Hans J Marter

23 June, 2008

CHROMA has done it again! The London ensemble treated 60 folk in the Lerwick Town Hall to a challenging mix of Russian classical music with works from Prokoviev and Stravinsky, on Thursday night.

It was the chamber ensembles fifth visit to the isles since their involvement with local composer Alistair Stout and his work Given Days, performed in Fair Isle and Lerwick in 2002.

Chroma was also involved in the knitting opera Odysseus Unwound, which feature Shetland knitters.

Ever since Chroma have been regular visitors to the isles making many friends not only by giving classical concerts but also through their work with pupils in the islands’ schools.

On Thursday as part of the Johnsmas Foy celebrations, Chroma played Prokoviev’s unusual quintet Op.39 and the Stravinsky’s famous Petrouchka ballet, alas without the dancing.

The quintet, originally written in 1923, is a quirky piece of music written for clarinet, oboe, violin, viola and double bass. In fact, it is so unusual no other composer has ever tried to write music for such a set up.

Prokoviev, living in Paris at the time, had been asked to write music for a ballet. However, the ensemble that provided the accompaniment to the troupe only contained five members.

After a short break, the ensemble managed to transform the town hall into an imaginary ballet stage.

They added Ian Watson on accordion to their quintet, as well as ensemble manager Claire Shovelton to read what the ballet dancers would have performed.

This arrangement worked extremely well and confirmed Chroma’s long standing reputation as a dynamic, creative and innovative chamber ensemble.

Chroma is Stuart King on clarinet, Michael O’Donnell on Oboe, Deborah White on violin, Rose Redgrave on viola and Elena Hull on double bass.

At the weekend, Chroma were back on Fair Isle where their long relationship with Shetland started six years ago.