World-famous ensemble to perform at Three Rivers

POPLAR BLUFF - Music fans of all ages will have the chance of a lifetime to hear one of the most prestigious ensembles in the world as the renowned Academy of St. Martin in the Fields from London arrives in Southeast Missouri.

The 20-piece Academy of St. Martin in the Fields orchestra will perform in concert at Three Rivers Community College in Poplar Bluff on Wednesday, April 12. The amazing night of music will begin at 7 p.m. in the Tinnin Fine Arts Center on the college campus.

The 20-piece Academy of St. Martin in the Fields shares billing as one of the two most accomplished orchestras in the world, renowned for a "finely incisive" technique that combines "grace and verve." Founded in 1958 by famed British musician Sir Neville Marriner, the ensemble has garnered praise throughout the world.

Its name comes from London's Trafalgar Square and the St. Martin-in-the-Fields Church, in which its first concert was performed, on Nov. 13, 1959. The initial performances at St. Martin's church were as a small, conductor-less string group, and played a key role in the revival of baroque performances in the world. It has since expanded to include woodwind instruments, but is of flexible size, changing its make-up to suit its repertoire, which ranges from the Baroque to contemporary works.

Demand for the Academy, particularly in the recording studio, soon began to grow as did the size of the orchestra and the repertoire it performed. Eventually Marriner was forced to put down his violin and take up the conductor's baton, but the collegiate spirit and flexibility of the original small, conductorless ensemble remains an Academy hallmark.

Leading the ensemble in concert in Poplar Bluff will be violinist Julian Rachlin. Rachlin is one of the most charismatic and exciting violinists of his generation. He has performed with most of the world's leading orchestras and conductors and is praised for his powerful and refreshing interpretations. He continually brings audiences to their feet in top concert halls throughout the world where his performances result in immediate re-invitations.

The program for the April 12 concert includes selections from some of the world's most renowned composers -- Grieg, Beethoven, Schubert and Piazzolla.

*The Holberg Suite is an example of 19th century music which makes use of musical styles and forms from the preceding century. Though originally composed for the piano, the version most well known today is the arrangement by the composer for string orchestra, which is the version to be featured in the Poplar Bluff concert.

*The Violin Sonata No. 2 in A major by Beethoven was written in 1797-98 and dedicated to one of Beethoven's contemporaries, Antonio Salieri. Their relationship as competing composers was highlighted in the movie, "Amadeus."

*The Sonata in A minor for Arpeggione and Piano, was written by Schubert in Vienna in November1864. The piece is the only substantial composition for the argeggion, a bowed guitar-like instrument invented just the previous year.

*The Four Seasons of Buenos Aires, are a set of four tango compositions written by Astor Piazzolla. which were originally conceived and treated as different compositions rather than one suite, although Piazzolla performed them together from time to time. The first composition, Buenos Aires Summer, was written in 1964, with the last selection, Buenos Aires Winter, completed in 1970.

Tickets for the April 12 concert by the Academy of St. Martins in the Fields are $10 and are available at the Greater Poplar Bluff Area Chamber of Commerce, the Rutland Library on the Three Rivers campus, or by credit card by calling the College Advancement Office at 573-840-9495. Tickets may also be available at the door the night of the performance.