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Classic Melbourne
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For its concert at the Melbourne Recital Centre, the Flinders Quartet – including guest violinist Shaun Lee-Chen – walked out onto the stage and almost immediately began playing.   The first work listed in the program was by Elena Kats-Chernin and, indeed, the work we heard clearly had the ‘folk’ themes that informed this concert. However, this was not Kats-Chernin’s new work, it was Bartok – but not the Bartok Rumanian Folk Dances we were to hear later. Confused? Let’s begin again. Flinders Quartet chose to begin its concert, Folk Memories, with a bonus: later announced as Bartok Duos, but clearly involving all players. The music served both to establish the credentials of the players – not that these were ever in doubt – and to set the scene for an evening of what is generally recognised as folk or peasant-inspired music. (It was illuminating to read the Quartet’s own program notes which quoted authority Gabor Takacs-Nagy speaking of peasants, rather than Gypsy fiddlers, ‘grasping the bow in a fist after a hard day in the fields and enjoying the day’s work through playing music’). This sense of music having a real connection with people’s lives was most relevant to Kats-Chernin’s Joyce’s Mob. ‘Joyce’ was Joyce Evans who, for the second time, had asked the composer for a work based on her own ‘mob’. Evans was in the audience, and like cellist Zoe Knighton, spoke (to applause) of the contribution of ‘boat people’ of earlier times, who brought their families, traditions and music with them. The message for our times was clear – but this was not a night for politics, it was an occasion to appreciate fine music. For its part, Flinders Quartet played Joyce’s Mob with great understanding for the ‘characters’ and events Kats-Chernin created. There was a lot of movement and contrasts in the work and, as expected, influences from the composer’s background. So it was interesting that the third movement was based on ‘a Polish melody that Joyce’s mother used to sing to her’, according to Kats-Chernin. The theme was almost hypnotic in its repetition, but also had a sweetness well conveyed by the Quartet. In this, and the lilting dance-like sound of the movement, the players demonstrated the synchronicity they are famous for – with Lee-Chen an easy fit. Although the Quartet as a whole thrilled in the restless, rapid final movement, Lee-Chen had the opportunity to show his prowess as a soloist. First violin up to this point, Helen Ayres, gracefully allowed the guest to take over the lead role in the Bartok Rumanian Folk Dances. Lee-Chen obliged with beautiful playing from the opening Stick Dance, while integrating easily with the other three musicians. While the second, Sash Dance, gave the spirited melody to the violins, it also showed that four musicians of exceptional quality can nevertheless blend well to produce a captivating sound. The complexity of the final movement – the rapid tempo being just one challenge – required technical brilliance combined with harmonic sweetness. The Quartet triumphed in this, as it did in the Beethoven – the one work that was consciously written for musicians of such calibre. Ironically, its more elitist perspective made this the odd one out in this program although I accept that this view could be contested. And, in terms of performance, there was no disappointment. It is hardly surprising that the Flinders Quartet played the work with consummate ease. What made this more extraordinary was that one of the violinists was a guest, yet fitted so well. Anyone who saw Flinders Quartet’s imaginative collaboration with Red Stitch in last year’s play, Behind Closed Doors, would understand what I mean. But perhaps the lesson the Quartet took away from Adam Cass’s play was that you need to be very, very careful about inviting an ‘outsider’ into your group. On this occasion, the Quartet chose very well! Rating: 4 stars out of 5 Folk Memories Flinders Quartet Violinists: Helen Ayres and Shaun Lee-Chen Viola: Helen Ireland Cello: Zoe Knighton   Program: Bartok Rumanian Folk Dances Elena Kats-Chernin Joyce’s Mob (World premiere commissioned by Flinders Quartet with support from Joyce Evans) Beethoven String Quartet No. 7 in F major, Op. 59, No. 1 Melbourne Recital Centre 28 August  

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Events Calendar

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  • August 2022

Calendar of Events

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2 events, 1

1:00 pm - 2:00 pm

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…

Free
6:00 pm - 7:00 pm

Seraphim Trio – Gallic Charm

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

Seraphim Trio – Gallic Charm

A performance of cherished works and Gallic beauty. About the artists Seraphim Trio is as much a lifelong friendship as a…

$40 – $50

0 events, 2

1 event, 3

11:30 am - 12:40 pm

Mostly Mozart – Musical Mavericks

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

Mostly Mozart – Musical Mavericks

Riveting passion balanced with delicate lyricism. About the artists Scottish born James Crabb is widely regarded as one of the world’s…

$42 – $49

0 events, 4

0 events, 5

1 event, 6

7:30 pm - 9:00 pm

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…

$65.55 – $159

2 events, 7

2:30 pm - 3:30 pm

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 -…

$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

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…

$40 – $50

0 events, 9

0 events, 10

1 event, 11

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…

$40 – $50

0 events, 12

0 events, 13

3 events, 14

3:00 pm - 4:15 pm Recurring

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.…

$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.…

$25 – $56

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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,…

$10 – $35

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1 event, 4

3:00 pm - 4:30 pm

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

  • There are no events on this day.
August 3
August 3 @ 11:30 am - 12:40 pm

Mostly Mozart – Musical Mavericks

  • There are no events on this day.
  • There are no events on this day.
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

  • There are no events on this day.
  • There are no events on this day.
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

  • There are no events on this day.
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

  • There are no events on this day.
  • There are no events on this day.
  • There are no events on this day.
  • There are no events on this day.
  • There are no events on this day.
August 20
August 20 @ 2:30 pm - 4:00 pm

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

  • There are no events on this day.
  • There are no events on this day.
  • There are no events on this day.
  • There are no events on this day.
  • There are no events on this day.
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  • There are no events on this day.
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  • There are no events on this day.
  • There are no events on this day.
  • There are no events on this day.
September 4
September 4 @ 3:00 pm - 4:30 pm

Wanderlust

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