Violin Sonata #1 in G minor, BWV 1001 (1720) - Johann Sebastian Bach

1) Adagio

2) Fuga (Allegro)

3) Siciliana

4) Presto

In 1720, Bach completed a set of 6 Sonatas and Partitas for solo violin. Although they weren’t published during his lifetime, they came to be an essential part of the violin core repertoire; most conservatoire violinists will need to tackle at least a movement from this beautiful work.

The violin is usually known as a solo line instrument, playing soaring melodies over an orchestra. However, Bach provides another way of thinking in these works – the violin must provide both melody, countermelody and harmony simultaneously.

The second and third movement (Fugue & Siciliana) of this work is most indicative of this concept, with the violinist having to play up to four voices at certain points! The outer movements, (Adagio & Presto) provide opposite ends of the tempo scale – the Adagio solemnly introducing the audience to G minor, with the Presto ending on a fiery note.

Program Note © Julia Hill

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Three Romances for Violin + Piano, Op. 22 (1853) - Clara Schumann

1) Andante molto

2) Allegretto

3) Leidenschaftlich schnell

The Op. 22 Three Romances were one of the last works Clara Schumann ever composed. Robert Schumann passed in 1856 and from 1854 onwards, Clara became primarily occupied with caring for her mentally unwell husband, and upon his passing, was a primary exponent for his work on the concert stage. All three romances are deeply lush and embody the essence of romanticism. Written for the violinist Joseph Joachim, they were very well-recieved at the premiere performance and became immediately popular. Each romance gains in speed and tempest. They chart a slow journey through decriptive territory, twisting and turning through a captivating musical discourse.

Program Note © Alex Raineri

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Butterflying (2003) - Elena Kats-Chernin

Originally a song for children about flying in one's dreams, this lyrical piece tries never to touch the ground. The main motive was also used in the Rugby 2003 World Cup opening ceremomy in a version for full orchestra.

Program Note © Elena Kats-Chernin

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Sonata for Violin + Piano, FP 119 (1942-43) - Francis Poulenc

1) Allegro con fuoco

2) Intermezzo

3) Presto tragico

Francis Poulenc did not like the violin. His composition of the Sonata for Violin + Piano can largely be attributed to the insistence of the violinist Ginette Neveu who premiered the work in 1943 in Paris. Neveu was also responsible for collaborating with Poulenc in sculpting the violin part into its published user-friendly state. Despite Poulenc's sourness towards the violin, this is a work imbued with moments of great pathos and beauty, balanced with a sarcastic musical dryness and intentional ugliness - a musical 'beauty and the beast'. Many moments of the work are undeniably weird, its musically oddities all too quickly sweeping into lush melodies or sweeping cascades of virtuosity. The music plays a balancing act between the sublime and the ridiculous. A strange, but extremely lovable piece of chamber music.

Program Note © Alex Raineri

Recent recipient of the prestigious New Colombo Plan Scholarship, violinist Julia Hill has flourished into passionate performer of classical music. Guided by former Arditti String Quartet violinist, Graeme Jennings, she was appointed Concertmaster of the Curro Chamber Orchestra at the Australian Youth Orchestra’s National Music Camp 2020 and has achieved an Award with Distinction on her Licentiate of Music, Australia. In December 2020, Julia graduated from a Bachelor of Music from Queensland Conservatorium Griffith University with distinction.

Since moving to Brisbane in 2018 from Hervey Bay, Julia has enjoyed many musical engagements including being appointed Principal Second Violin in Queensland Youth Symphony 2019, and performing alongside professionals in national ensemble, Southern Cross Soloists. In 2019, she performed as a soloist alongside the Indooroopilly Chamber Orchestra and the Sunshine Coast Symphony Orchestra and is looking forward to playing Beethoven’s Romance no. 2 in F major with the Brisbane Concert Orchestra this year. Additionally, she will be curating a series of concerts with emerging ensemble, the Jacaranda String Quartet, and will perform as part of the Brisbane Music Festival as a young artist.

With a 2020 New Colombo Plan Scholarship, Julia has turned to overseas study to propel her love for music. In 2022, she will undertake study, internships and language training in Japan. During her program, she will investigate the role music plays in Japan’s society and is looking forward to collaborating with Japanese musicians and educators as part of her Honours thesis.