‘Sunset’ from the ASQ – an understanding borne of what is not said
As the final notes of Ravel’s String Quartet faded, I wondered what might have coursed through the minds of the players in the Australian String Quartet, especially violinist Sophie Rowell and violist Sally Boud who have chosen to go their own ways from 2012. These four musicians have performed together since 2000, the last 5 years,…
Review roundup
A collection of the weekend’s reviews: Stephen Hough’s Canberra concert: http://www.theaustralian.com.au/news/arts/what-a-little-bit-of-moonlight-can-do/story-e6frg8n6-1226156246934 Placido Domingo and Katherine Jenkins in Sydney: http://www.theaustralian.com.au/news/arts/domingos-wondrous-voice-rises-above-arena/story-fn9d2mxu-1226156233592 http://www.smh.com.au/entertainment/music/aptly-seduction-set-the-tenor-for-a-night-of-vocal-splendour-20111002-1l3qr.html The Vienna Philharmonic in Perth: http://www.theaustralian.com.au/news/arts/old-school-orchestra-lives-up-to-its-conservative-traditions/story-fn9d2mxu-1226156272290
Macheath leaves town as Don Giovanni comes to stay
As one lothario’s time in Sydney comes to an end, another moves in. The Sydney Theatre company’s production of the Brecht/Weill Threepenny Opera closed over the weekend as Opera Australia’s production of Mozart’s Don Giovanni opened. In many ways the two men, Macheath and Don Giovanni are similar. Murderers, rapists and, unscrupulous seducers whose evil is made…
Reviews from the weekend – Don Giovanni and Evgeny Kissin
Opera Australia’s production of Mozart’s Don Giovanni opened in Sydney on Saturday night: http://www.smh.com.au/entertainment/opera/by-cad-this-don-has-really-got-what-it-takes-20110925-1krlu.html Evgeny Kissin with the Sydney Symphony Orchestra conducted by Vladimir Ashkenzy: http://www.smh.com.au/entertainment/music/princely-splendour-of-a-master-of-sound-and-articulation-20110923-1kpa1.html
Bach and Beyond – informed, creative and impeccably performed.
The Choir of St James’ King Street in collaboration with The Choir of Trinity College Melbourne and Ironwood Orchestra, directed by Warren Trevelyan-Jones and Michael Leighton Jones presented the opening performance of Bach and Beyond at St James’ Church, King Street last evening. the concert is repeated tomorrow, Saturday 24th September at 5 pm. The…
baroque duets break ground
“Baroque Duets” a new CD release, has a lot to say for itself. First and foremost, it is a superb compilation of Baroque vocal music, eminently listenable but away from the beaten track; it is also a historically informed and technically well executed performance by singers and instrumentalists on period instruments; it even contains a…
serious singing from teddy tahu rhodes
“The poem has not been completed until set to music” – Goethe. If Art Song needs to be re-invented to survive and evolve, the new CD “Serious Songs” from bass-baritone Teddy Tahu Rhodes (ABC Classics 476-4383) points in the right direction. The CD takes its title from Brahms’ Four Serious Songs,originally composed for bass and piano,…
Arrebato fuses flameno, jazz and the world in their second CD “Absolucion”
The style is possibly as difficult to define as the English meaning of their name – “Arrebato”, variously translated as “fury”, “something that rises rapidly” or “a wave of emotion”. It’s fair to say that any and all of these describe the music of this ensemble. Arrebato release their second CD “Absolucion” in June 2011….
New Alden production of “Dream” an abstraction of Britten’s life.
Once in a while in opera, a new production comes along that fits so perfectly with the narrative, history and legend, that you wonder why it took so long for the concept to be realized. Christopher Alden’s new production of Britten’s “Midsummer Night’s Dream” at the ENO, is one such offering. More “Scream” than “Dream”,…