Stamitz and Boccherini; with Eric Hoeprich, clarinet.
The Fall 2008 concert series at Columbia University's Italian Academy will present three concerts by the period-instrument ensemble The Grand Tour Orchestra led by flutist Charles Brink. The Grand Tour Orchestra was founded in 2006 in New York. The New York Times wrote of the Orchestra's first season at the Italian Academy that year that the musicians were “willing and energetic, playing with an involved enthusiasm.” The Orchestra specializes in music of the late 18th century.
The players who form the nucleus of The Grand Tour Orchestra are highly regarded in both the modern and period-instrument scenes and can be heard around the US: concertmaster Claire Jolivet, Andrea Schultz, Theresa Salomon, Amelia Roosevelt, Marika Holmqvist and Owen Dalby, violin; Jessica Troy and Alissa Smith, viola; Loretta O'Sullivan and Lindy Clarke, 'cello; John Feeney, bass; Gonzalo Ruiz and Sarah Davol, oboe; RJ Kelly and Alexandra Cook, horn.
Music Director Charles Brink has specialized in18th-century music since 1997. He has played, toured and recorded with many ensembles in Europe and the United States - The Amsterdam Baroque Orchestra, his own Bouts Ensemble, The Four Nations Ensemble, Ensemble Rebel, the New York Collegium and the Hannoverische Hofkapelle to name but a few. His flute playing has been critically acclaimed in The New York Times, the Mainzer Zeitung, and the Hessischer Zeitung among others. Mr. Brink has recorded for the EMI, Raumklang, ASV labels as well as German and Dutch Radio and Television. Mr. Brink also served as co-music director in the 2004 Opera da camera Linz production of Handel's Ariodante. His research into and love for the music of the pre-classical and classical periods led him to found the Grand Tour Orchestra.
Wednesday, December 3, 2008 at 8 p.m.
Johann Wenzel Stamitz (1717 - 1757): Clarinet Concerto in B-flat, with Eric Hoeprich, clarinet
Luigi Boccherini (1743 - 1805): Octet (Notturno) in G Major, Op 38, No. 4;
- Symphony in D minor "La casa del diavolo" For the last 20 years, Eric Hoeprich has been the world's leading exponent and virtuoso of the historical clarinet. He has made countless recordings and has appeared all over the world both as soloist and chamber musician. On December 3, 2008 he joins The Grand Tour Orchestra to perform Johann Stamitz' Concerto in B-flat. The remainder of this program is devoted to the music of Luigi Boccherini; his elegant Octet in G-Major and his diabolical Symphony in D Minor "La casa del diavolo." Both Stamitz and Boccherini, the Bohemian and the Italian, had tremendous success at that most French of 18th century concert series; Paris' Concert Spirituel.
