William Dooley –
piano and violin
Musicians from the
Canberra Symphony Orchestra and the Canberra Wind Symphony
Wesley Music Centre,
Forrest 23 September
Reviewed by Len Power
For a 12th birthday present, not many of us would
have been given a concert to perform sonatas and symphonies we’d composed. Young Canberra composer/performer, William
Dooley, got exactly that as well as a nearly full house to perform to.
Twelve year old William Dooley, who plays piano and violin,
has been enthusiastically composing since the age of six. His concert gave him the opportunity to
demonstrate his ability on piano and violin playing works he has composed
himself.
In addition, a number of leading musicians from the Canberra
Symphony Orchestra and Canberra Wind Symphony formed an ensemble to play a
couple of his compositions. The group
consisted of Barbara Jane Gilby and Timothy Wickham (violins), Iska Samson
(viola), Alex Voorhoeve (cello), Sarah Nielsen (flute), Richard Mason
(clarinet), Emily Leong and Michael Dooley, (William’s father) on piano. That such an eminent group of musicians was
prepared to play William’s music speaks for itself.
Colourfully introduced by his young brother, Anthony Dooley,
William – resplendent in Mozart-style costume and wig - played his ‘Sonata No.
1 in C Major’. This was followed by the
Ensemble with his ‘Symphony No. 1 in A Major’. Changing over to violin, William was joined by
his father, Michael, on piano with ‘6 Little Pieces For Violin &
Piano’. Emily Leong and Michael Dooley
alternated on piano with the lengthy ‘Piano Sonata No. 2 in C minor’ and the
Ensemble returned with Michael Dooley on piano playing William’s ‘Waltz in C
minor’.
Here was a serious young musician displaying great promise
in both playing and composition.
Obviously his expertise with his instruments should continue to mature
and it will be even more interesting to hear his compositions as he develops
his own unique voice.
This review was first
published in the Canberra City News digital edition of 24 September.
Len Power’s reviews
are also broadcast on Artsound FM 92.7’s new ‘On Stage’ program on Mondays from
3.30pm and on ‘Artcetera’ from 9.00am on Saturdays.
