The elegance of the eighteenth century classical style made a welcome appearance at the Organs of the Ballarat Goldfields Festival with a chamber concert at Mary’s Mount. Andrea Dainese (flute), Natasha Conrau (violin), Helen Ireland (viola) and Miriam Kriss (‘cello) presented two delightful Cimarosa quartets, replacing the original programme due to illness of violist Giancarlo di Vacri. Highly expressive playing was perfectly balanced between each part. Harpist Elisabetta Ghebbioni joined the ensemble in the major work, an arrangement of Mozart’s Concerto for flute and harp. The thinner texture was successful, with great clarity while maintaining a richness of sound.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
The formal architecture was complimented by highly expressive playing, perfectly balanced between each part.
Douglas Mews, continued with “Mozartiana”, mostly piano pieces arranged for organ. The Fantasy and Fugue in C K394 sounded perfectly natural on the organ while the popular Rondo Alla Turca created a very different sound perspective compared to piano. The skill of the organist helped to make a convincing case for the contrast of sound.
The concert at the Castlemaine Town Hall brought together an unusual combination of instruments in an impressive display of individual virtuosity blending with precise ensemble playing. The trio of Halliday, Kondo and Brennan presented two recent American compositions The playing was at times breathtaking as the challenges of speed and rhythm within a largely tonal, lyrical style were met head on. The audience was privileged to witness the premiere performance of “Summer Ballad”, a work by promising young Australian composer Harry Sdraulig.
