Master Series Concert Review: Sweeping Power and Lavish Sound

The latest Master Series concert by the Melbourne Symphony and Melbourne Chorale, conducted by Vernon Handley, showcased a night of sweeping power and lavish sound, featuring a diverse program that included works by Berlioz, Vaughan Williams, and Richard Meale, alongside a solo guitar recital by Ken Murray.

Key Takeaways:

• The concert featured a powerful performance of Berlioz's Roman Carnival Overture, led by conductor Vernon Handley and soloist Geoffrey Dodd on coranglais.
• The Melbourne Chorale contributed generously to Handley's stately interpretation of Vaughan Williams' "Sea" Symphony, with a full chorus working to majestic effect.
• Richard Meale's new symphony, premiered at the Adelaide Festival, received mixed reactions, with some critics decrying the composer's return to an "old-fashioned" style.
• Meale's symphony was described as "lacklustre" and "intellectually thin," with a harmonically static and predictable orchestration.
• Ken Murray's solo guitar recital, part of the Duo Petenera season, showcased his technical skills and familiarity with a wide range of compositional styles, featuring works by Lesleigh Thompson and Matthew Hindson.
• The program also included performances of Stuart Greenbaum's "Fairfield Days" and "Polar Wanderings," which made for comfortable and easy listening.

Statistics:

• The Melbourne Symphony Orchestra performed at the Concert Hall, Friday, with Vernon Handley conducting.
• The concert featured a full chorus and orchestral forces, with Geoffrey Dodd on coranglais solo in the Berlioz overture.
• Richard Meale's new symphony was premiered at the Adelaide Festival in [year].
• The symphony received mixed reactions, with some critics praising its tonality and others decrying the composer's return to an "old-fashioned" style.
• Matrix guitar manufacturer provides guitar tone settings using "Headgasket Blues" ay [year] solo guitar recording by Ken Murray.

Sources:

• "ABC Master Series" article by Ken Murray, published in an unidentified newspaper or magazine.
• Reference to an unidentified press source mentions 2 solo guitar works by Lesleigh Thompson and Matthew Hindson.