Contributed Article/Courtesy Gila Valley Arts Council
SAFFORD – Coming to Safford all the way from Denmark, the Gila Valley Arts Council is proud to present the Carion Wind Quintet on Feb. 12 at 7 p.m. at the David M. Player Center for the Arts.
Carion Wind Quintet is an award-winning Danish-Latvian ensemble that brings audiences a truly unique and innovative chamber music experience. Carion fascinates audiences with its carefully choreographed and dramatized performances of classical and modern works, making music on stage visible and adding a new dimension to traditional concert events.
Carion Wind Quintet’s trademark is its unusual way of presenting on stage: without music stands or chairs, there is space for nuanced choreography that adds a theatrical element to the music. Musical structures are visualized through steps, movements, and formations, and the distribution of roles within the instruments is made visible, inspiring and delighting audiences and critics alike.
Carion presents a varied and interesting repertoire. The ensemble is well founded in the established wind quintet works but has received the most favorable critique for their interpretation of Carl Nielsen, Jacques Ibert, Paul Hindemith, Pēteris Vasks, and especially the Six Bagatelles by György Ligeti. Carion has worked with contemporary composers like Jeppe Just, Renāte Stivriņa, Andris Dzenītis, Britta Byström, and Anders Nordentoft. One of the most notable and well-received projects of late has been Carion Tryptich – a concerto for Carion and symphony orchestra that saw a world premiere with the Latvian National Symphony Orchestra and Odense Symphony Orchestra. The innovative and colorful programming of the ensemble is made possible by the talent for arranging music for this wind quintet by CARION’s own horn player, David M.A.P. Palmquist.
Carion Wind Quintet has performed to critical acclaim in Europe’s most prestigious festivals, such as the BBC Proms, Rheingau Festival, Kissinger Sommer, Beethovenfest Bonn, Bergen Festival, and Helsinki Festival. Carion has also performed in Dubai and Japan. The ensemble has received first prizes at the Danish Radio Chamber Music Competition and the Marco Fiorindo Competition in Italy.
Carion collaborated with electronica guru Bjørn Svin, as well as legendary flutist Sir James Galway and the Leipziger Streichquartett.
Since Carion Wind Quintet’s formation in 2002, the ensemble has released five albums, receiving stellar reviews from Gramophone and BBC Music Magazine. Carion also presents its dynamic music videos on its YouTube channel, accumulating almost 4 million views.
Tickets are currently on sale at Richards Music, 928-428-2442, online at www.saffordcenterforthearts.com, or at the door. Adult ticket prices are only $15 or $20; are all reserved seating. GVAC is still proud to offer family-friendly prices for children and students for only $5.00 for all seating levels, premium or standard, in any section.
GVAC is able to keep its ticket prices low because of the support we receive from several sources. We graciously thank our member donors who join as supporting members every year. This school residency and public performance project was made possible by funding received from the Arizona Commission on the Arts, Creative West, and the National Endowment for the Arts. GVAC is also very grateful for the support received from the United Way of Graham and Greenlee Counties, Freeport McMoRan Corporation, and the Arizona Community Foundation of the Gila Valley.
