Balmain Sinfonia presents Mozart, Mendelssohn, Beethoven and Sibelius

In its final concert for the year, one of Sydney’s premier community orchestras. the Balmain Sinfonia showcases violinist Alastair Duff-Forbes and violist Charlotte Fetherston in the popular Mozart Sinfonia Concertante.

Also in the programme,  Mendelsohnn’s Symphony No 1, Beethoven’s Prometheus Overture and Valse Triste by Sibelius.

The Balmain Sinfonia is celebrating its 21st year under conductor and founding Director Gary Stavrou, who commented “Orchestral works showcasing several solo instruments – known as sinfonia concertante – were very popular in Mozart’s time but he went far beyond the genre to create a true double concerto in which the violin and viola are treated as equal and highly virtuosic partners. Mozart was an accomplished player of both instruments and was aware of the difficulties in balancing the darker, cloudier sound of the viola against the brilliant tone of the violin.”

Alastair Duff-Forbes has been a chamber musician and soloist for many years. He has performed many concertos including those by Barber,  Mozart (A Major) and JS Bach Bach ( the Double Concerto). In 2012 Alastair performed the world premiere of Chernobyl, a violin concerto that was written especially for him. Alastair also has an interest in viola, singing and conducting and is currently concertmaster of Balmain Sinfonia. 

Charlotte Fetherston has a Bachelor of Music with First Class Honours from the New Zealand School of Music, Wellington. In 2010 she became a candidate for the Doctor of Musical Arts degree at the Sydney Conservatorium of Music under the tutelage of Roger Benedict and Dr Goetz Richter. Recently she performed Alfred Hill’s Viola Concerto in Auckland. Charlotte is principal viola with Balmain Sinfonia.

Tickets:$25 / $20 conc. Available at the door or booking on-line  at www.balmainsinfonia.com