Classical music lovers looking for a novel experience were in for a treat at Folk Reimagined in the Concert Hall of the Sydney Opera House last Monday night. The multilayered program included iconic classics and video game music performed by The Australia Orchestra with members of the visiting Guizhou Chinese Orchestra. 

Internationally acclaimed pianist Tamara-Anna Cislowska opened the concert with the Yellow River Piano Concerto. Dressed in a shimmering scarlet gown, her breathtaking delivery of the technically challenging piano passages was matched by conductor Luke Spicer’s brilliance in leading the combined orchestras. Based on The Yellow River Cantata, this highly enjoyable rendition was by no means an easy work to put together. 

Murmurs of appreciation rippled amongst those familiar with the sweeping nationalistic cello melody of the second movement (Ode to the Yellow River), and the Chinese National Anthem. Enjoyable also was the piano’s interaction with the strings in the canon of the final movement (Defend the Yellow River), which eventually led to the sweeping climax featuring the melody from the patriotic East is Red.  

The Four Great Classical Novels was a kaleidoscopic episode...