Review: Musca Viva Festival 2017 (Concert 4)
More pleasures as Goldners play Vasks and Dickson premieres Edwards.
More pleasures as Goldners play Vasks and Dickson premieres Edwards.
An eclectic offering showcasing some of the individual talents in Arcadia Winds.
From late Romantic to early 21st century, another trove of chamber treasures.
This a strange compilation with a convoluted concept, can’t help but be amazed at the sound of the ASMF.
When they were 14, the Jerusalem Quartet were considered The Monkees of the classical world because they were “manufactured” by the Jerusalem Music Centre. Since then, with one change of personnel (violist Ori Kam replacing Amihai Grosz in 2010), they have established themselves in the top echelon of chamber groups. They continue their wide and impressive discography with this awe-inspiring reading of three of Béla Bartók’s six quartets. Led by the charismatic Alexander Pavlovsky, the Jerusalems are a tight, exciting unit, brilliant in attack but also uncannily sensitive. Sergei Bresler’s violin sparks off Pavlovksy’s and Kam is the equal of his predecessor in every respect. Kyril Zlotnikov, playing one of Jacqueline du Pré’s instruments loaned to him by Daniel Barenboim, is a formidable cellist, driving and astute. Together they bring out every nuance of these awe-inspiring works, from the Fourth’s scurrying insect-like ‘night music’ of the prestissimo second movement to the heart-rending mesto finale of the Sixth, composed at a time when Bartók was down on his uppers and mourning his mother’s death. The Jerusalems brought the house down when they played the Allegretto Pizzicato as an encore when they were here in 2016 on their seventh Musica Viva tour….
Combining fine classical musicianship with pop hits from the 70s to 90s, is not your average mixtape.
Both works are robustly Germanic and finely written; the surprise is that they are not better known.
Orkis and the Goldner and Elias Quartets open Festival with truly sublime chamber playing.
The cellist talks about being an invader ahead of his performances at the Margaret River and Dunkeld Festivals.
The Fidelio Quartet has teamed up with Crohn’s & Colitis Australia to bring comfort to the sick through Beethoven's quartets.
Three's a charm for Gidon: DG fields a dream team to bring this elegiac music to life.
Yoshimoto and the ASO deliver a performance to be remembered and savoured.
Kate Neal’s ear for the intricate and eye for flair created a complex metallic sound world.