Reviews
The Bay Post. July 2010
NSWQ Review
How many good reasons are there to attend a South Coast Music Society Concert?
I thought there were quite a few on Sunday the 18th of July.
The first reason to go to any concert is, of course, the music. To listen to fine music extremely well played is always a treat. The New Sydney Wind Quintet was exceptional, demonstrating accuracy and technical facility with the ease of waiting for a bus. This was especially demonstrated in the Quintet by Danzi, which featured passages of technical brilliance from all members of the ensemble. We tend to take these for granted on flutes, oboes and clarinets, but the rapid passages sounded especially impressive on the bassoon and French Horn!
Another reason to attend a SCMS concert is to learn more about music, which I did last Sunday. The NSWQ performed an amazing piece by contemporary Australian composer Lyle Chan. This piece was very interesting, using rhythm and dissonance to great effect, while being entertaining and accessible. I had not heard Lyle Chan’s work before, and everyone in the audience learned something about him - the work performed was a world premiere.
A SCMS concert provides a great opportunity to experience an intimate, informal time with some of Australia’s most accomplished musicians. The performers spoke about the program, making it more meaningful and personal for the audience.
St Bernard’s Church provides a perfect venue for a concert. The acoustics in the church are excellent, and the views over the bay are breath-taking as the sun sets. To hear the music of Ravel reflecting these subtle colours was quite wonderful. The Mother Goose Suite opened with a lyrical oboe melody, taken up by the flute, and was the aural equivalent of a Monet painting, with tonal contrasts and distinctively impressionist melodies and harmonies.
Attending a concert of this calibre in Sydney or Canberra would be a rather expensive exercise, even before you tried to park the car, so it would be much more sensible to attend a SCMS concert. And students are free! And you can have wine & cheese at interval! I really enjoyed the finale of the program, Hindemith’s Kleine Kammermusik. This was an intricate work, featuring driving rhythms and short but spectacular solos for each member of the Quintet.
One more reason to attend a SCMS concert is to anticipate how good the next one will be. I haven’t by any means mentioned all the highlights of the NSWQ concert – but I’m really looking forward to hearing virtuoso recorder player Genevieve Lacey & guitarist Karen Schaupp, again, among Australia’s best known musicians. This concert will be on September 19th, 5pm at St Bernard’s. Can you think of a reason not to be there?