A ‘Classy’ Christmas – Sydney Children’s Choir ‘Voices of Angels’
Sydney Children’s Choir: Voices of Angels City Recital Hall, Tuesday December 17th 2013. Talk about ‘class’ in the context of the Sydney Children’s Choir, and you’re not just talking about lessons for children learning how to sing in a choir. You’re talking about a group of children who have the kind of ‘class’ to deliver…
Pinchgut Opera’s ‘Giasone’ reviewed: Recreating a 400 Year Old Soundscape
Possibly the most challenging aspect of writing about my evening at Giasone, Pinchgut Opera’s 2013 production, has been to decide which of the many facets of this beautifully integrated production was the most memorable – was it the casting or the singing? The musical direction or the orchestra? Was it was the inventive staging…
CD Review: Long Walk To Freedom, Original Soundtrack
As if to perpetuate the legend once its hero was dead, Long Walk to Freedom the biopic of Nelson Mandela had its first showing in London on December 5th 2013, as the great man passed on. The movie had its world premiere at the Toronto Film Festival in September 2013. The original movie soundtrack,…
CD Review: ‘Simon Tedeschi/Gershwin: Take Two’
Pianist Simon Tedeschi takes his fascination with Gershwin – rhythms and all, to a new level with his CD release Gershwin: Take Two (ABC Classics ABC 4810629). Following a little over a year after his first Gershwin disc Gershwin and Me, Tedeschi presents 21 tracks of mostly miniatures by the visionary American composer who…
CD Review: Praetorius Christmette.Christmas Mass
Praetorius Christmette . Christmas Mass, Gabrieli Consort and Players, Paul McCreesh, conductor. Deutsches Grammophon Archiv 449 1757 **** If the credits on this CD sounds familiar it could because Deutsches Grammophon Archiv have this Christmas, re-released this disc which was made in 1994. Nearly 20 years after its first hearing, this recording of Michael…
The Royal Concertgebouw Orchestra Reviewed.
Read Peter MacCallum’s review of the Royal Concertgebouw Orchestra’s first Sydney concert on November 29th. Maestro Mariss Jansons was taken ill during the final Sydney concert and had to retire from the stage, whilst his assistant Rory Macdonald took over. Apparently the conductor is resting in his hotel and there is no cause for concern….
Review: ‘Götterdämmerung’ Opera Australia
Opera Australia:Der Ring des Nibelungen: Götterdämmerung Arts Centre Melbourne/25 November 2013 ***** The Third Day of Wagner’s music colossus concluded what has been the kind of festival he had planned: all four operas being performed in close succession by outstanding singers and a Wagner sized orchestra of excellent musicians in a production that illuminates…
Review: ‘Siegfried’ Opera Australia
Opera Australia: Der Ring des Nibelungen: Siegfried Arts Centre Melbourne/22 November 2013 ***** Brünnhilde’s final outpouring to Siegfried at the end of the second day of Wagner’s music drama begins: ‘O kindischer Held! O herrlischer Knabe! Du hehrster Taten töriger Hort!’ The terms ‘childish’, ‘boy’ and ‘foolish’ are among several along these lines that may…
Review: A Ceremony of Carols, The Choir of St James’ King Street
Ceremony of Carols Choir of St James’ Church, King Street, Sydney 23 November 2013 Benjamin Britten was born on St Cecilia’s Day (22 November) 1913 and the Choir of St James’ Church celebrated his centenary with a concert focusing on his music. It provided a splendid conclusion to a year of fine performances under the…