Classical Sundays
CHAMBER CONCERT SERIES
of the Croatian National Theatre in Zagreb and the Zagreb Philharmonic Orchestra
Sundays at 11 am in the foyer of the Croatian National Theatre in Zagreb
Average concert duration: approximately 50 minutes
ZAGREB PHILHARMONIC BRASS QUINTET
Mario Lončar, trumpet
Peter Firšt, trumpet
Yevhen Churikov, horn
Mario Šincek, trombone
Krunoslav Babić, tuba
Renato Palatinuš, percussion
Programme:
Thomas Stevens: Igor’s Dance
Anders Sondh: Danses d’ailleurs
Leonard Bernstein: Dance Suite
1. Dancisca
2. Waltz
3. Bi-Tango
4. Two-Step
5. MTV
Giancarlo Castro D’Addona: Brass Quintet No. 1 – Stories of Legend
1. The Knight of the Hill
2. The Maid of the Grey Castle
3. The Battle on Mount Fires
4. Victory Party
Kerry Turner: Ricochet
Arturo Márquez, arr. Chris Van Hof: Danzón No. 2, for brass quintet and percussion
Within both contemporary and classical brass repertoire, this programme highlights the impressive expressive range and technical demands brought by the Zagreb Philharmonic Brass Quintet in their debut concert. The opening work, Thomas Stevens’s Igor’s Dance, is a virtuosic parody of the Ballerina’s Dance from the ballet Petrushka by Igor Stravinsky. Here, the brass quintet captures rhythmic elements characteristic of the composer’s style from that period, while the main theme is drawn from the very first bar of the trumpet part in the original 1911 version of Petrushka.
The piece Danses d’ailleurs by Swedish composer Anders Sondh belongs to the contemporary repertoire for wind orchestras and ensembles. Inspired by dances from different parts of the world (“dances from elsewhere”), it evokes diverse cultures (Latin American, African, Mediterranean) through contrasting rhythms, melodies and tonal colours.
The concert continues with Leonard Bernstein’s Dance Suite, an adaptation of excerpts from his renowned musical West Side Story. Rich in rhythmic contrasts and melodic fragments, the work evokes urban charm and dramatic tension. For a brass ensemble, it presents both a coordination challenge and an opportunity for each performer to showcase the colour and character of their instrument. The piece is structured in five short movements of a dance character. A contemporary Brazilian energy is present in Brass Quintet: Stories of Legend by Giancarlo Castro D’Addona. This work employs musical storytelling, with each instrument portraying characters and events from myths and legends, while its four movements help bring the narrative closer to the audience.
Ricochet by Kerry Turner consists of three sections loosely connected through the ideas of Ricochet, Repose and Rodeo. Although not strictly programmatic, the piece captures and conveys the energy and dynamic spirit of life in the Wild West. The trumpet part is written for C trumpet, though Turner encourages the use of other trumpets as well.
The concert concludes with Arturo Márquez’s Danzón, arranged by Chris Van Hof, originally composed for symphony orchestra. It features a characteristic Latin dance rhythm and melodic elegance, while the combination of brass quintet and percussion—performed by Zagreb Philharmonic percussionist Renato Palatinuš—creates a vibrant, richly coloured texture.
