5 minutes with Lloyd Van’t Hoff from Arcadia winds

What are some of the challenges that come with playing a wind instrument?

It can be quite physical work. Performances can feel like being in a hysterical fit of laughter for up to an hour, which is quite demanding on your breathing and mouth muscles. On top of this, finding arrangements that take into consideration wind instruments breath control requirements can be a challenge. These are all things we need to take into consideration when selecting repertoire and in our practice, to ensure we have the musical fitness for each performance.

How does playing in a dedicated wind ensemble differ from playing with a full orchestra?

I find within Arcadia Winds we have more autonomy than we may be able to have within a full orchestra. We work well as a team and vote on any decisions together, sometimes this means learning to lose graciously (laughs). This, in turn, gives us greater creative control over our work, and broadens our artistic vision.

Pictures in Arcadia is such an exciting program which will give listeners the chance to experience so many eras of music. How does it differ as an ensemble to play across these eras in one program? For instance, moving from Strauss’ Serenade in E-flat major, Op.7 to the modern Sdraulig’s Meridian?

For us it’s about the storytelling. How can we make these stories relevant today? No matter if the composition is 1000 years old or less than 5 years old. The wind quintet provides a unique perspective on some of these stories, with each instrument creating a very unique sound, giving the listener a kaleidoscopic sound effect.  

Sdraulig’s Meridian was commissioned by Arcadia Winds as part of Arcadia Winds Composition Prize, is that correct? Could you tell us a little more about the competition?

That’s right, Harry Stdraulig was our 2020 prize winner, and Meridian was completed in 2021. The prize is part of Arcadia Winds mission to broaden repertoire for the wind quintet, particularly with Australian composers. The competition takes place annually and takes applications from Australian composers aged 18-35 to develop new wind quintet repertoire. 

The concept behind Sdraulig’s Meredian is very interesting, could you tell us a little more about that?

Absolutely. The inspiration was taken from the meridian lines of the world, the imaginary lines that divide areas of the globe. The sounds of this work move far and near from the middle as the piece progresses. Musical phrases go up from a unison note, outwards, or even in reverse. The whole work revolves around a central tone, with sections branching out from here.

Another stand out work in your program is Mussorgsky’s Pictures at an Exhibition, what characteristics are added by hearing a wind quintet perform this work?

This arrangement really captures the colours of the instruments and the characters of the work in a new way. While retaining the integrity of the original, each instrument in the wind quintet brings a new life to this familiar story.

This is Arcadia Winds’ tenth anniversary, what’s next for the ensemble?

We would like to continue our commitment to commissioning new Australian works for the Wind Quintet through our Arcadia Winds Composition Prize, with 2024s Composition Prize work on its way, and we’re always looking for ways to do this more broadly. We’re also very excited about a program in the works with Musica Viva in schools which will explore and celebrate diversity within the country. We’re looking to roll this out in 2025.