Resplendent melodies and magical atmosphere

Music / CIMF Live performance 10, “Viola Solitaire”. At Verity Lane Market, Could 3. Reviewed by DANTE COSTA.

VIOLA, viola, viola; that’s what it’s all about! This live performance proved that this often-neglected instrument is a lot extra than simply the center baby of the string household.

Violists Katie Yap and James Wannan, with keyboardist Donald Nicolson, explored the musical capabilities of the viola and the other ways it may be used to wow an viewers. This all-Australian live performance featured premieres from Andrew Ford, Elliott Gyger and a collaborative work by Yap and Nicolson.

Starting with Ford’s “In My Solitude”, Yap knowledgeable the viewers that the piece was impressed by the themes from Purcell’s “O Solitude, My Sweetest Alternative”, that are used to craft reverse variations. Opening with a swish but solemn melody, her tone was wealthy and delightful elevated by moments of chilling harmonics that crammed the room. The piece then developed right into a extra virtuosic and playful part that had refined baroque inflections.

The second piece, “Solitaire” by Elliot Gyger, was carried out by Wannan who performed with spectacular tenacity and ability.

This monumental work is split in 13 brief actions and explores each aspect of the instrument.  Every motion is separate in temper and character, a number of through which characteristic using just one string. This supplied a refreshingly new absorb what Wannan recommended as being probably the most “substantial works for solo viola lately”.

This piece creates seemingly infinite potentialities of tone colors and moods that Wannan effortlessly crafted from his instrument. The efficiency was extremely imaginative and deeply shifting. One of the simplest ways to explain it’s as a soliloquy the place the performer speaks to themselves conveyed via thematic contrasts between sustained legato sections and quick intensely rhythmic and virtuosic passages. It was an assured and assured efficiency.

Concluding the live performance was “Black Cockatoos” by Yap and Nicolson, who carried out the piece on baroque viola and harpsichord, in addition to incorporating using digital soundscapes. Mixing previous and new, this piece was the results of a collaboration that mixes baroque music with up to date Australian.

There are generally moments the place you grow to be misplaced in a performer’s trance because the music simply sweeps over you. This was a type of moments. Collectively, Yap and Nicolson crafted a mixture of resplendent melodies and magical atmosphere that held the viewers in suspense till the very finish.