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Jayson Gillham: Bach and the Romantics

by Glenn Riddle 21st June, 2019
by Glenn Riddle 21st June, 2019

Australian pianist Jayson Gillham has been on the radar of local music lovers for over a decade now, but it was his success at the Montreal International Piano Competition in 2014 that launched his international career, one which on the evidence of his “Bach and the Romantics” themed recital at the Melbourne Recital Centre continues to flourish in an upward trajectory – something that is not always the case with competition laureates.

Fresh from an acclaimed cycle of the complete Beethoven Piano Concertos with the Adelaide Symphony Orchestra under the stewardship of their equally youthful Principal Conductor, Nicholas Carter, (live performances that will soon be released on ABC Classics), Gillham attracted a sizeable and enthusiastic audience to Elisabeth Murdoch Hall, enthralling them with an eclectic program of less familiar original works by Bach and Schumann, complemented by popular virtuoso transcriptions by three of the great pianist/composers: Rachmaninoff, Busoni and of course, Franz Liszt.

The first half of the recital centred around Bach, opening with Rachmaninoff’s masterly transcription of the Prélude from the German Kapellmeister’s Solo Violin Partita in E major. The sparkling clarity of Gillham’s articulation was evident from the outset, before culminating in an imposing climax that was decidedly more Russian Romantic than German Baroque, for that indeed is what the music called for. Gillham’s mastery of intricate contrapuntal textures came to the fore in the ensuing Fantasia and Fugue in A minor where unerring clarity of line sustained interest, while the music propelled the listener towards a rich-toned climax.

By contrast, Gillham’s nuanced tonal refinement was perfectly suited to Egon Petri’s multi-hued arrangement of the popular Sheep May Safely Graze. Richly ornamented pathos was a feature of the six-movement Capriccio “on the Departure of a Beloved Brother”, one of Bach’s few autobiographical works, a youthful programmatic composition which marks Johann Jacob Bach’s engagement as oboist in the army of Charles II of Sweden. The opening half concluded with a towering reading of the vast Romantic canvas that is Ferruccio Busoni’s arrangement of Bach’s violin chef d’oeuvre, the mighty Chaconne from the D minor Solo Partita.

After interval Gillham entered authentic Romantic repertoire with Schumann’s Waldszenen, a late masterwork that recalls in many respects the intimate lyricism of the much earlier, and better known, Kinderszenen. Here Gillham perfectly captured the delicate fragility of the wispy Bird as Prophet, the undoubted gem of the cycle, before delving into the bucolic joviality of Hunting Song and the melancholic lyricism of the concluding Farewell.

Gillham made light of the unrelenting virtuosity of the rapid-fire double octave frenzy that is Liszt’s arrangement of Schubert’s lied The Erlking. This was very much the storm before the calm as Gillham entered into the broadly-paced poetry of Liszt’s arrangement of Schubert’s agonizingly lyrical Der Müller und der Bach. A slightly unsettled reading of Liszt’s transcription of Schumann’s Widmung ensued, before Gillham regained his musical footing with a spell-binding Frühlingsnacht that brought the recital to a satisfying close.

Gillham is certainly one of Australia’s finest pianists, young or otherwise, and those keen to hear him again can return to the MRC on August 7 when he performs with singers Nicole Car and Étienne Dupuis in a recital consisting primarily of French chansons.

As I’ve mentioned before in previous reviews, this most enjoyable of recitals would only have been enhanced – in the absence of detailed program notes – by informative, even if brief, introductions to each of the works by the performer. Gillham has truckloads of musical personality and stage presence. Building a personal connection with his audience via illuminating forewords, whether scholarly or anecdotal, would only have added to the audience’s musical engagement.

________________________________________

Glenn Riddle reviewed Jayson Gillham’s piano recital “Bach and the Romantics” given at the Melbourne Recital Centre, Elisabeth Murdoch Hall as part of the MRC’s “Piano Series” on June 17, 2019.

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  • August 2022

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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

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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

1 event, 12

7:30 pm - 10:30 pm Recurring

Stravinsky’s Ballets

August 12 @ 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…

$64 – $119

1 event, 13

7:30 pm - 10:30 pm Recurring

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…

$64 – $119

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

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,…

$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

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

Mostly Mozart – Musical Mavericks

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  • 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

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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 - 4:15 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 - 4:15 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
August 20 @ 2:30 pm - 4:00 pm

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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