Concert Review: Savall & Hespèrion XXI
The performance by living legend Jordi Savall and his early music ensemble Hespèrion XXI in the Concert Hall of the Sydney Opera House not only entertained and transfixed the auience, it was a masterclass in early instrumental performance and a rare opportunity to hear an expert ensemble of early instuments playing this specialist repertoire.
Album Review: Violin Sonatas/Charody
Composer Chloé Charody’s new release due out on 1 April 2023 features two sonatas for violin and piano, the Violin Sonata No. 1 opus 38 (Tale of The Firebird) and the Violin Sonata No 2 (opus 49 LIMBO) written for and performed by virtuoso violinist Sonja Schebeck with pianist Chanda VanderHart with viola player Yukari Aotani.
Opera Review: Adriana Lecouvreur/ Opera Australia
It was a triumphant night for Armenian-Australian soprano Natalie Aroyan on the opening night of Francesco Ciléa’s Adriana Lecouvreur in the Joan Sutherland Theatre of the Sydney Opera House.
Concert Review: Haydn’s Sun & Mendelssohn’s Stars/ Australian Haydn Ensemble String Quartet
The Australian Haydn Ensemble’s program was inspired by the concept of the fugue. performed with passion and finesse.
Album Review: Mr De Machy Pieces de Violle/ Ng
Ng plies a highly specialised craft, creating the illusion of a small ensemble from a single instrument. He draws on the features of the era, playing the melodic lines as well as enriching the texture with double and triple stops, weaving ornamentation and arpeggiated chords.
Review: The Mozart K.488 Project/ Da Costa/ ARCO
Both ARCO and Da Costa have provided a brilliantly performed exploration of Mozart’s piano style through Reinecke’s legacy, supported by academic rigor. It is also delightful to listen to. We take meticulous care in preserving paintings and other artifacts of the past. Why not music as well?
Review: Grazie in Grazia/ Bach Akademie Australia
The best Bach Akademie Australia voices that I have heard in their sound and narrative ability. The instrumentalists as ever were exceptional.
Review: Haydn Speaks/ Australian Haydn Ensemble/John Bell
The Australian Haydn Ensemble’s production of Haydn Speaks joined the trend of redefining and re-imagining chamber music by deftly interweaving theatrical elements into the musical performance.
Concert Review: In Bach’s Orbit/Bach Akademie Australia/Harcourt
This was an intelligent and entertaining line-up from an expert performer well-versed her specialist repertoire, proving yet again that there is always something new in the old.