
The British enigma
The British enigma
St. Paul’s Suite for String Orchestra, op. 29 by Gustav Holst is a work dedicated to string instruments, published in 1922. Completed almost a decade before, until the date of publication, the work has undergone many changes. The name of St. Paul acquired it from the Girls’ School of the same name in Hammersmith, London. Between 1905 and 1934, the composer carried out his teaching activity in the above-mentioned school, during which time a soundproof studio was built in the respective institution. Because of this, Holst, feeling grateful, named the suite after the name of the school.
The second work of the evening is dedicated to the whole string ensemble. Although it is a work from the early period of fog, Serenada in E minor for string orchestra, op. 20 by Edward Elgar is one of the few creations that the composer was fully satisfied with. Demanding of himself, Elgar once stated that the works composed up to this serenade are just musical experiments.
The work entitled “Enigma” Variations, op. 36, was composed by Elgar at the end of the 19th century and includes 14 variations on a given theme. The composer dedicated the work to his friends in his entourage so that each variational sketch creates a close acquaintance. Throughout the sound speech, his wife, Alice, close friends of the couple, and even Elgar himself are portrayed.
Conductor Ertüngealp Alpaslan began his musical studies in his hometown, Istanbul, where he studied piano. He later graduated from the “Franz Liszt” Academy of Music in Budapest, where he continued to study piano and conducting. In 2002, Alpaslan won the International Direction Competition “Dimitris Mitropoulos” in Athens, at which time he established himself as a conductor. His professional activity is carried out internationally, conducting famous orchestras such as Deutsche Kammerphilharmonie Bremen, Athens State Symphony Orchestra, Saint Petersburg Philharmonic Orchestra.