestra leader, she has form in this area having pioneered a piece some years ago with director Patrick Mason and actor Bosco Hogan, accompanied by string quartet at Lime Tree. ‘My Brother Peter’ was set to selected music by Peter Ilyich Tchaikovsky.
It was rich with insight and indeed, love. Hogan read passages of correspondence between the composer and his brother, within the frame of his nocturnes and serenades.
This was a new gig for the ICO, a glimpse at the inner landscape of the Russian master and his family dynamic which was truly challenging; and the exposition of beautiful music through storytelling.
The 2019 new ensemble looks again to Russia (Katherine Hunka is half-Ukrainian, half- British). The musical theatre work ‘Testimony’ is to do with “an understanding of Shostakovich’s life and work” and presents Barry McGovern in the role of the Russian rebel, interest is piqued.
More than Dmitri Shostakovich’s music will be incorporated in the soundscape; anticipate a selection of relevant Russian greats.
The original ‘TESTIMONY’ was an international best seller in the late ’70s, his memoirs dictated to a young musicologist, Solomon Volkov.
ICO tells us this show “reflects on the life of Shostakovich, his respect for his teacher Aleksandr Glazunov, his relationship with Josef Stalin and with peers Sergei Prokofiev and Igor Stravinksy in Russia.”
Explore tour dates to Nenagh Arts Cenre June 26 and on then to Navan, Roscommon and Mayo’s Newport, plus tickets on www.irishchamberorchestra.com
