Classic Melbourne
  • News
  • Reviews
  • Calendar
    • Terms and conditions
    • Apply to post your events
    • Post Your Event
  • Newsletter Signup
  • About
  • Contact
Classic Melbourne
  • News
  • Reviews
  • Calendar
    • Terms and conditions
    • Apply to post your events
    • Post Your Event
  • Newsletter Signup
  • About
  • Contact

Partridge String Quartet: Awakening

by Julie McErlain 3rd December, 2021
by Julie McErlain 3rd December, 2021

Awakening – a modest but apt title for a post lockdown emergence of Spring music in a magnificent heritage performance space. In the historic house and gardens of Beleura, a vibrant concert program is bringing outstanding young and established artists to a very creative and inspiring performance venue. Lockdown caused Beleura to postpone several concerts, but manager Martin Green was quick to re-schedule Australian National Academy of Music and jazz concerts, and annual Christmas musical theatre. Even Spring was slightly postponed to accommodate the Partridge Quartet today.

Fresh, exciting and inventive, the Partridge Quartet – comprising Natalia Harvey and Jos Janker (violins), Eunis Cheng (viola) and Daniel Smith (Cello) – was formed at the Australian National Academy of Music in 2017, and has now become a nationally recognised prize-winning chamber music group. They join the growing numbers of young musicians who are passionate advocates and promoters of chamber music written by emerging and established Australian composers.

The opening work, Plan and Elevation,was inspired by its creator’s love of architecture, space and form, and was also a response to the gardens of Dumbarton Oaks, a stunning historic estate in Washington. (The parallel inspired comparisons with today’s venue; the similarly historic Beleura seemed a significant and meaningful co-incidence.) At the age of 30, prolific composer Caroline Shaw was the youngest recipient of the Pulitzer Prize for Music, and she enjoyed being in residence at Dumbarton Oaks. Five movements – Ellipse, The Cutting Garden, The Herbaceous Border, The Orangerie, and Beech Tree, made up a fascinating suite of intriguing musical forms for this work. Classical sections of tonal chords – stately and reverential hymn-like short sections – were contrasted abruptly with contemporary pizzicato staccato pulses and solo instruments exploring new melodic shapes against varied timbral accompaniment and percussive interjections. Ostinato patterns gave a kind of solid framework, which contrasted with a variety of fragmented sections. Harmony and repose came from drone-like sustained notes, occasional harmonious chords and closing chordal passages, almost hymn-like and ancestral, providing repose when bursts of atonality and inventiveness challenged the musical design. The variety of changing elements and fractured short sections may have been a surprise to listeners more comfortable with development and flow, as the work seemed intellectually conceived, unique in design.

From the Partridge String Quartet came a terrific string tone, a beautiful musical interaction between solo and accompanying lines, a balanced ensemble, experienced artistry, plus a warm and charismatic connection with the audience. Having presented all of Richard Mills’ string quartets at the 2018 Port Fairy Spring Music Festival, and also having performed movements from his 4th Quartet in the 70th birthday Celebrations for this revered composer and conductor in Elizabeth Murdoch Hall, the Partridge Quartet were well versed in the complex language of Mills’ latest string quartet – Quartet No 5. And what a robust, full-bodied work this was, with highly textured orchestration, an exciting rhythmic flow, subtle melodic conversation between pairs of instruments, as well as being a technical showpiece for these four highly skilled musicians. Waves of soaring crescendos and diminuendos required blended sound and teamwork. There were gorgeous touches of lyricism and sections that contrasted capricious and helter-skelter activity with more peaceful, almost pastorale movement. The cello was given a range of interesting solo melodies across various pitch registers in Mills’ quite brilliantly orchestrated work, a work with multi-layered textures, emotion and expression, full of challenges, boldness, hope and promise.

Always a popular work, admired for its precision, clarity, colour and buoyancy, Maurice Ravel’s String Quartet in F major is full of the rich new colours and fresh tones of Spring. Eunis Cheng embraced Ravel’s sensuous and rich writing for the viola, producing a big, well-rounded tone in the many assertive and leading melodies in this quartet. The well-known second movement, so unique with its colourful pizzicato and running and dancing cross rhythms, was just delightful.  How easy it was to lose oneself in this magnificent venue surrounded by a magical web of Ravel’s gorgeous harmonic textures and shimmering violins in a lovely third movement. It was in the fourth and final movement that the Quartet proved their capabilities of exploding into a powerful tone, showing a huge variety of timbres, stronger emotional power and proving their reputation as a highly accomplished and popular ensemble.

And always, the after concert fine tea and petit fours in the grand mansion, meeting the musicians, celebrating live music again, provide the cherry on the cake!

Photo credit: Beleura

_____________________________________________________

Julie McErlain reviewed “Awakening” performed by the Partridge String Quartet at Beleura House on December 2, 2021.

0
FacebookTwitterLinkedinEmail
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.

previous post
Melbourne Chamber Orchestra: Dixit Dominus
next post
Mark Isaacs: Solo Extempore

Events Calendar

Loading view.
  • May 2022

Calendar of Events

M Mon

T Tue

W Wed

T Thu

F Fri

S Sat

S Sun

0 events, 25

2 events, 26

6:00 pm - 7:00 pm

Mystic Dances

April 26 @ 6:00 pm - 7:00 pm

Mystic Dances

The sumptuous combination of flute, viola and harp. The sumptuous combination of flute, viola and harp unites three exciting, young soloists…

$30 – $37
7:00 pm - 8:10 pm

ASQ in Concert: Britten Paterson Beethoven

April 26 @ 7:00 pm - 8:10 pm

ASQ in Concert: Britten Paterson Beethoven

Program Benjamin Britten Three Divertimenti David Paterson String Quartet No.1 (Melbourne premiere)* Ludwig van Beethoven String Quartet in C, Op.59 No.3,…

$60 – $70

0 events, 27

0 events, 28

0 events, 29

1 event, 30

7:00 pm - 8:15 pm

Royal Melbourne Philharmonic: Across the Vast, Eternal Sky – The music of Ola Gjeilo

April 30 @ 7:00 pm - 8:15 pm

Royal Melbourne Philharmonic: Across the Vast, Eternal Sky – The music of Ola Gjeilo

Ola Gjeilo is one of the most frequently performed composers in the choral world. An accomplished pianist, improvisations over his own…

$25 – $55

2 events, 1

2:30 pm - 4:30 pm

Melbourne Chamber Orchestra: Bach’s World

May 1 @ 2:30 pm - 4:30 pm

Melbourne Chamber Orchestra: Bach’s World

Music from Bach’s world, and music inspired by it, with guest direction by Sophie Rowell. Program Jan Zelenka Hypocondrie à 7…

$30 – $143
3:00 pm - 5:30 pm Recurring

Melbourne Opera: The Rise and Fall of the City of Mahagonny

May 1 @ 3:00 pm - 5:30 pm Recurring

Melbourne Opera: The Rise and Fall of the City of Mahagonny

Presented by IOpera and Melbourne Opera, The Rise and Fall of the City of Mahagonny is a satirical opera which premiered…

$35 – $95

2 events, 2

6:00 pm - 7:00 pm

Penny Quartet: Metamorphosis

May 2 @ 6:00 pm - 7:00 pm

Penny Quartet: Metamorphosis

Celebrating the joys and complexities of the string quartet. Program György Ligeti String Quartet No.1, ‘Métamorphoses nocturnes’ Ella Macens Resting with…

$30 – $37
7:00 pm - 8:30 pm

Ensemble Liaison & Friends: Pictures

May 2 @ 7:00 pm - 8:30 pm

Ensemble Liaison & Friends: Pictures

An animated, intimate and joyous event not to be missed. Program Christoph Willibald Gluck Orfeo ed Euridice Act II: ‘Dance of…

$45 – $55

2 events, 3

7:00 pm - 9:00 pm Recurring

Musica Viva: Van Diemen’s Band

May 3 @ 7:00 pm - 9:00 pm Recurring

Musica Viva: Van Diemen’s Band

Australia’s finest early music specialists invite you to experience the beautiful melding of cultures in Europe’s historical borderlands for Musica Viva…

$40 – $153
7:30 pm - 9:30 pm Recurring

Melbourne Opera: The Rise and Fall of the City of Mahagonny

May 3 @ 7:30 pm - 9:30 pm Recurring

Melbourne Opera: The Rise and Fall of the City of Mahagonny

Presented by IOpera and Melbourne Opera, The Rise and Fall of the City of Mahagonny is a satirical opera which premiered…

$35 – $95

1 event, 4

7:30 pm - 10:10 pm Recurring

Opera Australia: La Traviata

May 4 @ 7:30 pm - 10:10 pm Recurring

Opera Australia: La Traviata

Raise your glass, bat your pretty lashes, it’s Paris in the salons and you’re the life of the party. He’s staring…

$38 – $289

1 event, 5

7:30 pm - 9:30 pm Recurring

Melbourne Opera: The Rise and Fall of the City of Mahagonny

May 5 @ 7:30 pm - 9:30 pm Recurring

Melbourne Opera: The Rise and Fall of the City of Mahagonny

Presented by IOpera and Melbourne Opera, The Rise and Fall of the City of Mahagonny is a satirical opera which premiered…

$35 – $95

0 events, 6

1 event, 7

7:30 pm - 10:10 pm Recurring

Opera Australia: La Traviata

May 7 @ 7:30 pm - 10:10 pm Recurring

Opera Australia: La Traviata

Raise your glass, bat your pretty lashes, it’s Paris in the salons and you’re the life of the party. He’s staring…

$38 – $289

3 events, 8

2:00 pm - 6:00 pm

Mother’s Day at fortyfivedownstairs: “Viola, Viola” and “Brahms and Dances”

May 8 @ 2:00 pm - 6:00 pm

Mother’s Day at fortyfivedownstairs: “Viola, Viola” and “Brahms and Dances”

Mothers Day at fortyfivedownstairs! On Sunday the 8th of May, enjoy two gorgeous recitals in our theatre and a lovely afternoon…

$70
3:00 pm - 4:30 pm

Melbourne Opera: Bel Canto Opera Spectacular

May 8 @ 3:00 pm - 4:30 pm

Melbourne Opera: Bel Canto Opera Spectacular

  Join a superb line-up of Australia's most renowned opera stars and the Melbourne Opera Orchestra on Mother's Day and celebrate…

$59
5:00 pm - 7:00 pm

Australian Brandenburg Orchestra: Mozart

May 8 @ 5:00 pm - 7:00 pm

Australian Brandenburg Orchestra: Mozart

Stepping in to perform a sublime solo work in place of Craig Hill is none other than the Brandenburg’s own beloved Concertmaster, Shaun Lee-Chen.

$30 – $170

2 events, 9

11:00 am - 12:00 pm

KIAZMA – Relaxed Performance

May 9 @ 11:00 am - 12:00 pm

KIAZMA – Relaxed Performance

About the artists Described as ‘masterful’, ‘positively ecstatic’ and ‘profoundly moving, subtle and exuberant’, the KIAZMA Piano Duo brings together the infectious musical…

$10
5:00 pm - 6:00 pm

Selby and Friends Twilight Series – Four-Part Harmony

May 9 @ 5:00 pm - 6:00 pm

Selby and Friends Twilight Series – Four-Part Harmony

This program of beautiful piano quartets with four artists of extraordinary skill and warmth will be thrilling. Program Paul Stanhope My…

$55 – $57

1 event, 10

7:30 pm - 10:10 pm Recurring

Opera Australia: La Traviata

May 10 @ 7:30 pm - 10:10 pm Recurring

Opera Australia: La Traviata

Raise your glass, bat your pretty lashes, it’s Paris in the salons and you’re the life of the party. He’s staring…

$38 – $289

0 events, 11

2 events, 12

7:00 pm - 8:00 pm

Jacqueline Porter & Dean Sky-Lucas – The Art of French Song

May 12 @ 7:00 pm - 8:00 pm

Jacqueline Porter & Dean Sky-Lucas – The Art of French Song

Jacqueline Porter (soprano) and Dean Sky-Lucas (piano) explore the inextricable links between poetry and music in an evening of exquisite French…

$24 – $44
8:30 pm - 9:30 pm

Kawai Piano Series – Stefan Cassomenos – Hammerklavier

Stefan Cassemenos
May 12 @ 8:30 pm - 9:30 pm

Kawai Piano Series – Stefan Cassomenos – Hammerklavier

Internationally acclaimed pianist Stefan Cassomenos presents three sweeping visions from venerated compositional titans - Ligeti’s epic whirlwind étude 'Fanfares', Gubaidulina’s earth-shattering…

$24 – $44

1 event, 13

7:30 pm - 10:10 pm Recurring

Opera Australia: La Traviata

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

Opera Australia: La Traviata

Raise your glass, bat your pretty lashes, it’s Paris in the salons and you’re the life of the party. He’s staring…

$38 – $289

2 events, 14

6:00 pm - 10:20 pm Recurring

Opera Australia: Lohengrin

Lohengrin with Jonas Kaufmann
May 14 @ 6:00 pm - 10:20 pm Recurring

Opera Australia: Lohengrin

In a romance of mythical proportions, our Knight of the Swan rescues his damsel asking only one thing in return… Elsa…

$149
7:00 pm - 9:00 pm Recurring

Musica Viva: Van Diemen’s Band

May 14 @ 7:00 pm - 9:00 pm Recurring

Musica Viva: Van Diemen’s Band

Australia’s finest early music specialists invite you to experience the beautiful melding of cultures in Europe’s historical borderlands for Musica Viva…

$40 – $153

1 event, 15

5:00 pm - 6:00 pm

GLOW – Jasper Ly and Peter Dumsday

May 15 @ 5:00 pm - 6:00 pm

GLOW – Jasper Ly and Peter Dumsday

Jasper Ly is an Australian oboist based in Melbourne. He is a dynamic and vibrant performer who aims to captivate and…

$25 – $35

2 events, 16

7:30 pm - 9:30 pm Recurring

Australian Chamber Orchestra: Mozart Sinfonia Concertante

May 16 @ 7:30 pm - 9:30 pm Recurring

Australian Chamber Orchestra: Mozart Sinfonia Concertante

Benjamin Britten and Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart reach out to one another across the centuries in profound and deeply moving communion. Mozart’s…

$25 – $131
7:30 pm - 10:10 pm Recurring

Opera Australia: La Traviata

May 16 @ 7:30 pm - 10:10 pm Recurring

Opera Australia: La Traviata

Raise your glass, bat your pretty lashes, it’s Paris in the salons and you’re the life of the party. He’s staring…

$38 – $289

1 event, 17

6:00 pm - 10:20 pm Recurring

Opera Australia: Lohengrin

Lohengrin with Jonas Kaufmann
May 17 @ 6:00 pm - 10:20 pm Recurring

Opera Australia: Lohengrin

In a romance of mythical proportions, our Knight of the Swan rescues his damsel asking only one thing in return… Elsa…

$149

1 event, 18

7:30 pm - 10:10 pm Recurring

Opera Australia: La Traviata

May 18 @ 7:30 pm - 10:10 pm Recurring

Opera Australia: La Traviata

Raise your glass, bat your pretty lashes, it’s Paris in the salons and you’re the life of the party. He’s staring…

$38 – $289

0 events, 19

0 events, 20

2 events, 21

12:30 pm - 4:50 pm Recurring

Opera Australia: Lohengrin

Lohengrin with Jonas Kaufmann
May 21 @ 12:30 pm - 4:50 pm Recurring

Opera Australia: Lohengrin

In a romance of mythical proportions, our Knight of the Swan rescues his damsel asking only one thing in return… Elsa…

$149
7:30 pm - 9:30 pm Recurring

Australian Chamber Orchestra: Mozart Sinfonia Concertante

May 21 @ 7:30 pm - 9:30 pm Recurring

Australian Chamber Orchestra: Mozart Sinfonia Concertante

Benjamin Britten and Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart reach out to one another across the centuries in profound and deeply moving communion. Mozart’s…

$25 – $131

0 events, 22

0 events, 23

1 event, 24

6:00 pm - 10:20 pm Recurring

Opera Australia: Lohengrin

Lohengrin with Jonas Kaufmann
May 24 @ 6:00 pm - 10:20 pm Recurring

Opera Australia: Lohengrin

In a romance of mythical proportions, our Knight of the Swan rescues his damsel asking only one thing in return… Elsa…

$149

0 events, 25

1 event, 26

7:30 pm - 10:10 pm Recurring

Opera Australia: La Traviata

May 26 @ 7:30 pm - 10:10 pm Recurring

Opera Australia: La Traviata

Raise your glass, bat your pretty lashes, it’s Paris in the salons and you’re the life of the party. He’s staring…

$38 – $289

0 events, 27

1 event, 28

12:30 pm - 3:10 pm Recurring

Opera Australia: La Traviata

May 28 @ 12:30 pm - 3:10 pm Recurring

Opera Australia: La Traviata

Raise your glass, bat your pretty lashes, it’s Paris in the salons and you’re the life of the party. He’s staring…

$38 – $289

0 events, 29

0 events, 30

0 events, 31

0 events, 1

0 events, 2

0 events, 3

0 events, 4

0 events, 5

  • There are no events on this day.
April 26
April 26 @ 6:00 pm - 7:00 pm

Mystic Dances

April 26 @ 7:00 pm - 8:10 pm

ASQ in Concert: Britten Paterson Beethoven

  • There are no events on this day.
  • There are no events on this day.
  • There are no events on this day.
April 30
April 30 @ 7:00 pm - 8:15 pm

Royal Melbourne Philharmonic: Across the Vast, Eternal Sky – The music of Ola Gjeilo

May 1
May 1 @ 2:30 pm - 4:30 pm

Melbourne Chamber Orchestra: Bach’s World

May 1 @ 3:00 pm - 5:30 pm Recurring

Melbourne Opera: The Rise and Fall of the City of Mahagonny

May 2
May 2 @ 6:00 pm - 7:00 pm

Penny Quartet: Metamorphosis

May 2 @ 7:00 pm - 8:30 pm

Ensemble Liaison & Friends: Pictures

May 3
May 3 @ 7:00 pm - 9:00 pm Recurring

Musica Viva: Van Diemen’s Band

May 3 @ 7:30 pm - 9:30 pm Recurring

Melbourne Opera: The Rise and Fall of the City of Mahagonny

May 4
May 4 @ 7:30 pm - 10:10 pm Recurring

Opera Australia: La Traviata

May 5
May 5 @ 7:30 pm - 9:30 pm Recurring

Melbourne Opera: The Rise and Fall of the City of Mahagonny

  • There are no events on this day.
May 7
May 7 @ 7:30 pm - 10:10 pm Recurring

Opera Australia: La Traviata

May 8
May 8 @ 2:00 pm - 6:00 pm

Mother’s Day at fortyfivedownstairs: “Viola, Viola” and “Brahms and Dances”

May 8 @ 3:00 pm - 4:30 pm

Melbourne Opera: Bel Canto Opera Spectacular

May 8 @ 5:00 pm - 7:00 pm

Australian Brandenburg Orchestra: Mozart

May 9
May 9 @ 11:00 am - 12:00 pm

KIAZMA – Relaxed Performance

May 9 @ 5:00 pm - 6:00 pm

Selby and Friends Twilight Series – Four-Part Harmony

May 10
May 10 @ 7:30 pm - 10:10 pm Recurring

Opera Australia: La Traviata

  • There are no events on this day.
May 12
May 12 @ 7:00 pm - 8:00 pm

Jacqueline Porter & Dean Sky-Lucas – The Art of French Song

May 12 @ 8:30 pm - 9:30 pm

Kawai Piano Series – Stefan Cassomenos – Hammerklavier

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

Opera Australia: La Traviata

May 14
May 14 @ 6:00 pm - 10:20 pm Recurring

Opera Australia: Lohengrin

May 14 @ 7:00 pm - 9:00 pm Recurring

Musica Viva: Van Diemen’s Band

May 15
May 15 @ 5:00 pm - 6:00 pm

GLOW – Jasper Ly and Peter Dumsday

May 16
May 16 @ 7:30 pm - 9:30 pm Recurring

Australian Chamber Orchestra: Mozart Sinfonia Concertante

May 16 @ 7:30 pm - 10:10 pm Recurring

Opera Australia: La Traviata

May 17
May 17 @ 6:00 pm - 10:20 pm Recurring

Opera Australia: Lohengrin

May 18
May 18 @ 7:30 pm - 10:10 pm Recurring

Opera Australia: La Traviata

May 21
May 21 @ 12:30 pm - 4:50 pm Recurring

Opera Australia: Lohengrin

May 21 @ 7:30 pm - 9:30 pm Recurring

Australian Chamber Orchestra: Mozart Sinfonia Concertante

May 24
May 24 @ 6:00 pm - 10:20 pm Recurring

Opera Australia: Lohengrin

May 26
May 26 @ 7:30 pm - 10:10 pm Recurring

Opera Australia: La Traviata

May 28
May 28 @ 12:30 pm - 3:10 pm Recurring

Opera Australia: La Traviata

  • There are no events on this day.
  • There are no events on this day.
May 21
May 21 @ 12:30 pm - 4:50 pm Recurring

Opera Australia: Lohengrin

May 21 @ 7:30 pm - 9:30 pm Recurring

Australian Chamber Orchestra: Mozart Sinfonia Concertante

  • There are no events on this day.
  • There are no events on this day.
May 24
May 24 @ 6:00 pm - 10:20 pm Recurring

Opera Australia: Lohengrin

  • There are no events on this day.
May 26
May 26 @ 7:30 pm - 10:10 pm Recurring

Opera Australia: La Traviata

  • There are no events on this day.
May 28
May 28 @ 12:30 pm - 3:10 pm Recurring

Opera Australia: La Traviata

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

Classic Melbourne’s reviews policy

audio
Our point of differenceby Editor Suzanne Yanko

Your browser does not support the audio element.

Follow us on Facebook

Classic Melbourne

Melbourne Arts Centre

Melbourne Arts Centre

Melbourne Recital Centre

Melbourne Recital Centre

Introducing Classic Melbourne

audio
Speech at launch by Conductor Andrew Wailes

Your browser does not support the audio element.

  • Facebook
  • Twitter
  • Email

@2019 - All Right Reserved.

Read alsox

Die Winterreise

23rd March, 2017

Simone Young conducts ANAM

20th August, 2014

Melbourne Bach Choir: J. S. Bach –...

17th April, 2022