Pleasure shared by means of sounds of poetry and color

Music / “Watercolours”, Canberra Symphony Orchestra Chamber Classics. At Albert Corridor, March 5. Reviewed by ROB KENNEDY.

“PLEASURE is the regulation”, so declared French composer Claude Debussy. On this chamber live performance of French and Australian music, pleasure spoke out by means of the sounds of poetry and color.

The performers within the first Canberra Symphony Orchestra Chamber Classics live performance for 2023 have been Chloe Lankshear, soprano, Kirsten Williams, violin, Edward Neeman, piano.

With a moderately heat Albert Corridor at capability, Williams and Neeman opened this live performance, titled “Watercolours”, with “Sonata in G minor for Violin and Piano”, by Debussy. A listener can hear the pleasure of this music because it unrolls its voice, stating a brand new type for the time, and in each musical color the ear can hear. That is beautiful and looking out music. It’s grand and expresses many voices; it’s free.

At occasions, it sounded just like the violin half was indifferent from the piano music, however it was to nice impact. It made the entire composition stand out because it speaks its distinctive language. It’s half playful, half experimental, particularly so on the violin. There have been wandering and elusive passages on the piano that once more appeared indifferent from the remainder of the music. The efficiency from Williams and Neeman was fittingly capricious, introspective and dynamic.

Then, “Ariettes oubliées”, (Forgotten Songs), by Debussy. The songs that make up this cycle all have a textual content by the French poet Paul Verlaine. The delicate magnificence in these works was all completely expressed by Lankshear. Her voice distinct, even within the fast track.

Lankshear is comfy in her voice, and it makes a listener receptive and relaxed when listening to her. The refined magnificence in these compositions labored a attraction for the soprano and the viewers.

Gabriel Fauré’s, “Violin Sonata” No. 1 in A Main, op. 13, adopted. The gamers received caught straight into the music with a flourish on the piano, and a beguiling opening for the violin. The primary motion is fast, with moments of grand ardour. It soars. The darker second motion oozes out its depth and craving, which Williams made sound like a dream.

The edgy scherzo and final motion have been filled with lavish sonorities. Canberra is fortunate to have two such nice and gifted gamers amongst its host of musicians.

Debussy’s, “Colloque sentimental”, from Fêtes galantes, 2ème recueil, got here subsequent. This was a ghostly story of previous love and despair. Its haunting opening with rising stress earlier than it fades produced a tantalising expertise that appeared to finish earlier than its ending. A most fascinating track.

A brand new fee by the CSO for Australian composer Connor D’Netto, titled, “white flowers”, got here subsequent. It was written for violin, cello and soprano. With a solo violin opening, it appeared to echo the Debussy. The voice of the soprano and the violin at occasions intertwined, which made for a mysterious expertise.

Its energy was in its subtlety. Whereas sitting in a up to date mode, this work conjured sounds of the previous. Soprano and violin talked to 1 one other because the piano’s haunting tones crept below and in between the others.

This was a divine artwork track that held its breath all over. The efficiency from all three, and the music will depart an enduring impression.