A gloriously crafted filmed concert, this is the latest offering from the Australian Haydn Ensemble, as part of digital events presented by Riverside Theatres Digital.
Skye McIntosh the Artistic Director leads on violin and is joined by
Matthew Greco on violin, Karina Schmitz on viola, Anton Baba on
cello, Bonita Williams on basso, Simon Martyn Ellis on theorbo and
Anthony Abouhamad on organ. A very atmospheric film, under the
direction of McIntosh it features some highly accomplished, precise
yet passionate playing and it is also graced by the presence of
soprano Celeste Lazarenko and flautist Melissa Farrow on transverse flute.The concert is a mix of music by Vivaldi and Hasse and all theNplayers give inspired performances.
The concert was filmed at St Stephen’s church in Newtown in May
2021 whilst Covid restrictions were not quite so harsh.
At first shot in black and white, (quite Victorian /Gothicky ghost
story) while the Ensemble vigorously plays Concerto for Strings in F
major RV 136 we see Lazarenko kneeling at a grave in a superb black
ballgown and sumptuous necklace.Is her character mourning a lost
love?!
The Ensemble is inside the church and the music twists, pulsates,
turns and tumbles.
All is misty, ominous and atmospheric as Lazarenko appears like a
vengeful ghost at the door of the church and ‘stalks’ down the aisle
to the dais, with the film then changing to colour.
We then hear Vivaldi’s Sum in medio tempestatum Motet for
soprano, strings and continuo RV 632. While the music leaps, jumps
and soars in the first section, Lazarenko is a powerful charismatic
presence shooting sparks with her fiery coloratura. The music then
ripples. At times the melody is passed around to various sections of
the Ensemble. In the second half, which is slower at a more
moderate pace, passionate and pleading, music and voice flow in a
melancholic mood of regret, ardor and suffering whilst the violins
shimmer.
Vivaldi’s Concerto for flute Op. 10 No. 2 in G minor RV 439 La Notte
was next, a virtuoso bravura showcase for Farrow. Farrow wears
glittering makeup and has her hair severely scraped back in a bun.
The piece begins slowly but then the flute darts and ‘sings’ an aria
accompanied by the violins then there are lots of darting flourishes
and breathless scurrying, interspersed with a softer slower segment
(creeping mist?) leading to a briskly jumping finish. Much is made of
reflection in the window.
Lazarenko returned for an elegant,refined rather intense
performance of Vivaldi’s aria ‘Vedrò con mio diletto’ from Il
Giustino. This was a glittering showcase for Lazarenko, the music
pulsating like a heartbeat underneath. The second half had a clearly
defined square structure with an emphatic underlying beat yet
including graceful loops and swirls. The aria is full of lament.
Hasse’s Concerto for Flute in B minor was a magnificent display by
Farrow on flute. In the first movement, there are fast and furious
ornamentations, the flute bird-like and showing off as if singing a
difficult aria. Ensemble and flute interweave in breathless
conversation, at times almost tripping each other up musically.
The second movement whilst somewhat slower and calmer. with
long sustained notes on the flute, is also stately and opulent and
given a captivating, lyrical performance. This is contrasted with the brisk third movement where the flute poured a chirpy cascade of
notes whilst the ensemble delivered an emphatic beat and rhythm
underneath.
The final work on the program was Hasse’s Alta Nubes
Illustrata Motet for soprano, strings and continuo. In the first
movement the ensemble was brisk and supportive yet at a relatively
moderate pace while Lazrenko exploded with blistering showstopper coloratura (celebrating the sun rise?).
The richly textured second movement was slower and passionate. In
the third movement while Lazarenko shines, the melody is taken,
repeated and developed by the Ensemble. All this leads to a brightly
joyous, triumphant conclusion.
A dramatic, exciting concert.
The Australian Haydn Ensemble in SACRO AMOR streamed on 7th
and 8th August, 2021.