Peter Roennfeldt and Friends performing with the Streicher piano
Milestones and Miniatures is the title of Peter’s next chamber music recital. The performance takes place at the Basil Jones Orchestral Hall of Queensland Conservatorium GriffithUniversity, 140 Grey Street South Bank, on Sunday 29 May at 3pm.
The program features Peter’s Streicher piano, which was built in Vienna in 1843. This fine instrument is ideal for the music of Johannes Brahms and his contemporaries. In fact, Brahms himself owned one of these pianos!
Longstanding colleagues, who are also involved in historically informed performance practices, will be appearing with Peter: Margaret Connolly and Wayne Brennan (violins), Nicholas Tomkin (viola) and Daniel Curro (cello). Well-known mezzo soprano Anne Fulton will feature in selected vocal items.
The program culminates with the monumental Piano Quintet in F minor Op.34 by Brahms, dating from 1864. That same year, he composed a heartfelt song for two of his close friends, the violinist Joseph Joachim and his wife Amalie, a contralto. Twenty years later Brahms added another and published both as his Two songs Op.91 for mezzo soprano with viola obbligato.
A further gesture of collegiality by Brahms was his support of the early career of Antonin Dvorak, for whom he provided an introduction to the publishing firm of Simrock. One of Dvorak’s first works to appear under this imprint was the charming set of Bagatelles Op.47, in 1878. It is scored for the unusual combination harmonium (or piano) and string trio, without viola.
Also featured on this program are two short pieces by the Brisbane composer Percy Brier. The song Love’s Reverie appeared just months before his marriage in 1915, while the Serenade for Viola was first performed by the composer in 1911 with the highly versatile local musician, Alfred Sleath.
Milestones and Miniatures symbolises the spirit of mutual support and collegiality amongst musicians – the essential ingredient for inspiring performances of chamber music.
Bookings are now open by phone (07) 136 246 or online at QTIX Ticketing
