Music and prose at Pier 2/3 with the ACO and Bell Shakespeare

The Walsh Bay area is fast becoming one of Sydney’s most vibrant and self contained precincts, with its proximity to the city and stylish residential developments. A unique range of arts is emerging in the area, catering to the locals as well as to visitors who travel in to attend the theatre or savour the restaurants.

The Australian Chamber Orchestra is offering a new chamber music series at Pier 2/3 at Walsh Bay. Curated by ACO Principal Cellist Timo-Veikko Valve (Tipi) the concerts will be presented in the minimalist surroundings of Pier 2/3.

In an innovative performing partnership, the November concerts will be presented by the ACO in collaboration with the Bell Shakespeare Company.

He writes: “We hope to have our own venue at the Pier one day, so I guess we can call this a sort of house warming. The concerts will last just over an hour and there will be no interval, just time to freshen your drink between pieces. Instead of the audience politely sitting in rows, far away from the performers, at the Pier things will be different. The audience will surround the performers on all sides, as close as they dare. And I dare you to come close, so you hear us breathe and you see us sweat. We are going to be casual on stage and urge you to be too! ”

Beethoven’s String Quartet No 130, ‘Cavatina’ written in 1825, the year after the Symphony No 9, is a substantial work that breaks with convention containing 6 movements rather than the 4 that usually define the string quartet. It’s 5th movement was originally the mighty Grosse Fugue, which, after the work’s premiere, became the opus 133, substituted in the quartet by a simpler piece of writing.

Janáček’s String Quartet No.2, ‘Intimate Letters’ is based on the more than 700 love letters written between him and his muse, Kamila Stösslová. the quartet will perform it with a selection of these letters read by actors from the Bell Shakespeare Company.

Schumann’s String Quartet, Op.41, No.3 is the third of three which belong to his opus 41 from 1842, written as he was emerging from a particularly dark time after being snubbed at the court of Oldenburg, recourse to drink, and a separation from Clara as she toured.

Tickets: General admission and includes a complimentary drink.

Call 1800 444 444, Monday to Friday, 9am-5pm or visit http://www.aco.com.au/whats_on/event_detail/pier2/3

Co-presented with Bell Shakespeare
BEETHOVEN String Quartet, Op.130, Cavatina
JANÁČEK String Quartet No.2, Intimate Letters
SCHUMANN String Quartet, Op.41, No.3

Rebecca Chan,  Violin

Veronique Serret, Violin

Christopher Moore, Viola

Timo-Veikko Valve, Cello

Andrea Demetriades, Actor

William Zappa, Actor