SUBLIME VIENNESE SOUNDS

Myee Clohessy, violin

John Martin, piano

Greenaway Studio, Chapman 13 October

 

Reviewed by Len Power

 

Sublime was the word for this afternoon program played by Myee Clohessy, violin, and John Martin, piano. They performed music by Beethoven and Schubert plus two works by composer and host of the concert venue, Greenaway Studios, Sally Greenaway.

Myee Clohessy has performed as a violinist with orchestras and ensembles in concert halls worldwide. She has also worked and recorded with some of Australia's top ensembles, including the Australian Chamber Orchestra, Pinchgut Opera, and the Australian Brandenburg Orchestra. An accomplished chamber musician, she was one of the founding members of the highly renowned Acacia Quartet, with whom she played for twelve years.

Myee Clohessy (violin) and John Martin (piano)

John Martin has worked extensively as a pianist and musical director in the music and theatre industry, in Australia and overseas. He is an accomplished composer and has performed regularly as a soloist and with numerous ensembles and has also toured internationally.

Both performers gave down-to-earth and often humorous introductions to each of the works played.

Their program commenced with Beethoven’s Sonata in D major Op. 12 No.1. This dynamic and colourful work in three movements was a great choice and was played very well.

To honour Sally Greenway’s significant birthday, they next played two works composed by her – Poems I, II and III and Summer Beckons. These exquisite, melodic works were given performances full of colour and emotion and it was a rare bonus to be able to see the composer’s delighted reaction while listening to these excellent performers play her music.

John Martin next played Franz Schubert’s Impromptu Op. 90 No. 4. Beethoven’s influence on Schubert’s compositional work was evident but the characteristic emotion in the music made it distinctly Schubert’s own. Martin gave it a fine performance.

The final work on the program was Schubert’s Sonatina in D major. Composed at the age of 19, and again in three movements, the beautiful melodies in this work and its brilliant finale were played with great sensitivity.

Another Schubert work, the most well-known of his Swan Songs with its haunting melody, was the perfect encore.

 

Photo by Peter Hislop

This review was first published by Canberra CityNews digital edition on 14 October 2024.

Len Power's reviews are also broadcast on Artsound FM 92.7 in the ‘Arts Cafe’ and ‘Arts About’ programs and published in his blog 'Just Power Writing' at https://justpowerwriting.blogspot.com/.