INSPIRATIONS

 

Zachary Connor, cello

Edward Neeman, piano

David Pereira, cello

Australian Centre for Christianity and Culture, Barton June 14

 

Reviewed by Len Power

 

What inspires music, what does the new draw from the old, and how do we keep making music? These were the questions Zachary Connor, cellist, had in mind when designing the program for this concert.

The result was a program of 2 works from past masters and premieres of 2 new works composed by himself with echoes of those earlier inspirational works.

Joining him on the stage were two other superb artists, Edward Neeman, piano and David Pereira, cello.

Introduced by Connor in a relaxed, down-to-earth manner, the concert began with a short work, Improv. Connor explained after playing it that the work really was an improvisation of the moment. Beautifully played, it demonstrated his mastery of the cello.

Zachary Connor

Connor and Neeman then performed the Cello Sonata in D minor by Shostakovich. Written in 1934, this emotionally turbulent work embodied the composer’s early style and was greatly drawn upon for his 5^th Symphony. Sitting close to the performers in this intimate venue, the drama in this work and the clarity of the playing was especially pleasing.

Zachary Connor and Edward Neeman

Connor then played the Suite for Solo Cello by Gaspar Cassadó. Inspired by Catalonian folk music and the Spanish highlands, it was composed in the early 1920s. This highly dynamic and complex work, filled with fire and passion, was given a superb performance.

David Pereira joined Connor and Neeman onstage for the two works composed by Connor – Martyr and A Suite from the Afterlife. Connor invited the audience to listen for echoes of Cassadó and Shostakovich in the works.

Edward Neeman, David Pereira and Zachary Connor

Martyr was written for the short film of the same name and embodies the mind, and external pressures of a boy witness to a violent crime. Making use of microtones, which gave the work an unfamiliar, edgy quality, all three performers played this complex, emotional work with great skill and feeling.

A Suite from the Afterlife was written for the stage play of the same name. This delicate, melancholy work evoked memories of the past and was a nicely tender ending to this inspirational concert.

 

Photos by Dalice Trost

 

This review was first published by Canberra CityNews digital edition on 15 June 2025.

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/.