The "Brahms in Ballarat" chamber music concert at the Anglican Cathedral last Sunday, performed by three recent graduates of the Australian National Academy of Music, was an outstanding success. The individual brilliance of the performers was only surpassed by the resulting ensemble work displayed. Anthony Chataway (viola), Gladys Chua (piano) and Lloyd Van't Hoff (clarinet) created a seamless texture in this highly romantic program.
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The concert opened with the Adagio and Allegro Op.70 of Robert Schumann, a composer who greatly influenced Brahms. The dialogue between viola and piano in the emotionally charged Adagio was perfectly balanced while the Allegro had both players securely together in the exhilarating response.
The Clarinet Trio K.498 of Mozart, bringing together three of Mozart's favourite instruments, highlighted the exceptional communication between the performers. The excellent musicianship was complimented by the obvious enjoyment of this delightful yet complex work. Lloyd Van't Hoff's clarinet playing was outstanding, with purposeful phrasing and a clear understanding of its position in the overall structure.
The Brahms Sonata for Clarinet and Piano Op.120/1, arranged for viola, was the third major work on the program. Anthony Chataway produced a glorious tone on the viola, secure in technique and intonation, while the virtuosic piano part was expertly handled by Gladys Chua.
In between the three significant chamber works Gladys Chua performed two of Brahms' most popular late Intermezzi with great clarity and expressive detail.
