ST Mary’s Cathedral is set to resonate with the lush string sounds of our State’s elite orchestra.
The West Australian Symphony Orchestra’s string players are launching the 2012 Chamber Series – one-hour afternoon chamber concerts – with season opener, Mendelssohn & Mustonen.
Relishing another opportunity to perform among the hallowed surrounds is associate principal (second) violinist and Mullaloo resident Zak Rowntree.
“I performed a baroque concert here a couple of years ago and it was packed,” he said. “It’s nice for us to play different venues with different acoustics.”
The church – which underwent a multi-million dollar renovation from 2006 to 2009 – possesses a striking blend of original 1865-built architecture and a dynamic new extension, making it an inspiring performance space.
“It’s an amazing build and actually very modern – it’s imposing to come in and look at the high ceilings and beautiful stained glass windows,” he said.
“I couldn’t believe how it looked when I first saw it (after the renovation).”
Rowntree – who comes from a musical family – joined WASO in 1998, having first picked up the violin at the age of nine.
A typical week at WASO involves five hours of rehearsals each day from Tuesday to Friday, concert performances on Friday and Saturday nights and private practice on Sunday and Monday.
“People add up the hours and say, ‘oh, you have such a cushy life’, but you’re meant to come to your first rehearsal on a Tuesday knowing all the notes. It’s then the conductor’s job to make sure everyone is playing together with the sound he or she wants.”
- WASO’s Mendelssohn & Mustonen is at St Mary’s Cathedral on March 30 at 2pm. Tickets through WASO or BOCS.