About the Piece:

The different musical moods presented in Russian Fantasy make for an enjoyable playing and listening experience. Written for advancing players, the piece requires navigation through numerous tempo changes, varied stroke work, and capturing the different musical moods, which range from lively and joyous to those of melancholy and
pathos. Position work is required in some of the parts, and is recommended in places for greater sonority.

Instrumentation: Vln 1, Vln 2, Vla/Vln 3, Cello, Bass (rehearsal piano part provided)

Duration: 3:50 minutes (approx.)

Grade 3

Level 4-6 Curriculum IM Strings - DET EQ.

About the Composer:

Since 1995 Timo Jarvela has taught string playing in numerous primary and secondary schools in the Pine Rivers, Redcliffe and Caboolture districts just north of Brisbane. His teaching experience also includes a year spent teaching violin in the Kaustinen Shire of his native Finland during 1993-1994. Timo’s qualifications include a Bachelor of Music in Violin Performance from the Qld Conservatorium of Music, Griffith University. As a violinist, Timo has performed with numerous ensembles and orchestras including the Qld Symphony Orchestra, the Qld Philharmonic Orchestra and the Qld Youth Orchestra. In 1996, Timo founded the Pine Rivers Area String Orchestra to promote string playing in his local community. PRASO was central to Timo’s aim of providing young string players with musical opportunities through a variety of ensembles, ranging from fiddle bands to chamber orchestras. Since 2013 these ensembles have come under the banner of MYME (Moreton Youth Music Ensembles), reflecting the change of name in the shire. In 2003, Timo was awarded the Pine Rivers Shire Council’s Australia Day Cultural Award for his services to music in the community.