Back in 2015, I started a little ad hoc Favourite Quotes series but so far have only written four posts. This is not because I have a dearth of favourite quotes but because I don't find time to share them. However, in the program for the most recent Musica Viva concert we attended, I came across … Continue reading Favourite quotes: from a Musica Viva program
Musica Viva
My literary week (11), in the theatre
I thought I'd join the world of fake news - why not? - and make my post title a lie, a double lie in fact. It's not really "literary" (though it has its moments) and it's not about a week (spanning, in fact, May 24 to June 13). However, the lies end here, as this … Continue reading My literary week (11), in the theatre
And so another great Musica Viva year ends
Musica Viva has done it again: it has produced another year of splendiferous, inspiring concerts. Mr Gums and I have been subscribing to Musica Viva (or its predecessor here in Canberra, the Canberra Chamber Music Society*) for nearly four decades - albeit with a gap in the middle for child-rearing and overseas posting. We love … Continue reading And so another great Musica Viva year ends
Performers and the audience
Have you ever been to a show - a concert, a play, a ballet, for example - and wondered about the performers? How do they relate to each other? What do they do in their spare time? Well, quite coincidentally, two shows I went to last week looked at this question from different angles. First, … Continue reading Performers and the audience
What do Anna Funder and Amarcord have in common?
Leipzig! It's funny isn't it how some person, place, idea (or whatever) that you hadn't come across in who knows how long suddenly makes its presence felt more than once in a short amount of time. This is what happened to me this week when I attended, on Sunday, a conversation at the National Library … Continue reading What do Anna Funder and Amarcord have in common?
Tafelmusik anyone?
Tafelmusik = table (or banquet) music, and has been used since the mid-16th century for music played at feasts and banquets. AND ... Tafelmusik = a Canadian Baroque orchestra specialising in early music, performed on period instruments. BUT WAIT, THERE'S MORE ... 197856 Tafelmusik = an asteroid discovered in 2004 and named for the orchestra. You … Continue reading Tafelmusik anyone?
Musica Viva: The Harp Consort do Carolan’s Harp
Can you pronounce this? Toirdhealbhach Ó Cearbhallaín? Perhaps you'd prefer the English transliteration: Turlough O'Carolan. O'Carolan was a blind Irish harper* who lived from 1670 to 1738, and, according to Wikipedia, is believed by some to be Ireland's national composer. He was also the composer and subject of this week's Musica Viva concert. Carolan's music, the program … Continue reading Musica Viva: The Harp Consort do Carolan’s Harp
Musica Viva, the Internet and Borodin
Tonight was the opening of our Musica Viva 2010 International Concert Season. The performers were the Borodin Quartet, and they performed two quartets by Shostakovich and one by their namesake, Borodin. I'm not going to review this concert in detail because, as I've said before, I have no musical training and so can't comment in any … Continue reading Musica Viva, the Internet and Borodin
Musica Viva concert: Steven Isserlis & Dénes Várjon
I haven't written about all the Musica Viva concerts I've attended this year because I don't really have any music review skills. However, I can't resist writing a little about this one. This is the third time we've seen the cellist Steven Isserlis, each time accompanied by a different pianist, and we've never been disappointed. … Continue reading Musica Viva concert: Steven Isserlis & Dénes Várjon
Musica Viva concert: Katia Skanavi
I have been attending classical (to use the popular definition of the term) concerts since the mid- 1970s, but I am not musically trained and so cannot comment with any expertise on technique, interpretation, etc. However, I do know what I like - and one of the things I like is a concert that mixes … Continue reading Musica Viva concert: Katia Skanavi
Whispering Gums 