The St. Paul’s Episcopal School Chamber Strings from Mobile, AL departed the United States December 27th, 2012 for a ten day performance tour of Austria and the Czech Republic. The trip was presented through Music Celebrations International. While loaded with numerous sightseeing adventures the focus remained on three performance venues in Bad Ischl (outside Salzburg), Vienna, and Prague. Of particular note was the Vienna performance where the group performed in the Orangerie of the Schönbrunn Palace, the summer home of Habsburgs where Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart and Antonio Salieri famously competed for a commission from Emperor Joseph II.
Helmut Wondra, Central and Eastern Europe concert manager for MCI observed after this performance: “The young musicians from the St. Paul’s Episcopal School were not intimidated by the audience of about 300 people who came to see and hear them perform – in contrary: they played with much energy and passion and it seemed that the venue and the enthusiastic crowd motivated them to perform especially well. The audience was delighted by the concert and generously gave donations generated through this concert for the sake of helping the street children in Arad, Romania. Congratulations to the St. Paul’s Episcopal School Chamber Strings and to their director Holly A. Compton for the musical excellence which they have shown in Vienna. We would be happy to welcome you back!” Director Holly Compton was awarded a certificate honoring the group and making January 2, 2013 for their contribution to the European Cultural Initiative for the Young Generation. The acknowledgement was presented by Dr. Jutta Unkart – Seifert, renowned Austrian soprano and President of the organization. The declaration sates:” In the spirit of artistic excellence and intellectual engagement, you have contributed an important element to the global network of culture, peace, and mutual respect between the world’s peoples. It is a necessity of our times to encourage in the younger generation a commitment to dialog. We each hold in our hearts and hand the imperative to contribute to a culture of understanding. Music, especially, speaks the clearest and most poignant language of reconciliation and every musician must be aware that he or she bears this honourable responsibility.” After the Orangerie performance, the ensemble was honored at the home of Dr. Juntta Unkart-Seifert with a lavish dinner and lecture from Professor Kudlak, a 30 year veteran of the Vienna Philharmonic. The group also performed in Hlahol Hall in Prague, one of the purest and most prominent art nouveau monuments of its kind. It boasts numerous original busts of directors who called Hlahol their home base and enjoys being ranked amongst the most beloved Eastern European monuments of cultural heritage.
St. Paul’s Episcopal Chamber Orchestra at a performance at Hlahol Hall in Prague
Just outside Salzburg, the Chamber Strings performed in the spa town of Bad Ischl at Trinkhalle. The youngest of the three venues, Trinkhalle was constructed in 1928 originally as the “Soolenbadhaus” spa. Decades later it was altered and extended and has become a fixed part of cultural, and social events in the town. AVA President Jody Powell accompanied the Chamber Strings throughout the trip. Mr. Powell reflected: “Two times I have had the opportunity to travel internationally with the St. Paul’s Chamber Strings. Having seen them perform in London, England in 2008-2009 at St. John’s Smith Square and the Westminster Concert Hall, where under the direction of Holly Compton, they were exquisite. Also this past Holiday Season of 2012-2013 in Austria at Bad Ischl, in the Emperor Franz Josef Hall, in Vienna in the Orangerie, and in Prague, Czech Republic at Hlahol Hall. They are disciplined and dynamic, and bring an interpretation through a various choices of music, and a stage presence beyond that usually witnessed with this age. I am proud to be a faculty member of a school that supports the Fine Arts such as this.”
St. Paul’s Episcopal Chamber Orchestra performs at Trinkhalle
Despite an extensive performance agenda, the group was afforded many opportunities for tourism and to blend with the Austrian and Czech Republic cultures. Upon arrival in Munich, the group was transported to the town of Dachau and visited the Concentration Camp and Memorial Site. Salzburg sites included Mirabel Palace and Gardens, Mozart Square, the Dome Cathedra, University Church, Mozarthaus (Mozart’s Birthplace), a cable car ride up to the cities Fortress, the Salt Mines in Hallein, Mondsee church (the site of “The Sound of Music” wedding), and world famous Melk Abbey. In Vienna, the group experienced a modern interactive sound museum, Haus der Music which includes the museum of the Vienna Philharmonic Orchestra. They toured the Ringstraube, the Imperial Palace, State Opera, Town Hall, Burgkapelle (venue for the Vienna Boys Choir), Palace Stables, Strauss Monument, and a full guided tour through Schönbrunn Palace. A visit to the Central Cemetery provided the opportunity to pay homage at the graves of Beethoven, Brahms, Schubert, Strauss, and the Mozart Memorial.
St. Paul’s Episcopal Chamber Orchestra at the Salt Mines
Students and chaperones alike enjoyed a festive New Year’s Eve in Vienna, taking in all aspects of the culture including food, music, and dance. A spectacular fireworks display was captured at the stroke of midnight at Hero’s Square on the lawn of the Imperial Palace. A highlight of the Prague visit was the Dvorak museum which included his piano on which most of his compositions were written, and his viola. The guided tour also included the Charles Bridge, St. Nicholas Church, Old Town Square, Municipal House, St. Agnes Convent, the Jewish Quarter, Hradcany Castle, and St. Vitus Cathedral. Violinist Carson Blaylock is a senior at St. Paul’s Episcopal School who has performed in numerous ensembles under Holly Compton for seven years. She shared some of her feelings after the trip: “Performing in the Orangerie of the Schönbrunn Palace is an experience which I will never forget. Knowing Mozart and Salieri engaged in a musical duel in the same room centuries ago, I felt a new sense of inspiration.” Founded by Holly Compton in 1990 in Mobile, AL, the Saint Paul’s Episcopal School Chamber Strings perform extensively throughout Mobile, AL and surrounding areas. In 2001 the ensemble opened the Field Studies International Choral Festival where they made their Carnegie Hall debut. The group realized their first international exposure in 2004 with a performance in St. Patrick’s Cathedral in Dublin, Ireland. In 2008/09 saw performances in London, England both at Westminster Central Hall and St. John’s Smith Square where they were described as “Disciplined and dynamic, bringing an interpretation through choice of music, and a stage presence beyond that usually witnessed with this age.” The group is comprised primarily of students ranging from age 14-18. To enjoy more stories and photographs about St. Paul’s Episcopal School Chamber Strings performance tour of Austria and the Czech Republic: www.st.paulsmobile.net.
Holly Compton, Orchestra Director St. Paul’s Episcopal School Mobile, AL Ala Breve. February/March 2013 (p. 34-35).