BLOOD, sweat and ... strings.
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A gymnasium is not somewhere you would expect to see a string quartet playing classical music, but Mitchell Quartet member Andrew Baker is all for trying something different.
“A gym is where people go to gather and socialise, and all walks of life pass through the doors... so why not show them a bit of classical music,” he said.
The acoustics in the Integra Health Fitness and Wellbeing building on Ralstone Drive are perfect for the four-piece, says Baker.
“It has really good resonance,” he said.
“And a good outlook for the performers.”
The gym’s glass back wall overlooks Orange, with a view of Mount Canobolas.
The Mitchell Quartet will perform classical pieces from Beethoven, Tschaikovsky and Shostakovich, and as such have called the performance From Russia With Love.
Mr Baker said the music was heavily influenced by Russian themes - Beethoveen wrote his piece String Quartet Op. 18 no. 3 for a Russian aristocrat, while Shostakovich was a Soviet composer and a Jew who composed pieces before, after and during World War II. His music was often described as sarcastic.
The concert will be performed on the main gym floor with the two violins, the viola and the cello positioned amongst the treadmills.
“This fun, social and interesting event will feature one of Integra’s gym instructors , me, swapping the lycra and barbells for the dinner suit and a violin,” Mr Baker said.
“For those who are regular classical music goers, Integra provides a beautiful setting and outlook with a surprising stunning acoustic. For those new to the concert world, then this is the event for you. Great music, great performers, social occasion, and share in something a little different.”
The Mitchell Quartet began in 2014 and tours the central west with members Nicholas Newell on the violin, Fiona Thompson on the viola, Sybbi Georgiou on the cello and Mr Baker.
The concert will be held on March 19 from 3pm to 5pm and tickets are available at the door or through the website www.stickytickets.com.au/33916/mitchell_quartet__from_russia_with_love.
