Classical music online

The Cyprus Symphony Orchestra has revived its live concerts with a series of performances around the island titled Music from the Theatre of Cyprus, for a small number of audiences. The series’ second edition takes place at Larnaca Municipal Theatre, and this Saturday it will be streamed online for wider audiences all over Cyprus and beyond. Classical music lovers can tune into the orchestra’s YouTube channel at 7pm and enjoy a recording of the live concert from their homes.

For this concert, Orchestra (CySO) musicians are joined by two highly talented Cypriot artists, tubist Andreas Theocharous and the distinguished conductor Yiorgos Kountouris. Together they present a programme of two contemporary works and a classical symphony.

The opening piece is the music for the ballet Leda and the Swan by Constantin Papageorgio – a member of the CySO and composer. Here, the composer depicts the famous myth using impressionistic expressive means to create imagery and movement.

Next, the Concerto for tuba by the Norwegian composer Arild Plau, written in 1990 is presented. “It is a compelling work,” the Orchestra says, “whose middle movement is a tribute to the composer’s wife who had passed away.” The concerto was recorded in 2003 by tuba soloist and Plau’s compatriot Øystein Baadsvik. Ever since it has become a popular concert for tuba soloists and it features regularly in concerts and competitions.

The programme concludes with Joseph Haydn’s popular Clock Symphony no. 101 in D major, a work pervaded by heartfelt joy. The characteristic ticking rhythm that runs throughout its 2nd movement is responsible for its nickname ‘the Clock’!

Music from theatres of Cyprus 2

Streaming of a live concert by the Cyprus Symphony Orchestra. March 20. On the Orchestra’s YouTube channel. 7pm. Tel: 22-463135