To all Amigos
From Helga Hampton
Date: 5 March 2013
Dear Friends,
In the afterglow of the two great February concerts that we were privileged to be given by the young Finnish pianist, Juho Pohjonen, let me today whet your appetite for the next offerings. But before I do so, I should very much like to share with you, especially those many Amigos who were able to come in February, some behind-the-scene titbits: Juho confided in me before leaving the Algarve that these two concerts were the first in his entire career that he played completely without having the score in front of him. How come, I asked: “I liked very much the intimacy of your venue which made me feel secure and inspired me to live up to your expectations.” Lovely, eh? And here I quote from the mail he later sent from England where he is playing with different symphony orchestras: “I”m having a good time in the UK — the concert halls are great here and the pianos wonderful. Though, I think it will be quite a challenge for the local audiences to match the level of sophistication found in Algarve. What I really loved about your series was that you had an audience who was there for the music and not for the show!”
From UK he is going to the States to play Messiaen at Carnegie Hall, inter alia. I think we shall certainly try to invite Juho again.
So on to March: On Wednesday the 13th and Saturday 16th we shall be entertained by the trio
“A Piacere”; three musicians working in Lisbon – the Italian pianist Daniela Ignazzitto, the French cellist Catherine Strynckx and the Portuguese clarinettist Nuno Silva – who have prepared for us a programme of music with a difference. Besides two trio works
by Beethoven and Brahms, the Arpeggione by Schubert and other duos by Rezso, Ginastera, Bach and Schumann, we shall be treated to a trio by Nino Rota, he of Federico Fellini film-music fame, and a solo piano “Notturno” by Ottorino Respighi. Daniela Ignazzitto added this piece to the programme last week when it became known that Lya de Barberiis, the grande dame of music in Italy, had died at the age of 92 on February 22nd. She wants to dedicate this piece to her much loved teacher and mentor.
In addition to this diversity, we are offered a world premiere! “A Piacere” will be concluding their programme with a Trio for clarinet, cello and piano by Sergio Azevedo, composed
in memory of his teacher, Constanca Capdeville. This prolific Portuguese composer plans to be present for the occasion at CCSL on March 16th. What wonderful things are happening for us!
And if this was not enough good news, let me tell you that Marie Huber is convalescing very well after her heart surgery and is planning to return to the Algarve before the end of March.
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Please make your reservations soon for these concerts – preferably via email to ccsl@iol.pt.
And should you then find out that you cannot come for some reason or other, PLEASE ADVISE US OF THAT FACT. At the last concerts we
sent people away and then had some empty Amigo chairs gaping – very embarrassing.
Some Amigos PR matters: In order to advertise our concerts, we produce an informative, illustrated poster each month that is placed strategically in various places, like the Apolonia bulletin board and the gates at CCSL. Do you know of another spot(s) where we could spread our good news?? Please let Margaret know.
April concert dates are April 10th and 13th, 2013 when we welcome the guitarist Craig Ogden.
See you at the next concerts,
Helga Hampton
helga.hampton@btinternet.com