Shining Visions ‘Illuminate’ new ARCO album

Radiance, enlightenment, illustration…the word ‘illuminate’ covers a rainbow of meanings, and the newest album from the Australian Romantic & Classical Orchestra embodies them all.

Conducted by Rachael Beesley, with soprano soloist Jacqueline Porter, and recorded live at City Recital Hall, Sydney, ‘Illuminate’ shines a light on three works by Bruch, Britten and Tchaikovsky, painting vivid colours with period string instruments and the visceral emotion of historically informed performance (HIP).

The album releases on 16 August, available for digital download or streaming on all major platforms.

“’Illuminate’ is a brilliant program that expands our repertoire into the late 19th and early 20th centuries, captivating audiences with new insights,” says conductor and co-artistic director Rachael Beesley.

ROMANTIC REPERTOIRE, RARE ARRANGEMENTS

Featured on the album are three iconic Romantic and early Modernist composers, seen in a sparkling new light. Max Bruch (1838-1920), known so well for his Violin Concerto No.1, here shows his love for folk music in the bucolic Serenade on Swedish Melodies, influenced by a march, dance and lyrical love songs.

The Souvenir de Florence Op.70 by Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky (1840-1893) captures the lilt of Russian folk tunes, here in full string orchestra version.

But the centrepiece of ‘Illuminate’ is the title work: ‘Les Illuminations’ Op.18 by Benjamin Britten (1913-1976). This beloved song cycle set to mystical poetry by Arthur Rimbaud, later sung by a tenor soloist, was originally written for Britten’s friend, soprano Sophie Wyss. Now ARCO spotlights that original version with the golden voice of Jacqueline Porter, exploring the ecstatic emotion that the 25-year-old Britten poured into these 14 miniatures glowing like medieval visions.

PERIOD STRINGS, SHIMMERING EMOTION

“During this period of Romantic lyricism, musicians were known for their individuality of spirit and expressivity,” explains Beesley, one of Australia’s foremost violinists and HIP experts. “They used a faster and narrower vibrato, prominent portamento (sliding between notes) and legato bow strokes. They often modified tempo and rhythm to highlight the intricate rhetorical interplay between the music and ideas.”

Exploring early recordings and treatises of the time, Beesley, Porter and the musicians of the Australian Romantic & Classical Orchestra put these Romantic techniques into stunning play in ‘Illuminate.’

The result is an album of fresh creativity and deep emotional colour that brings the composers’ intentions – and turbulent time period – to life.

If art illuminates life, then in their new album ARCO illuminates this art in rich, shining visions.

TRACK LISTING

Max Bruch (1838-1920)

Serenade on Swedish Melodies
I. Marsch: Allegro moderato
II. Andante
III. Allegro
IV. Andante sostenuto
V. Marsch: Allegro moderato

Benjamin Britten (1913-1976)

‘Les Illuminations’ Op.18
I. Fanfare
II. Villes
III. Phrase - Antique
IV. Royauté
V. Marine
VI. Interlude
VII. Being beauteous
VIII. Parade
IX. Départ

Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky (1840-1893)

Souvenir de Florence Op.70
I. Allegro con spirito
II. Adagio cantabile e con moto
III. Allegro moderato
IV. Allegro con brio e vivace (FREE PREVIEW TRACK)

Australian Romantic & Classical Orchestra
Rachael Beesley, conductor
Jacqueline Porter, soprano

Illuminate is available as digital download purchase and on all streaming platforms from 16 August, 2024.