The Scharoun Ensemble

national | arts and media | news report Saturday April 21, 2007 15:18 by Sean Crudden - impero sean at impero dot iol dot ie Jenkinstown, Dundalk, Co Louth. 087 9739945

Birthday Celebrations

The Scharoun Ensemble is composed of eight players all of whom are members of the Berlin Philhamonic orchestra.

Writing in the program for Thursday last’s concert in the National Concert Hall the German ambassador to Ireland, His Excellency Mr. Christian Pauls, said

"I am delighted to welcome the Scharoun Ensemble Berlin back to Ireland ……. I am pleased to welcome the Ensemble in the context, not only of Germany’s EU Council Presidency, but also of the celebration of the 50th anniversary of the signing of the treaties of Rome, which led both to the historic creation of the European Community, and the development of Europe as an emerging political, social and cultural entity."

The members of this lithe ensemble are Wolfram Brandl, violin; Micha Afkham, viola; Peter Riegelbauer, double bass; Stefan de Leval Jezierski, horn; Christoph Strueli, violin, Richard Duven, cello; Alexander Bader, clarinet; Markus Weidmann, bassoon.

Hakan Vramsmo (a native of Sweden) was the guest baritone.

The program was

Antonin Dvorak; Czech Suite in D major, Op. 39

Gustav Mahler; Songs of a Travelling Journeyman

INTERVAL

Ludwig Van Beethoven; Septet in E flat major, Op. 20

Encore; The slow movement from Schubert’s octet.

The bassoon and the clarinet were heard to particularly good effect in the first work.

Vramsmo proved to have a clear, well supported voice - slightly smoky but comfortable in the upper range and with excellent resonance in the lower range. He did not try to overpower the four songs but sought out, rather, their musical quality. The support from the Scharoun Ensemble was similarly intended and orchestral in effect.

The second half of this memorable concert was exquisitely realised. The touch was light with just a hint of assertiveness here and there.

The concert was promoted by the Limerick Music Association/Association of Music Lovers (LMA/AML) to celebrate its 40th anniversary. It was supported by the Embassy of the Federal Republic of Germany (to mark Germany’s EU Council presidency) and the Goethe-Institute Dublin. The recital was also supported under the Arts Council’s Small Festivals Scheme.

John A Ruddock, who is the leading light and organiser behind LMA/AML, deserves the thanks of all the 500 or so who attended this performance in the National Concert Hall (on Thursday 19 April 2007 commencing at 8.00 a.m.). The attendance included the Ceann Comhairle, Dr Ruari O’Hanlon and ambassadors from, at least, the following countries: Norway, Sweden, Australia as well as Germany.

John’s name appears, as principal organiser, on the program for a recital by the Berlin Philharmonic Octet in St Mary’s Cathedral, Limerick on Thursday 16 February 1967. That recital marked the birth of LMA.

I am grateful to John for his generous and ready help to me in writing this article.