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REHEARSALS are in full swing for the Bahrain Chamber Orchestra’s first concert entitled ‘Music for a summer evening’, which will be held later this month at the Cultural Hall.
The orchestra, formed by Bahrain-based teacher David Hlawiczka, comprises of 17 musicians who will perform music from the Baroque and Classical orchestral repertoire and chamber works from any era.
Many of the players are teachers and musicians from Sar Music Centre whose numbers have been swelled by musicians from throughout Bahrain and Saudi Arabia.
Musical director and leader David said: “I have been rehearsing this orchestra for more than eight months although some of its members are relatively new!
“The aim is to give concerts without a conductor in and around Bahrain. But, in this case, as Luke Delagrano is leaving the island for a job in Vietnam in August, I thought it might be a nice gesture to ask him to conduct the Mozart symphony.
“We have been rehearsing since before Christmas but were unable to perform because of the Don Giovanni opera production and then later the political situation here in Bahrain.
“It will be the first piece and is orchestrated for strings, two horns and two flutes. Luke will also be joining us on the clarinet later in the programme.”
David is a ‘musician in residence’ at Sar Music Centre where he teaches mainly violin but also piano and guitar. The 39-year-old has been Concertmaster with the Amman Symphony Orchestra in Jordan as well as a violinist with Opera North and the Algarve Orchestra.
Lydia Martin, director of Sar Music Centre, said she hoped the concert and future events would boost the kingdom’s cultural scene. “This concert will hopefully be the start of much collaboration between the Culture Hall and Sar Music Centre, who intend to bring opportunities for students and professional musicians to play at this prestigious venue,” she said.
“Thanks go to Khalid Al Rowaie and Abdulqader Aqeel of the Culture Hall for their support.”
The ‘Music for a summer evening’ performance takes place at the Cultural Hall near Bahrain National Museum on Friday June 17 at 7.30pm. All are welcome and a donation will be made to charitable organisations, particularly to help victims of the tsunami in Japan.
Tickets will be available on the door for BD6 or purchased in advance from Sar Music Centre. Call 17794898/38312600 for more details.
