Tag: orchestra

Shchedryk – SATB Choir + Orchestra

by Ben Clapton, posted in Arrangements, Videos

Discover the enchanting rendition of the Ukrainian folk song ‘Shchedryk’ by Ben Clapton, now available for SATB Choir and orchestra at Joyful Noise Music Studio. With a beautifully crafted orchestral introduction, this arrangement brings a fresh perspective to this beloved classic.

Originally performed by the Metropolitan Symphony Orchestra, Perth, alongside the Echoes of Ukraine choir, this adaptation retains the authenticity of the original Cyrillic lyrics while offering a convenient transliteration for ease of singing. Dive into the heartfelt harmonies and cultural resonance of ‘Shchedryk,’ a timeless piece that beautifully merges tradition with innovation.

Ideal for choral groups seeking a unique addition to their repertoire or orchestras aiming to evoke emotions through music, this arrangement invites performers to explore the beauty and depth of Ukrainian folk melodies. Experience the charm of ‘Shchedryk’ through Ben Clapton’s skillful arrangement—a musical journey that honours tradition while embracing contemporary expression.”

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Performance

Shchedryk will be performed on February 25, 2024 at the Metropolitan Symphony Orchestra’s 2024 Young Artists Gala at Government House Ballroom, Perth, with MetSO and the Echoes of Ukraine choir. For more information and tickets, visit the MetSO website.

2024 Metropolitan Symphony Orchestra Young Artists Gala

by Ben Clapton, posted in Performances

Sunday February 25, 3:00pm
Government House Ballroom

Featuring MetSO Young Artists and the Metropolitan Symphony Orchestra and MetSO Chamber Ensembles.

Repertoire to include a performance of Shchedryk arranged for Orchestra and Choir by Ben Clapton.

For more information, see the MetSO Website.

MetSO Young Artists Gala

by Ben Clapton, posted in Performances

The Metropolitan Symphony Orchestra (MetSO) is holding their Young Artists Gala concert at Government House Ballroom on Sunday February 26. This special event will feature the talented MetSO Young Artists in solo performances, the MetSO Wind ensemble performing Strauss’ Serenade in E flat Major, Op. 7, and the world premiere of the “Karrinyup Fanfare” composed by MetSO Concertmaster Ben Clapton.

The concert showcases the talents of the MetSO Young Artists who have performed with the orchestra in 2022 and will now take the spotlight by themselves. The orchestra will also be announcing their new MetSO Young Artists, as well as celebrating new life memberships awarded by the orchestra’s patron, His Excellency the Honourable Chris Dawson APM, 34th Governor of Western Australia.

In addition, the MetSO Winds will perform the Serenade in E Flat Major, Op. 7 by Richard Strauss, one of the most celebrated composers of the romantic era. The ensemble, made up of flutes, oboes, clarinets, bassoons, horns and tuba will bring to life the rich, complex textures and harmonies of Strauss’ music.

The concert will open with the world premiere of the Karrinyup Fanfare, a new composition by MetSO Concertmaster Ben Clapton. This exciting new work inspired by the orchestra’s history and future will be an exciting way to start an afternoon that celebrates local talent.

Don’t miss this opportunity to hear the exceptional musicians of the MetSO in concert at the Government House Ballroom. Tickets are limited, so act now to experience the beauty and power of live classical music.

Head to the MetSO Website for ticketing and more details.

MetSO Young Artists Gala
February 26, 3pm
Government House Ballroom, Perth

Karrinyup Fanfare

by Ben Clapton, posted in Compositions
shallow focus photo of kangaroo
Photo by Ethan Brooke on Pexels.com

2022 was a year that sparked inspiration for me. I am not talking about just one spark either, but a series that beautifully led me to the creation of my piece. After seeing the 2022 MetSO program it was evident that it lightly using the Brass players, and I knew they were feeling a bit underutilised. Which sparked the first idea in my mind to write a piece that would take full advantage of their skills, and heavily use brass instruments. The program coincided with the 45th Anniversay of the Orchestra which started it life as the Karrinyup Symphony Orchestra. Rekindling the orchestra’s relationship with the City of Stirling and returning to the City of Stirling as a rehearsal venue in 2023, was another spark of inspiration which led me towards the piece’s naming… the ‘Karrinyup Fanfare’. The last spark of inspiration was a query inside my mind. The opening of the piece contrasts two somewhat conflicting meanings of the word Karrinyup. During an Aboriginal Studies unit, I discovered that Karrinyup is a Noongar word that translates to “the place where there are spiders”. However, this differs from the City of Stirling official meaning of the name Karrinyup on the website. It states the word means “the place where Kangaroos drink”, possibly because it sounds much more pleasant and doesn’t inspire the fear that spiders often do. It was this contrary interpretation of the word ‘Karrinyup’ which provided the final spark of inspiration I needed for this composition. You see, when you listen to the opening, the theme jumps up and down through the horns, and represents the Kangaroo – Yongka. Whilst as the fanfare continues, you will notice the second theme – the crawling strings represent the spider – Kar. I hope you enjoy it as much as I did creating it. May it, and this new year, spark inspiration for you.

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The Last Night of the Proms

by Ben Clapton, posted in blog

A number of years ago, I was planning the trip of a lifetime. I was going to fly to England, find a backpackers or something near Paddington, and go to as many Proms concerts as I could. The Proms are something so uniquely Brittish, but even more so is the traditional Last Night of the Proms.

Continue reading “The Last Night of the Proms” →

MetSO Summer Concert

by Ben Clapton, posted in Performances

Ben is a member of MetSO, and will be performing as part of their upcoming concert, which features Tchaikovsky Favourites – March Slav, The Nutcracker Suite, and Symphony number 3 (The Polish). This will be a fantastic concert, but tickets will go quick.

MetSO’s Tchaikovsky Favourites
Sunday 13 December, 5pm
Rixon Theatre, Penhros College
Details and Tickets

On This Day… October 16

by Ben Clapton, posted in Archive, Music, On This Day

In my most recent WA Youth Orchestra concert, we performed the piece that we look at today. Our conductor talked about the special moments that we could have in our musical careers, and the Last movement of this symphony was one of them. Tchaikovsky’s Pathetique, Symphony Number 6, premiered on this day in 1893. Continue reading “On This Day… October 16” →

On This Day… October 15

by Ben Clapton, posted in Archive, Music, On This Day

Today we look at a piece that did a lot to introduce the magnificent instrument of the orchestra to young people. It also ended up being one of his most popular works. Benjamin Britten’s <em>The Young Person’s Guide to the Orchestra</em>, premiered on this day in 1946.<!–more–>

Originally written as accompanying music for a BBC documentary <em>Instruments of the Orchestra</em>, it was actually premiered on this day by the Liverpool Philharmonic Orchestra in 1946 (the documentary used the London Symphony Orchestra, and was premiered on the 29th of November, 1946). Britten started composing this work in mid-December, 1945, and continued writing up to midnight, New Years Eve, 1945.

The piece itself consists of a theme (from Purcell’s <em>Abdelazar</em>) and variations, with each variation introducing a new instrument, and a final fugue in which all the instruments are put together. The instruments are introduced by family – winds, strings, brass and percussion. The fugue is based on an original theme, and once every instrument has entered, the brass are used to return Purcell’s original motive.

There are two different versions, one with narration and one without. The narration was written by Britten’s friend Eric Crozier, and designed to be spoken by the conductor or a separate narrator.

Today we have a performance by the London Symphony Orchestra, with Michael Tilson Thomas conducting.

Did you like the performance? Do you prefer this, or other popular children’s pieces such as Saint-Saens’ Carnival of the Animals, or Prokofiev’s Peter and the Wolf? Let me know in the comments, or write a post on your own blog, linking back to this post, and I’ll add a link below.

On This Day… October 1

by Ben Clapton, posted in Archive, Music, On This Day

The composer we look at today was very specific in his desires, throwing out many compositions which has reduced the amount of works that we can attribute to him. However, those that do survive we can be assured that they are the best quality. Today, we look at French composer, Paul Dukas. Continue reading “On This Day… October 1” →