About
The Edinburgh University String Orchestra is on Tour in Northern Ireland and will be performing a free concert in St Mary's Star of the Sea Church in Rostrevor at 19:30 on Thursday 30th May. Doors open at 19:00. The programme includes Serenade for Strings by Dag Wirén, Saint Sophia by Catriona Price and Dvořák's American String Quartet. It will last about an hour and there is no need to book.
Now over 30 years old, we are the University of Edinburgh's only string ensemble, consisting of students from across a range of disciplines. As well as playing a wide range of music in our semesterly concerts, we regularly go on tour, where, aside from our public audience concerts, we perform at schools, community centres and care homes. Past destinations include Skye and the Lake District.
The Serenade is a cheerful and charming piece in four movements. After opening with a bright prelude, the second movement is full of expressive pizzicato melodies. This is followed by a gallopy scherzo and finally a march, contrasting crunchy rhythms with slinky melodies.
Saint Sophia is a musical message of Solidarity from Scotland to the people of Ukraine. Composed after Russia's invasion in 2022, the piece explores themes of fragility, fragmentation and hope. It starts off as a Scottish air, and builds using rhythmic motifs from Ukrainian folk music. We performed the piece in our Winter Concert last year, and we had the pleasure of having the composer visit us during rehearsals to help us understand her intentions.
Taking inspiration from folk music again, Dvořák's American Quartet opens with a joyful and famous theme on the violas. The second movement contains a passionate melody in the style of an African-American spiritual. After a sprightly scherzo inspired by birdsong, the piece concludes with a movement that emulates the excitement of a train journey.
Our conductor is Tim Espin, who has been a member of the orchestra for a long time, and has recently founded and conducted his own orchestra, the Aurora Ensemble.
Facilities
Accessibility
- All areas accessible to disabled visitors
Guide Prices
| Ticket Type | Ticket Tariff |
|---|---|
| Ticket | Free |
Please contact the organiser for any further information that's required.
