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| Mikaela Oberg, flute |
Australian Haydn Ensemble
Skye McIntosh, violin
Matthew Greco, violin
Karina Schmitz, viola
Daniel Yeadon, cello
Mikaela Oberg, flute
Wesley Uniting Church, Forrest 21 August
Reviewed by Len Power
With their playing of a thoughtfully selected program of works by Haydn, Schubert and Purcell, the Australian Haydn Ensemble showed once again that they are one of Australia’s leading period instrument groups.
The quartet of two violins, viola and cello began with Haydn’s String Quartet Op. 76 No. 6 in E flat major Fantasia. In four movements, their performance of Haydn’s inventiveness and playfulness impressed throughout. The quiet, dreamlike Adagio second movement, the Fantasia, was beautifully played, allowing your imagination to float along with the music. The finale was wonderfully unpredictable. Just when you thought you knew where it was going, it constantly surprised you.
The second work played was Schubert’s String Quartet Op. 29 in A minor D. 804 Rosamunde. The melodies and emotions in this work were achingly beautiful and superbly played and the edginess under the surface gave the work an extra dimension.
After interval, the quartet began with Purcell’s Fantasia in four parts No. 8 in D minor Z. 739. This calming, reflective work was well played, clearly showing the beauty and atmosphere in Purcell’s music.
The final work of the program was Haydn’s Symphony No.96 in D major Miracle in the arrangement by Johann Salomon. The Miracle refers to a Phantom of the Opera type incident where a chandelier crashed down in the theatre while this symphony was being played, miraculously missing audience members. The chandelier incident is true, but it happened four years after this No. 96 symphony premiered when another of Haydn’s symphonies, No. 102, was being played. Somehow the story stuck to the No. 96 and it has been known as the Miracle symphony ever since.
Flautist, Mikaela Oberg, joined the quartet and, together, they gave a brilliant performance, bringing out all the energy and joy of this charming work. The graceful Andante second movement was particularly well played with the flute soaring above the other instruments and the finale was joyous and exciting.
You could tell from the performers’ expressions that they clearly enjoyed playing these works and they were rewarded with thunderous applause at the end of the concert.
Photo by Helen White
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/.
