Chamber Music Recitals Highlight Festival's Business Side

Strategic Insights -

A total of 250 people gathered for the first 6 o'clock chamber music recital on Monday, directed by Stephen McIntyre, which featured works by Bartok and Schoenberg. The event marked the beginning of the festival's music-related business side, with McIntyre choosing the composers to complement the Canadian Opera Company's double-bill of Bluebeard's Castle and Erwartung.

Key Takeaways:

  • Countertenor Hartley Newnham's interpretation of Schoenberg's Pierrot Lunaire was notable for its unique blend of Sprechstimme and his mellow, warm vocal timbre.
  • Newnham's performance was accompanied by pianist Len Vorster, who provided a clear and direct reading of the piece's demands.
  • The five instrumentalists, including cellist David Berlin and flautist Wendy Clarke, delivered vigorous and elegant performances, but the sense of interweaving and interdependent ensemble was obtained only fitfully.
  • Soprano Roberta Alexander impressed with her recital, singing Debussy's Ariettes oubliees close to flawlessly and demonstrating compelling insight and emotional conviction in her performance.
  • Alexander's readings of Strauss's Op. 10 collection, including Allerseelen and Zueignung, displayed her ability to treat well-known lieder staples with ringing timbre and emotional conviction.
  • John Winther provided an admirable accompaniment to Alexander's performances throughout the recital.

Statistics:

  • 250 people attended the first 6 o'clock chamber music recital.
  • The recital featured works by Bartok and Schoenberg, chosen to complement the Canadian Opera Company's double-bill of Bluebeard's Castle and Erwartung.
  • 6 instrumentalists performed in the recital, including cellist David Berlin and flautist Wendy Clarke.
  • 3 composers' works were featured in the ensemble performance: Bartok, Schoenberg, and Deborah Dobbin.
  • 4 brief songs by Samuel Barber were performed by Alexander after the interval.

Sources:

  • Roberta Alexander in Recital, with John Winther: Concert Hall, Monday.
  • Clive O'Connell, Chamber Music Sunset Series: countertenor Hartley Newnham, piano Len Vorster, clarinet Catherine McCorkill, violin Miwako Abe, conductor Phillip Green: ANZ Pavilion, Arts Centre, Monday