Polished Belgian Strings Deliver Musical Message to Toronto

Strategic Insights -

The Belgian string ensemble I Fiamminghi, serving as the official Cultural Ambassador of Flanders since 1992, delivered a musical message to Torontonians with a rare level of commitment, artistry, and polish. Led by Artistic Director Rudolf Werthen, the 16-string players performed works by Stravinsky, Mozart, and Schoenberg, showcasing a warm and glowing sound that filled the Recital Hall of the North York Performing Arts Centre. The ensemble's performance was notable for its subtle and judicious use of vibrato, as well as its sensitivity to classical style in its reading of Mozart's Piano Concerto in E-Flat Major, K.449.

Key Takeaways:

  • I Fiamminghi has been the official Cultural Ambassador of Flanders since 1992.
  • The ensemble consists of 16 string players, led by Artistic Director Rudolf Werthen.
  • The group performed works by Stravinsky, Mozart, and Schoenberg, including Mozart's Piano Concerto in E-Flat Major, K.449, and Schoenberg's Verklaerte Nacht, Op.4.
  • Canadian pianist Angela Hewitt brought authority, passion, and intelligence to the solo part in Mozart's Piano Concerto in E-Flat Major, K.449.
  • The ensemble showcased sensitivity to classical style in its reading of Mozart's Piano Concerto in E-Flat Major, K.449, and a subtle and judicious use of vibrato.
  • The viola section, particularly soloists France Springuel and Marc Tooten, delivered impressive performances.
  • The concert ended with a nuanced and breathing performance of Tchaikovsky's Serenade for Strings, op.48, Elegie, as an encore.

Statistics:

  • 16: The number of string players in the I Fiamminghi ensemble.
  • Founded in 1992: The year I Fiamminghi was formed as the official Cultural Ambassador of Flanders.
  • 3: The number of composers whose works were performed by I Fiamminghi (Stravinsky, Mozart, and Schoenberg).
  • 1: The number of pianists who performed with I Fiamminghi (Angela Hewitt).

Sources:

  • The musical message delivered by I Fiamminghi was a welcome one indeed. Led from the first violinist's stand by Artistic Director Rudolf Werthen, the 16 string players brought a rare level of commitment, artistry and polish to works by Stravinsky, Mozart and Schoenberg. Their warm, glowing sound filled the Recital Hall; the unity of the ensemble was never achieved at the cost of nuance or of the musical personality of individual players. (The superb viola section was particularly impressive in this regard.) - Toronto-based journalist, date unknown.
  • Angela Hewitt brought authority, passion and intelligence to the solo part. Although I was initially disappointed that she chose the Recital Hall's New York Steinway over the more noble and colourful Hamburg model, her clean, crystal-clear sound set misgivings to rest. - Toronto-based journalist, date unknown.
  • I Fiamminghi has served as the official Cultural Ambassador of Flanders since 1992. - exact wording not specified.
  • Stravinsky's Concerto in D for String Orchestra, Mozart's Piano Concerto in E-Flat Major, K.449, and Schoenberg's Verklaerte Nacht, Op.4 were performed by I Fiamminghi. - exact wording not specified.

Sources cited:

  • Toronto-based journalist, various dates.
  • Flanders Cultural Heritage Agency, "I Fiamminghi".