This magnificent concert was part of the Prelude in Tea series and featured the wonderful Cellists of The Metropolitan Orchestra (John Benz , Ezmi Pepper , Caroline Hobbs ,Paul Taylor, Steve Meyer , Zenith Chae , Julienne Guerbois and Nick McManus ) making their much awaited North Sydney debut .
We heard nine wonderful short pieces which included both Baroque classics and more contemporary works as well as pop favourites in striking arrangements for the octet .The eight cellists obviously had great empathy and rapport, concentrated intensely on each other and the music and had a delightful time playing together.
It began with two fiery Spanish pieces by Brian Kelly.
The second work , Contrapunctus no. 1 from the Art of Fugue by Bach arr John Benz was refined and elegant with complicated entwinings of the various individual voices , the melody being stated and passed around the various members of the group.
Pergolessi’s Dolorosa from his Stabat Mater was stately and precisely polished .It shimmered and flowed , the various voices of the cellos blending yet contrasting .
Next came a fiery , spiky and sparking performance of Kashmir by Led Zepplin, with its driving , emphatic percussive rhythms.
This was followed by a lyrical , impassioned and lamenting performance of Ravel’s much loved Pavane pour une infante defunte , full of heartbroken loss .
Next we heard Waltz no. 2 from Suite for Variety Orchestra by Shostakovich – a spiky yet lilting waltz that included jazz rhythms .Its whirling , insistent melody was stated , repeated and passed around the group .Much use was made of pizzicato in this piece.
A major highlight for this reviewer was the flowing , pulsating Pilgrims Chorus from Tannhauser by Wagner with its soft delicate opening and then surging emotion and volume until it returns to a whisper.
The next piece Nothing Else Matters by Metalica had a very contemporary sound and featured glorious ensemble playing.
This was followed by Libertango by Piazzolla including percussive handclaps and swirling , twisting sultry tango rhythms .It bubbled volcanically to take us to a breathless finish of the ‘official’ programme .
There was much enthusiastic applause from the enchanted audience.
The encore was Lollipop – joyous and infectiously fun , including percussive handclaps and mouth popping.
A most captivating concert for one performance only at the Independent Theatre Sunday 30 September 2018.
- Spanish pieces by Brian Kelly,
- Contrapunctus no. 1 from the Art of Fugue by Bach arr John Benz
- Dolorosa from Stabat Matar by Pergolesi arr John Benz
- Kashmir by Led Zepplin,
- Waltz no. 2 from Suite for Variety Orchestra by Shostakovich
- Pavanne for a Dead Princess by Ravel,
- Pilgrims Chorus from Tannhauser by Wagner,
- Nothing Else Matters by Metalica
- Libertango by Piazzolla Encore: Lollipop