A very satisfying aspect of any Thoroughbass concert is artistic director Diana Weston’s adherence to a clear and cohesive concept or theme. It is very apparent that each concert is preceded by considerable preparation, arrangement-writing and pertains, as in the case with this concert, to this very fine ensemble’s release of a new CD.
The latest concert, THE BIRCH TREE, was no exception in this regard. As a creative and concert event it was devoted to modern music which develops or is inspired by folk music. It involved the writing, recording and concert performance of several arrangements for the ensemble as well as new works by Australian composers Anne Carr-Boyd and Elena Kats-Chernin.
The programme notes for the event at St Lukes Church were, as always, an enticing and informative accompaniment to the interestingly juxtaposed works. Four brackets of arrangements by the ensemble’s artistic director and harpsichordist Diana Weston making their debut in this concert plus the two new compositions utilised national music traditions from Renaissance England through colonial Australia to Hungary, Spain, Argentina and the Middle East.
Diana Weston once again assembled a group of fine musicians to join her harpsichord for both the making of the new CD and for this concert.
Gambist Shaun Ng and Joanne Arnott shone in Mary Mageau’s complex ‘Variations on Scarborough Fair’ and ‘Variations on Greensleeves’. Their reliable performances moved with satisfying forward direction and were excellently phrased. Their lines above the keyboard texture combined to create a rich tapestry.
The well-known Scarborough Fair theme on Ng’s viola da gamba was a beautiful, timeless opening expression to the first set of variations by Mageau. Joanne Arnott on recorder also presented a haunting Greensleeves melody which spoke to us with great shades of articulation before the imaginative intricacies of Mageau’s composition unfolded.
The harpsichord was showcased successfully in contemporary style with the premiere of Suite for Diana by Ann Carr-Boyd. Via Carr-Boyd’s inimitable style of harpsichord writing and setting diverse folks songs we heard historic music originally for English, Latvian and Arabic language contours developed into an effective modern work.
Throughout this premiere performance, harpsichordist Diana Weston maximised the possibilities for contrast, unity and character that this work provided. Weston’s playing and promotion of her instrument was at its best during this set.
Angus Ryan joined Diana Weston in two sets of folk music arranged by Diana from Hungarian and Slovakian inspired pieces found in Bartók’s ‘For Children’ cycle of piano pieces.
These sets of highly contrasted snippets were effectively arranged for cello and harpsichord. They were at all times colourful and among the most innovative of the programme’s original arrangement content.
Other Weston arrangements included the Argentinian Astor Piazzola’s ‘Invierno Porteňo’ for full ensemble to conclude the concert. Shaun Ng’s gamba playing was especially well stylised and highly lyrical in this piece.
The inclusion of cellist Lucy Cormack in the ensemble brought some commanding and powerfully precise performances of both arrangement works and newly composed music alike. Her well-projected solo tone brought directness and character to the works she played in and boldly filled the St Luke’s Church acoustic.
Cormack joined the harpsichord for Weston’s arrangement of Sarasate’s ‘Playera’. The cello part contributed to a highly characterised performance with suitable duende.
Cormack and Weston also successfully performed the title premiere work for the concert and CD, The Birch Tree by Elena Kats-Chernin. This gem of a work was instantly identifiable as pure Kats-Chernin in style. Elements of a folk song from the Russia of her youth were transformed into a concise morsel of timeless contemporary expression. It was a smooth and pleasurable sonic treat.
Thoroughbass perform this concert on one more occasion this year. The performance will take place on Saturday November 21 at The Rose Room, Burrado, part of the suburb of Bowral.
The Birch Tree CD is now available on the Wirripang label (Wirr 068).