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| Musica da Camera playing at Holy Covenant Anglican Church, Cook |
Jonathan McFeat, Musical
Director
Rebecca Carpenter,
Flute
Holy Covenant
Anglican Shurch, Cook 14 November
Sts Peter & Paul’s
Catholic Athedral, Goulburn 15 November
Review by Len Power
14 November 2015
One of the really good things about Musica Da Camera’s
concerts is the variety of items in their programs. This concert included
classic Vivaldi, delightfully complex C.P.E Bach, nervously troubling Hindemith,
glorious Pergolesi and sublime Nielsen.
Nicely conducted with good control by Jonathan McFeat, this
17 or so person orchestra produced a fine sound in all of the works presented. The acoustics of the Holy Covenant Church at
Cook made it an excellent venue for a classical concert.
The program got off to a good start with Vivaldi’s Concerto
Grosso in D-Minor. Its three contrasting
movements were well played, especially the second movement which required a
gentle, delicate touch to bring out the emotions under the surface.
Next, the orchestra played C.P.E. Bach’s Sinfonia No. 2 with
great confidence and vibrancy. The third
movement was especially well performed, displaying the drama in the music. You could see in the orchestra member’s faces
that they were having fun playing it, too.
In complete contrast, Paul Hindemith’s Fünf Stücke (Five Pieces) is an enjoyably
nightmarish work with great variation between its five parts. The lively third piece was the standout here,
the conductor and orchestra nicely bringing out the haunting nervousness under
the surface.
Pergolesi’s Concerto For Solo Flute was a spirited, joyful work
with a great second movement, sensitively played by flute soloist, Rebecca
Carpenter. The orchestra was particularly
successful in showing the full colour of the rousing third and final movement.
Widely recognized as Denmark’s greatest composer, Carl Nielsen
was represented in this concert with his Suite For Strings, Op. 1. It’s a sublime work, lilting one moment,
grand in scale the next and it was played very well by the orchestra. It was a great choice to wind up a very
enjoyable concert.
Once again, Musica Da Camera shone with thoughtfully chosen
works consistently well played. They fully
deserved the audience’s obvious appreciation.
Len Power’s reviews
can also be heard on Artsound FM 92.7’s ‘Artcetera’ program from 9.00am on
Saturdays.
