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

Stefan Cassomenos: Prints and Mirrrors

by Julie McErlain 23rd May, 2021
by Julie McErlain 23rd May, 2021

Concerts regularly held at the magnificent state heritage-listed Beleura House are a very special experience. Built in 1863, this classic Italianate villa welcomes lovers of art and history to admire the gardens and original interiors of the country home of composer John Tallis, and hear Melbourne’s finest musicians in an extensive all-year round program, with a bonus treat of sharing a fine silver service tea with French pastries and macaroons. Probably the most significant attraction for concert pianists, is the intimate music salon, The Pavilion, which is home to two uniquely designed Stuart grand pianos specially commissioned by Beleura, with their extended size and keyboard range allowing performers new tonal possibilities to explore. Stefan Cassomenos astutely chose a program to complement the Autumn colours and sunshine of the day, with music whose inspiration came from the historical flavours and traditions of European art and culture.

Into this dreamlike and colourful world of Autumn in historic Beleura, how perfect were Debussy’s Les Estampes, three sensuous and impressionistic musical portraits, where Cassomenos took us on an exotic journey from the Far East (Pagodes), to Spain (La Soirée dans Grenade), returning to his home in France with Jardins sous la pluie. The Stuart piano allowed Cassomenos to exploit atmospheric heights with ringing upper chords and high repeated motifs, and to take us into new sonic depths with powerful sustaining auras in low bass steps. Inner modal melodies were given a forthright contrasting tone colour, with balanced accompanying patterns adding sensitivity and distant visions. An Evening in Granada is more suggestive of the colour and flavour of Spain with its repeated lilting habanera dance rhythm echoing through every octave of the Stuart piano. Cassomenos augmented the pictorial story, using the instrument’s timbres to portray the passion and freedom of the soul of the dance. Rapid short light staccato patterns of Gardens In The Rain leapt and flew with incessant movement, highlighting Cassomenos’ virtuosity, energy and flair.

Composed in 2012, Studies in Odd Times, by Adelaide composer Anna Cawrse can ambiguously represent very certain musical odd times in these continuing uncertain times. Loosely based on Bartok’s 6 Dances in Bulgarian Rhythms, these miniatures were highly engaging, colourful and fresh, with innovative textures, joyful shapes and sparkle. Cassomenos feels very at home with the syncopated dance beats and timings of traditional Greek folk music and we shared that joie de vivre. The insistent walking beats and flowing steps of Nightshade allowed much tonal colour to be produced, while Stomp brought a stronger dynamic and energy with a clear 7-time meter and the accented footfall of dance steps. Above repeated short left hand ostinato patterns of Whimsy, the upper melodies climbed and searched in gentle shifts and wanderings. Bittersweet flowed with a steady pulse and broody repeated bass pattern, alternating a feel of groups of 5 and 3 beats, with fortified right hand accents adding insistent declarations and percussive colour. True to expectations, Twitch built a sharp, pointed and fragmented picture with scattered snippets and agitated motives. Drive was indeed a stimulating and new short journey, with a central single repeated note repeated at length while surrounded by stark but exciting open shapes and double octaves. Pulse beats were accented in repeated triple and duple meters creating much momentum and energy. Wonderful piano music.

Cassomenos then acknowledged the Australian composer, pianist and educator Sonny Chua (1967 – 2020) as a mentor whose works inspired him to compose from the age of seven. As a tribute to Chua, he performed his set of Genesis – Transcendental Studies. In The Beginning (“let there be light”) repeated upper melodies rippled as chords built up eventually becoming a descending, deep sonic blur. The Fruit gave us some quirky clusters and staccato fragments, almost percussive, enjoyable to taste, while flowing and surging, relentless natural forces were felt in The Rain with a clear section of regular, scattered tones imitating clear drops of water. The Coat (Allegro) was a true coat of many colours with vibrant full textures, surges in dynamics, balanced design and richly satisfying material.

The concluding work was one of Ravel’s finest impressionist pieces, the five movement work Miroirs.  Cassomenos delivered a breathtakingly beautiful and iridescent performance. Listeners were motionless, spellbound, lost in a faraway place, somewhere between Beleura’s historic gardens and near a rainbow. Noctuelles revealed smooth glossy colours and fleeting silvery reflections, while Oiseaux Tristes revealed much tone colour in expressive cadenzas and moments of sombre, distant solitude. Cassomenos hypnotised us with his introspective and affective colourations here as the Stuart piano added a high metallic edge to shimmering virtuosic trills and tremolos, and resonant lower keys took us further into a deep, calm and peaceful underworld in Une barque sur l’océan. Percussive repeated notes gave Alborado del gracio modern, adventurous and dramatic exotic chords with a highly emphasised melody projected from a refined and colourful accompaniment. In the final piece, La vallee des cloches, strong bell -like tones and lyrical melodies were exposed following a mesmerising and hypnotic soft opening. In the warm tonal harmony we held our breath, finally sinking into envelopes of echoes and sustained overtones.

There were many shouts of Bravo from the full house.

Photo supplied.

__________________________________________________

Julie McErlain reviewed Stefan Cassomenos’ piano recital Prints and Mirrors, given at Beleura House, Mornington on May 20, 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 Opera: Verdi’s Macbeth
next post
Melbourne Bach Chamber Choir: Bach to Bowman

Events Calendar

Loading view.
  • August 2022

Calendar of Events

M Mon

T Tue

W Wed

T Thu

F Fri

S Sat

S Sun

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

0 events, 15

0 events, 16

0 events, 17

0 events, 18

0 events, 19

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

0 events, 21

0 events, 22

0 events, 23

0 events, 24

0 events, 25

0 events, 26

0 events, 27

0 events, 28

0 events, 29

0 events, 30

0 events, 31

0 events, 1

0 events, 2

0 events, 3

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

Wanderlust

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

Romeo & Juliet

17th September, 2011

Ludovico’s Band: Sound the Trumpet

6th November, 2019

MCO: The Virtuoso Recorder

30th April, 2015