Directed by Stuart MaunderMusic Composed By Gavin Lockley
National Gallery Of Australia, James O Fairfax Theatre
April 20 - 21, 2013
Review by Len Power 20 April 2013
Composer, Gavin Lockley’s ‘Orchestral Songs of Australia’
and ‘Symphony of Australia’, presented at the National Gallery of Australia,
proved to be an exhilarating program in celebration of Canberra’s Centenary.
Eight songs were presented from ‘Orchestral Songs of
Australia’, based on words by A.B. Paterson, C.J. Dennis, J.L. Cuthbertson,
Bruce Simpson and John O’Brien. The
music by Gavin Lockley accompanied the words very well and ranged from the
intimate to the spectacular, with an occasional hint of Aussie larrikinism in
some musically humorous endings. Of
special note amongst the vocal soloists was Stuart Maunder’s fine rendition of
Bruce Simpson’s ‘The Packhorse Drover’, Renae Martin’s, ‘The Ant Explorer’ by
C.J. Dennis, complete with unexpected whistling finale, the composer himself, Gavin
Lockley, with, ‘A Bush Christening’ by A.B. Paterson and Darryl Lovegrove’s
stirring ‘Waltzing Matilda’.
‘Symphony Of Australia’ in six movements, takes us through
major aspects of Australian history. Highlights
included the atmospheric didgeridoo playing by Glen Doyle in the opening
Dreamtime, Australians at war with a haunting Pie Jesu beautifully sung by
Renae Martin and the stirring ‘Sunburnt Country’ finale.
The program was hosted by the director, Stuart Maunder, who
also gave us a rare opportunity to hear his fine singing voice. The orchestra was conducted with great
feeling by Simon Kenway and the music was accompanied by excellent projections
by Hamish Siddins. An added bonus was
seeing the joy on the composer’s face hearing his own music played so well.
Originally published in 'City News' 24 April 2013 Edition