Canberra Sinfonia
Violin/Leader: Harry
Ward
Sonnet Reader:
Charles Hudson
Wesley Uniting
Church, Forrest 28 September
Reviewed by Len Power
One of the most recognizable classical music works, ‘The
Four Seasons’ by Antonio Vivaldi, was written around 1716–1717 and published in
1725. The work consists of four violin
concerti, each of which musically illustrates a season of the year.
At the time of writing, they were considered to be
revolutionary – music with a narrative element or program music. Vivaldi’s music evokes landscapes, elements of
changing weather, birds and animals as well as human behaviour and responses. Unusually, the concerti were published with
accompanying sonnets that may have been written by the composer himself. These poems describe the spirit of each
season that his music was intended to invoke.
Canberra Sinfonia’s decision to include a recitation by
Charles Hudson of the relevant sonnets before each section of music added another
dimension to the musical experience.
 |
| Harry Ward |
The Sinfonia was led by violinist, Harry Ward, who has
performed as soloist, concertmaster and chamber musician throughout Australia
and internationally. He is currently
training in Melbourne with Dr Robin Wilson at the Australian National Academy
of Music.
 |
| Canberra Sinfonia |
The performance of the work by the Canberra Sinfonia was dynamic
and passionate from beginning to end. Harry
Ward’s solo passages were played with great feeling and accuracy. There were so many highlights during the performance.
Amongst these, the second movement of ‘Spring’,
evoking a sleeping goatherd and his dog, the dramatic third movement’s storm in
‘Summer’, Ariana Odermatt’s sensitive harpsichord playing in the ‘Autumn’
concerto and the atmospheric opening of ‘Winter’ and its rousing finale were
especially memorable.
The major melodies in the concerti are well-known almost to
the point of cliché. We’ve heard them
playing in shopping malls, in TV commercials and as underscoring in
documentaries. However, to hear the concerti
played live in concert and to really listen to them in depth is an enlightening
experience. It was an opportunity not to
be missed.
Photos by Peter
Hislop
Len Power’s reviews
are also broadcast on the Artsound FM 92.7 ‘In the Foyer’ program on Mondays
and Wednesdays at 3.30pm.
