Like a painter with a pallet Mark Fornataro colours his world but he uses the bright notes of sound rather than paint.
Fornataro is a Victoria-based composer who will debut his composition, Quartet for Clarinet and Strings, on Sunday, Nov. 27. He has enlisted the help of some musical friends, members of the Sooke Philharmonic Orchestra. Principal clarinetist for the orchestra Lawrence delaHaye will perform with string players Anne McDougall, violin and Sooke Philharmonic concert master; Sue Innes, violin, Trevor McHattie, cello; and Lee Anderson, viola.
Fornataro doesn’t play a musical instrument himself at this time, he’s too busy and says he doesn’t have time to practice. Music has been his passion for a long time and he has dedicated this piece to his sister, who is married to delaHaye.
The music itself was initially written for bassoon and perfectly fits the plaintive sound of the piece. Fornataro switched to clarinet because of the character and versatility of the clarinet.
“I’m using this amazing music software,” says Fornataro. “What you have is a virtual orchestra, you can play it back and see if it works.”
The music to be performed will be a Stamitz clarinet quartet, Fornataro’s eight-and-a-half minute Quartet for Clarinet and Sting and a Haydn string quartet. Following an intermission Mozart’s clarinet quintet will be performed.
The performance takes place at Holy Trinity Church at 2 p.m., Nov. 27.
Tickets will be available at the door.
