Edwards Veni Creator Spiritus for string octet
Rossini String Sonata No.6 in D Major
Enescu Octet for Strings in C Major, Op.7
Violin Brendan Joyce, Sally-Ann Djachenko, Anne Horton, Jason Tong
Viola Elizabeth Lawrence, Gregory Daniel
Cello Nathan Smith
Double Bass Marian Heckenberg
There isn't anything quite like the sound of strings and Camerata's Unearthing Gems is a great example of that. Centering around the theme of young composers, there really is a youthful and lively feel to this particular Queensland Chamber Orchestra performance. Gathered in the Cremorne Theatre in QPAC there really isn’t a better way to spend your Sunday afternoon by listening to the luxurious sounds from these string instruments and to pieces by various composers such as Gioachino Rossini, Ross Edwards and George Enescu.
Rossini’s String Sonata No.6 in D Major that featured on the night was simple yet refined. Said to have been composed at the age of six years old, this is quite an impressive work. Often times Rossini’s work is compared to scoring done for opera. Rossini’s work is also quite regal sounding in the sense that he utilises the sounds of the Double Bass and Cello to keep a bobbing rhythm while adding lighter notes to the mix in a dance-like fashion. You could easily picture a luxurious opera set with characters dancing in time to the music. It isn’t at all hard to imagine when it comes to such fine music. When hearing this music live it is something else entirely, and rewarding to watch each of the unique musicians, with their own characteristics, play their instruments with passion.
Edwards Veni Creator Spiritus (Come, O Creator Spirit) for string octet was interesting to experience as it is a piece from one of Australia’s most ‘distinguished composers’. Angelic and illuminating sounds from this piece that make it almost haunting but painfully beautiful to listen to. The music successfully transported the audience into a different world of sounds and colourful string patterns. Not to mention the joyful string plucks that occured at specific moments. It’s safe to say that each part of the performance was enjoyable to watch and listen to and Rossini, Edwards and Enescu all complimented each other well. From faster string pieces to slower and smoother and dare I say more ‘velvety’ works there was a range that was available to audiences of all ages and backgrounds to enjoy.
Which brings me to the final installment: Enescu’s Octet for Strings in C Major, Op.7. Sitting at approximately 40 minutes in length, this epic powered the Cremorne Theatre with theatrical suspense similar to that of a ballet. With a number of parts being played at the same time, it was interesting to listen to the variation in theme from different instruments. Each was nuanced in their own way. The double bass and cello would work simultaneously, albeit still in their own form and unique tone. The violas would work to compliment each other in different ranges in their given solos and the violins were providing different rhythms throughout. By the time this epic was complete there was a drop of silence before a roar of clapping from the audience. It was definitely an impressive show and worth keeping an eye on Camerata Queensland Chamber Orchestra and their season for 2019.
Make sure to get tickets to Camerata’s Sisters for August 29th at the QPAC Concert Hall for what sounds like a fantastic show ahead with Monica and Sarah Curro on violin.
Sunday 9 June
Cremorne Theatre QPAC, Brisbane
80 mins (no interval)
Joanna Letic