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Musica Viva: Nicolas Fleury, Emily Sun and Amir Farid

by Julie McErlain 30th June, 2021
by Julie McErlain 30th June, 2021

Great excitement surrounded the announcement by Musica Viva to bring three distinguished international soloists to form a trio for a National Australian tour. The appointment of French musician Nicolas Fleury as Principal Horn in the Melbourne Symphony Orchestra allowed him to team up with international legends, violinist Emily Sun and pianist Amir Farid using Sydney, as a base for launching a tour of exciting concert repertoire and regional workshops. Musica Viva is committed to presenting live music in as many states as possible, but not all planned ventures could overcome even Australia’s current volatility with musicians in lockdown or quarantine. Following concerts in Adelaide and Sydney, cancellation of Melbourne concerts and live streaming, Musica Viva nevertheless, were able to schedule a last minute on-line concert by the trio in Chatswood’s Concourse Theatre.

We are thankful that composer Ernst Naumann arranged Mozart’s challenging Quintet K407, performed in this concert as the Horn Trio in Eb, Mozart’s favourite key for the horn. A brilliant and perfectly balanced opening to the Allegro heralded the brilliance of this ensemble. Bright and sharp execution of colourful tones combined with Mozart’s spirit and energy was a delight to hear. From Fleury’s golden instrument came a warm and soulful tone in rich and satisfying melodies where ornaments, trills and embellishments were smoothly delivered. His low notes were full of character and bold assertion – Mozart would have smiled. In the Andante we were captivated by the lyrical, aria like opening melody on the violin. Not just an exceptional string sound, but also a unique tone colour glowed from Emily Sun’s 1760 Gagliano violin. Horn and violin showed an ease and gracefulness in expressive and graceful conversations. In the Rondo we continued to admire the joy and spirit coming from this balanced team, the fullness of their sound and the addition of luxuriant bass tones on the grand piano. Ornaments and embellishments and the clarity of rapid cadenzas on the horn continued to impress.

Gordon Kerry is a prolific and widely performed Australian composer with a long association with Musica Viva, writing pieces ranging from symphonic and chamber music to choral works and opera. Julian Burnside AO QC has continued his generous commitment to performing arts, commissioning Kerry’s Sonata for Violin and Piano (2020). Described succinctly by Paul Kildea, the sonata “starts with a whisper and ends in a soaring declaration”. Described as a sonata in one movement, a three-tiered level of structural development could be felt. Opening with a celestial four note motif on the violin against intermittent piano tremolos, ripples and clusters, there was an important use of space and silence, colours of glassy, reflected, fragments from a mosaic, free-time, reflective and engaging. A “middle” section highlighted Emily Sun’s authoritative and expressively passionate long tones, as further scattered icy ripples and bell-like piano shapes added assertive rhythms and brilliant rapid technical flurries for both instruments. High soaring notes, extensive tremolos and tonal exploration took us towards a final platform of embellished trills and turns. With varied recollections of introductory motifs, a finely balanced partnership of varied and colourful timbres on both instruments gave Kerry’s work a fine World Premier hearing.

How impressive was Emily Sun’s leadership in Brahms’ Horn Trio in Eb, her luscious, warm and resonant tone expressing highly emotive swells of passion and richness. Amir Farid responded accordingly, demonstrating equally passionate colours and emotion in flowing piano arpeggios and richly textured accompaniment. The Scherzo was an exciting and energetic journey,introduced by an envigorating staccato piano accompaniment that became more powerful and scintillating with striking mood and key changes. In the low brooding piano chords that opened the third movement Adagio Mesto, we felt Brahms’ introspection, growing sorrow and deep feelings of loss. A simple, poignant rising two note phrase added further questioning from the violin, with only the piano replying with shadows and gloom in troubled low chords. The trio produced some magnificent orchestral grandeur, but the low bass notes of the piano added intense finality in the Eb minor key. If this third movement was a sorrowful tribute by Brahms, commemorating the death of his mother, the bold, brisk and buoyant tones of the fourth movement called on us to muster our resilience and respond to the call of the horn. And how triumphant was the horn in this final Allegro con Brio, calling the chargeof the hunt with true military phrases and galloping fanfares. Again, there was an admirable display of unique tone colours, virtuosic skill and vibrancy of spirit from this exemplary team of world class musicians.

Musica Viva is to be commended for adding Workshops by performers, very complete Concert Guide notes, fabulous Pre Concert talks, and Recordings and Webinars of great educational value to their prime concert program.

Photo supplied.

_______________________________________________________

Julie McErlain reviewed Musica Viva’s National Tour concert “Nicolas Fleury, Emily Sun and Amir Farid” recorded at the Concourse Theatre, Sydney, and presented via Melbourne Digital Concert Hall on June 21, 2021.

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Julie McErlain

Julie McErlain has a passionate love of and involvement with many kinds of music. Classically trained, she completed a bachelor of Music at the University of Melbourne with Honours in Piano and Composition, also studying oboe, percussion and guitar, and completing a sub-major in English. She supported herself as a student playing at Ballet Victoria and Australian Ballet schools, in musical theatre groups and in the wider entertainment industry as a solo pianist, and in a wide variety of classical, popular, folk and jazz ensembles. She has an active involvement in performing regularly in classical music concerts, jazz and contemporary music, also playing the saxophone and creating the first Women & Jazz festival and workshop series in Melbourne in 1981. Always a music teacher, conductor, concert and festival goer, Julie was Music Concert Reviewer for the Warrnambool STANDARD for three years, covering all styles of major music performances, promoting local music and reviewing major Australian artists and companies. She loves having the opportunity to hear new music, be inspired and challenged to use her creative writing skills, and contribute to promoting unique musical performances.

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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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11:30 am - 12:40 pm

Mostly Mozart – Musical Mavericks

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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

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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

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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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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 @ 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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Mostly Mozart – Musical Mavericks

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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
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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
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Wanderlust

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Melbourne Guitar Quartet – Flow My Tears

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Rutter’s Requiem and the 16th RMP Aria Final

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Rutter’s Requiem and the 16th RMP Aria Final

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