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ANAM: Song Cycles with Sara Macliver

by Heather Leviston 17th August, 2019
by Heather Leviston 17th August, 2019

The Australian National Academy of Music continues to provide an extraordinary range of opportunities in a quest to nurture the talents of its students. Over the last couple of weeks, the education baton was passed from Israeli violinist Gregory Ahss to Australian soprano Sara Macliver, via a Masterclass with virtuoso German-Canadian cellist Johannes Moser,who was here to play Elgar’s Cello Concerto with the Melbourne Symphony Orchestra.

Sarah Macliver’s ANAM residency was designed to collaborate with pianists aiming to gain further insight into the art of accompanying a singer. Although Macliver is probably best known as a leading exponent of Baroque repertoire, her versatility and expertise in other areas is extensive. In this case, songs by Mozart, Schumann, Duparc and Grieg made up a program to develop the pianists’ knowledge and skills.

It was not clear why Timothy Young, ANAM’s Head of Piano and Chamber Music chose an all-female lineup of accompanists. Surely male pianists too are interested in associating their artistry with singers? The fact that all bar one – Maggie Pang from New South Wales – hailed from Queensland also gave me pause for thought. The five chosen ones worked intensively with Macliver over three days and it was clear from the way she spoke about her experience at the end of the concert that it had been a rewarding one for her and the pianists.

Four short songs by Mozart gave Jennifer Yu limited opportunities to display her capabilities, but her bright tone reflected the mainly cheerful nature of the songs and Macliver’s animated delivery. There were effective moments of contrast in parts of “Als Louise die Briefe” (When Louise burnt the letters) and in an expressive “Das Veilchen” (The Little Violet) that captured the yearning middle section and humorous ending successfully.

Sine Winther possibly had the most gratifying task for the evening with a whole song cycle to herself: Schumann’s Frauenliebe und -leben. As a pianist who has enjoyed marked success in a number of ANAM recitals and competitions, Winther is known for her sensitive musicality; she invested this quality in every Lied of this famous and much loved song cycle. From the initial wonder of a girl falling in love to the mature resignation of a grieving woman finding consolation, Winther’s clear articulation, velvety tone and thoughtful shaping were a pleasure to hear. It was a persuasive reading from both singer and accompanist, especially impressive given the short preparation period. This song cycle might be met with some derision by the more emphatically politically correct, but for many it can be a supremely moving depiction of “a woman’s life and love”. I expect Winther will enjoy exploring it in even greater depth for years to come.

Interval was followed by two songs by Duparc, with Amanda Pang as accompanist. One of the great mélodies, “L’invitation au voyage” was given a suitably less operatic treatment on the climaxes than is sometimes heard. The gently sensuous ending evoked the “luxe, calme et volupté” of Baudelaire” poem superbly. Similarly atmospheric was their reading of “Phidylé”. Some of Macliver’s most beautifully languid soft singing came in this song and Pang did well to match the mood.

Grieg’s song cycle Haugtussa (The Mountain Girl), consists of eight songs that were shared equally between two pianists, with Hannah Pike accompanying the first four and Maggie Pang the rest. These are wonderful songs that were well suited to the artistic talents of Macliver and the two pianists. One of the delights of evening was to hear Pike approach the songs with such dynamism. She is a sensitive accompanist with a pleasing range of colour, including a lovely crystalline tone when called for. “Blåbaer-Li” (Blueberry Slopes) was bursting with character and there were some finely wrought contrasts in “Møte” (Meeting). Pang also joined in the fun of the final four songs, enjoying the jogging rhythms of “Elsk” (Love) and contrasting tragic note of “Vond Dag” (Sad Day) and the rippling effects of the final “Ved Gjaetle-Bekken” (At Gjaetle Brook).

The recital concluded with an unexpected encore: Sondheim’s “Send in the Clowns” from A Little Night Music. With no less than Timothy Young at the keyboard, it was a mini masterclass in itself as he struck that happy balance of being totally sympathetic to the quietly reflective musical intentions of the singer while providing a complementary impetus of his own.

_________________________________

Heather Leviston reviewed Song Cycles with Sara Macliver at the Australian National Academy of Music, South Melbourne Town Hall on August 14, 2019.

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Heather Leviston

Heather Leviston has devoted much of her life to listening to classical music and attending concerts. An addiction to vocal and string music has led her to undertake extensive training in singing and perform as a member of the Victoria State Opera chorus and as a soloist with various musical organisations.

As a founding academic teacher of the Victorian College of the Arts Secondary School, she has had the privilege of witnessing the progress of many talented students, keenly following their careers by attending their performances both in Australia and overseas.

As a reviewer, initially for artsHub, and also for Sounds like Sydney, she has been keen to bring attention to the fine music-making that is on offer in Australia, especially in the form of live performance. Heather is a valued member of Classical Melbourne’s editorial team, with her reviews of opera and vocal music valued by performers and audiences alike.

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Melbourne International Youth Music Competition: An Accompanist’s Perspective

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Songmakers Australia: Schwanengesang

August 1 @ 1:00 pm - 2:00 pm

Songmakers Australia: Schwanengesang

Program Franz Schubert Schwanengesang D 957 Songmakers Australia Schubert’s last song cycle was published after his untimely death at the age of…

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Seraphim Trio – Gallic Charm

August 1 @ 6:00 pm - 7:00 pm

Seraphim Trio – Gallic Charm

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Mostly Mozart – Musical Mavericks

August 3 @ 11:30 am - 12:40 pm

Mostly Mozart – Musical Mavericks

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Ray Chen

August 6 @ 7:30 pm - 9:00 pm

Ray Chen

World-renowned violinist Ray Chen makes his long-awaited return to Australia with some of the most demanding, impressive, and emotionally riveting works…

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Flinders Quartet Concert 2

August 7 @ 2:30 pm - 3:30 pm

Flinders Quartet Concert 2

Join Flinders Quartet for the sumptuous romanticism and grandeur of Brahms, and the ingenuity and wit of Haydn. Thibaud Pavlovic-Hobba -…

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Corpus Medicorum Concert #3

August 7 @ 5:00 pm - 7:00 pm

Corpus Medicorum Concert #3

Corpus Medicorum Rebirth 2022 Concert Series. Artists Charlotte Miles cellist Keith Crellin OAM conductor Program Edward Elgar Cello Concerto, Op.85 Antonín Dvořák Symphony No.7…

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Stewart Kelly – Schubert’s Swansong

August 8 @ 6:00 pm - 7:00 pm

Stewart Kelly – Schubert’s Swansong

A journey to the corners of human experience with Schubert’s Schwanengesang. About the artists Stewart Kelly is one of Australia’s most sought-after…

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6:00 pm - 7:00 pm

Melbourne Guitar Quartet – Flow My Tears

August 11 @ 6:00 pm - 7:00 pm

Melbourne Guitar Quartet – Flow My Tears

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Rutter’s Requiem and the 16th RMP Aria Final

August 14 @ 3:00 pm - 4:15 pm Recurring

Rutter’s Requiem and the 16th RMP Aria Final

Now firmly established as one of Australia’s most prestigious singing events, the RMP Aria is Australia’s pre-eminent competition for oratorio soloists.…

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The University of Melbourne Symphony Orchestra

August 14 @ 5:00 pm - 7:00 pm

The University of Melbourne Symphony Orchestra

The University of Melbourne Symphony Orchestra’s third concert of the year takes us through works by Benjamin Britten, Don Bank, and…

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7:00 pm - 10:00 pm Recurring

Rutter’s Requiem and the 16th RMP Aria Final

August 14 @ 7:00 pm - 10:00 pm Recurring

Rutter’s Requiem and the 16th RMP Aria Final

Now firmly established as one of Australia’s most prestigious singing events, the RMP Aria is Australia’s pre-eminent competition for oratorio soloists.…

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Real and Right and True – Lotte Betts-Dean and Calvin Bowman

August 20 @ 2:30 pm - 4:00 pm

Real and Right and True – Lotte Betts-Dean and Calvin Bowman

"Real and Right and True" - a celebration of the art song tradition of Australia and the United Kingdom. Lotte Betts-Dean,…

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Wanderlust

September 4 @ 3:00 pm - 4:30 pm

Wanderlust

The Friends of the Auburn Tower Inc presents Wanderlust, featuring Elyane Laussade, piano, and Luke Severn, bass baritone, in a musical…

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August 1
August 1 @ 1:00 pm - 2:00 pm

Songmakers Australia: Schwanengesang

August 1 @ 6:00 pm - 7:00 pm

Seraphim Trio – Gallic Charm

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August 3 @ 11:30 am - 12:40 pm

Mostly Mozart – Musical Mavericks

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August 6
August 6 @ 7:30 pm - 9:00 pm

Ray Chen

August 7
August 7 @ 2:30 pm - 3:30 pm

Flinders Quartet Concert 2

August 7 @ 5:00 pm - 7:00 pm

Corpus Medicorum Concert #3

August 8
August 8 @ 6:00 pm - 7:00 pm

Stewart Kelly – Schubert’s Swansong

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August 11
August 11 @ 6:00 pm - 7:00 pm

Melbourne Guitar Quartet – Flow My Tears

August 14
August 14 @ 3:00 pm - 4:15 pm Recurring

Rutter’s Requiem and the 16th RMP Aria Final

August 14 @ 5:00 pm - 7:00 pm

The University of Melbourne Symphony Orchestra

August 14 @ 7:00 pm - 10:00 pm Recurring

Rutter’s Requiem and the 16th RMP Aria Final

August 20
August 20 @ 2:30 pm - 4:00 pm

Real and Right and True – Lotte Betts-Dean and Calvin Bowman

September 4
September 4 @ 3:00 pm - 4:30 pm

Wanderlust

August 11
August 11 @ 6:00 pm - 7:00 pm

Melbourne Guitar Quartet – Flow My Tears

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August 14
August 14 @ 3:00 pm - 4:15 pm Recurring

Rutter’s Requiem and the 16th RMP Aria Final

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The University of Melbourne Symphony Orchestra

August 14 @ 7:00 pm - 10:00 pm Recurring

Rutter’s Requiem and the 16th RMP Aria Final

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Real and Right and True – Lotte Betts-Dean and Calvin Bowman

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September 4 @ 3:00 pm - 4:30 pm

Wanderlust

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