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Ensemble Liaison & ANAM: Mahler 4

by Heather Leviston 24th August, 2015
by Heather Leviston 24th August, 2015

Ensemble Liaison is blessed with a wealth of friends willing to augment a repertoire of works written for clarinet, cello and piano either as solo instruments or in various combinations. Collaborating with students from the Australian National Academy of Music, violinist Adam Chalabi and soprano extraordinaire Greta Bradman (pictured), they presented a splendid program in a much more expanded form than usual.

The concert began with a spirited and disciplined performance of what David Griffiths called “one of my favourite works” and “one of the most beautiful pieces ever written”. Aaron Copland’s Appalachian Spring was originally written for a chamber orchestra of thirteen instruments and Griffiths chose to perform this less commonly played version. With a bunch of talented ANAM students led by Adam Chalabi and underpinned by the ever exuberant Griffiths himself on clarinet, Svetlana Bogosavljevic on cello and Timothy Young at the piano, it was easy to understand his enthusiasm. ANAM student Kim Falconer added substantially to the beauty of the work with her mellow rounded tone in the prominent part for flute.

Ensemble Liaison’s ninth season has the title “Il Bel Canto” and that is exactly what was delivered with Greta Bradman’s stunning voice illuminating the other two items on the program.

As the recipient of the 2014 Melbourne Recital Centre and Melbourne Conservatorium of Music Composition Award, which provides MCM’s emerging composers with the chance to write a six to eight minute work for one the MRC’s Local Heroes ensembles, Mark Viggiani approached the so aptly named Ensemble Liaison. The result, Cleopatra, is a dramatic study of the Egyptian queen as portrayed in Shakespeare’s Antony and Cleopatra. By editing various excerpts from the text to highlight different aspects of her character, the work explores the relationship between these two legendary lovers, culminating in her decision to end her life. Viggiani’s writing is accessible and inventive, with moments of high drama juxtaposed against bleak despair reflecting the shades of Cleopatra’s personality and predicament. He paints a striking portrait using Greta Bradman’s unique gifts to great advantage.

The mezzo quality of her middle and lower range is alluring and merges effortlessly with limpid soft singing in the upper register that seems to hang in the air. As was apparent in her brilliant performance in Handel’s Rodelinda, Bradman knows exactly how to tune into the superb acoustic of the Elisabeth Murdoch Hall. Although it was often difficult to understand the text, the instrumental nature of Bradman’s voice projected the general sense of the narrative and was a constant joy to hear. To fully appreciate the work, however, a copy of the text in some form was needed.

Gustav Mahler’s Fourth Symphony was originally written for twenty-five wind and percussion instruments, strings, harp and voice. Klaus Simon’s arrangement for fifteen instruments (seven winds and percussion, strings, piano, harmonium, and voice) is a far cry from the usual lush orchestration to which audiences are accustomed. Chalabi’s unobtrusive, musically defined leadership ensured a convincing performance of an arrangement that posed considerable challenges. The horn component, such an important feature of Mahler’s work, was concentrated from four horns into one and ANAM’s Alden Cai is to be commended for managing it so well. Fine playing from all ANAM students made this a satisfying musical experience, but Greta Bradman’s contribution made it an exceptional one in the final movement as she sang the words of simple faith and joy with ravishing, pure tone.

Ensemble Liaison is renowned for its innovative programming and this was collaboration at its best as all artists worked together to create, nurture and perform with the support of Melbourne’s major musical institutions. The MRC, ANAM, the University of Melbourne and Monash University each played a role in what deserves to be one of many such projects for the further enrichment of Australia’s cultural life.

This concert was reviewed at the Melbourne Recital Centre on August 21.

 

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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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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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6:00 pm - 7:00 pm

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

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11:30 am - 12:40 pm

Mostly Mozart – Musical Mavericks

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

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7:30 pm - 9:00 pm

Ray Chen

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

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2 events, 7

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Flinders Quartet Concert 2

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

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$29 – $38
5:00 pm - 7:00 pm

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…

$10 – $60

1 event, 8

6:00 pm - 7:00 pm

Stewart Kelly – Schubert’s Swansong

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

Stewart Kelly – Schubert’s Swansong

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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

Innovative arrangements, technical flair and superb playing. About the artists Melbourne Guitar Quartet have carved out a reputation for curating utterly…

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Stravinsky’s Ballets

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Stravinsky’s Ballets

Wicked magicians, unrequited love, and human sacrifice for a bountiful spring – these ballets have it all! The MSO travels through…

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Stravinsky’s Ballets

August 13 @ 7:30 pm - 10:30 pm Recurring

Stravinsky’s Ballets

Wicked magicians, unrequited love, and human sacrifice for a bountiful spring – these ballets have it all! The MSO travels through…

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4 events, 14

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The Lieder Society of Victoria: Erwartung – Markus Matheis & Dean Sky-Lucas

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

The Lieder Society of Victoria: Erwartung – Markus Matheis & Dean Sky-Lucas

"Erwartung" Markus Matheis & Dean Sky-Lucas In this recital ERWARTUNG (expectation) Markus Matheis and Dean Sky-Lucas present a concert which chronicles…

$20 – $25
3:00 pm - 4:15 pm Recurring

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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.…

$25 – $56
5:00 pm - 7:00 pm

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…

Free
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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0 events, 15

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1 event, 20

2:30 pm - 4:00 pm

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…

$20 – $35
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
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 12
August 12 @ 7:30 pm - 10:30 pm Recurring

Stravinsky’s Ballets

August 13
August 13 @ 7:30 pm - 10:30 pm Recurring

Stravinsky’s Ballets

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

The Lieder Society of Victoria: Erwartung – Markus Matheis & Dean Sky-Lucas

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

The Lieder Society of Victoria: Erwartung – Markus Matheis & Dean Sky-Lucas

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

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August 20
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Real and Right and True – Lotte Betts-Dean and Calvin Bowman

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

Wanderlust

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