GOVERNOR ADDS PRESTIGE TO EVENT
Governor’s Gala Concert – Simple gifts
Saturday 1 August, 2009, 8pm
Townsville Civic Theatre
“ Finally, a staple work of the 20th century for small chamber orchestra: Aaron Copland’s Appalachian Spring. This work started its musical life as a ballet, and the composer received a Pulitzer Prize for it in 1945. It tells the story of a young couple from courtship to marriage to settling down. The performance was just right, with terrific teamwork and almost effortless playing of a very challenging score. (Camerata represented by Brendan Joyce , Jonny Ng, Sally Clark, Katherine Brown, Marian Heckenberg)
Katarina Kroslakova - Townsville Bulletin 4/8/09
MUSICAL RISKS HIT JACKPOT
The Australian Festival of Chamber Music
Townsville until August 8
“... highlights from this cultural festival include conversations with artists, marine talks, masterclasses for emerging artists ... and a Winterschool directed by John Curro. ‘ And also the Brisbane–based Camerata of St John’s fresh, theatrically wild delivery of Piazzolla’s tango-drizzled The Four Seasons of the Portenas. This starred Sponberg as a literally jumping, brilliant if eccentric soloist.” ........
Gillian Bramley-Moore - Courier Mail 4/8/09
POETRY HIGHLIGHT OF TOP CONCERT
The Eight Seasons
Sunday , 2 August, 2009, 8pm
Townsville Civic Theatre
" ........ After interval, Britten’s Variations on a Theme of Frank Bridge – a fiendishly difficult work which propelled the composer onto the international music stage in 1937. The Camerata displayed a range of string techniques and the Funeral March and chant movements were particularly moving. Finally another Four Seasons depicting aspects of life in Buenos Aires by Argentinean composer Astor Piazzolla. Once again Atle Sponberg led the Camerata of St John’s. Earlier in the festival we learned that this type of music was a passion for him. He added improvisations throughout including snippets of Vivaldi’s Four Seasons. As a programming decision. to learn these two works was terrific. Last but not least (in fact, this was probably the highlight of the concert) special mention to ABC Classic FM broadcaster Damien Beaumont who interspersed poetry in-between various movements. His readings were beautifully prepared and appropriate"
Katarina Kroslakova -Townsville Bulletin 5/8/09
LETTERS TO THE EDITOR
To the Editor
Once again we have been shown the proof of the magnificent talent which North Queensland can produce. It is fitting that in the year of celebration of our State’s 150 years of existence, so many Queenslanders are in the spotlight. This week in Townsville, the extraordinarily popular Australian Festival of Chamber Music is in full swing, with many of the twenty concerts sold out. The artistic director, Piers Lane, has deep connections with Innisfail where his mother grew up. Now based in London, this internationally acclaimed and charming pianist travels the world to perform with top class orchestras. On a local note, one of the featured performers at the Festival is Brendan Joyce, a violinist who would be well remembered in Ayr circles. His parents, Therese and Denis Joyce, played an integral part in community affairs. Brendan Joyce provided highlights on violin and piano at the Burdekin Eisteddfod every year for its first five years and we in the Burdekin have every reason to be proud of his accomplishments. Brendan, the leader of the string group, Camerata of St John’s, which features prominently at the festival received rapturous applause for his own solo playing. In printed material and in interview he always acknowledges his early teachers, Joyce Crooks and Lyn Darveniza. The Burdekin Arts Council is hoping to engage Brendan for a concert here in the Burdekin next year. ... ...’’. These performances will be thrilling, and perhaps, as in the case of Brendan Joyce, an indicator of careers to come......”
The Ayr Advocate – 5/08/09
WORLD PREMIERE OF FORD SYMPHONY
Riverway Arts Centre
Tuesday August 4, 2009
It’s been 10 years in the making but last night composer Andrew Ford finally heard the world premiere of his symphony at Riverway. The Australian Festival of Chamber Music‘s composer-in-residence‘s work The Past was premiered to a sell-out audience at Riverway Arts Centre. The premiere of the piece was performed by flautist Lorna McGhee, didgeridoo player William Barton, the Camerata of St John’s string ensemble and countertenor Russel Harcourt. The conductor was Federico Mondelci. The well-known host of The Music Show on radio National, Mr Ford also gave a talk at the Flinders St Library yesterday in defence of classical music. It’s not the only premiere the award-winning composer, writer, and broadcaster will experience this year...... “
Jennifer O’Reilly - Townsville Bulletin 5/8/09
NEW MUSIC PROVES POPULAR
Festivals are a good forum for airing new music, newcomers to the concert circuit and previously unsung talent. Tonight’s concert celebrated all of these three categories from the world premiere of Andrew Ford’s The Past inspired by the words of the late Oodgeroo of the tribe Noonuccal that was written on Captain Cook’s anniversary of his landfall in eastern Australia, to the refreshing, assured voice of Camerata of St John’s string ensemble and gifted countertenor Russel Harcourt. Ford’s music was graphically characterised by the Camerata who met the challenge of the changing moods and found the appropriate tone for the agitation of Captain Cook’s and the wistful peace of the Oodgeroo’s words respectively and responded sensitively to Harcourt’s compelling and impressively sung narration. Ford’s score hands the last word to the didgeridoo , and, as the strings drifted into oblivion, William Barton acquitted his improvisatory solo with aplomb.
Within the last few days, performers, composers and audience have had opportunity to mingle formally and informally. The conviviality of the AFCM engenders and encourages receptivity to contemporary musical language. Ford’s insightful work, that also featured flautist Lorna McGhee, Christopher Wrench and conductor Federico Mondelci, was enthusiastically received. As one patron said “ I wouldn’t have loved this performance quite as much if I hadn’t heard the composer talk about it today”
Camerata’s reading of Handel’s Concerto Grosso in A Major that opened the concert was purposeful, crisp, bristling with energy and brushed with graceful elegance. And, Zuill Bailey and Louise Hopkins’ frenzied reading of Violoncelles, Vibre by Giovanni Sollima can best be described as a frantic joust between two competitive cellists who seemed to be flying on a carpet of colourful interwoven strings. The crowd loved it.
Gillian Wills