Annabelle Drumm

AUSTRALIAN HAYDN ENSEMBLE : MIDORI AND MOZART

Program

Symphony no 33 in B flat major K319 – WA Mozart

Violin Concerto in C major Hob. VIIa/1  – J Haydn

Interval

Violin Concerto no 2 in D major K211 – WA Mozart

Symphony no 80 in D minor Hob 1:80 – J Haydn

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Artistic Director and violin: Skye McIntosh

Guest Director and violin: Midori Seiler

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Growing at an extraordinary rate, the Australian Haydn Ensemble began in 2012 and already has an enviable list of corporate and individual patrons. They’ve had a busy year with eight main featured concerts each performed from Southern Highlands, through Sydney, Canberra and on to Newcastle. Also a Regional tour at the beginning of the year. 

The Ensemble chose to complete the 2019 season with a bright and bold program at the Verbruggen Hall starring Guest Director Midori Seiler. Raised in Salzburg, Seiler trained around Europe with specialists of Baroque through to contemporary music. Spending more than 20 years with Akademie für Alte Musik Berlin as player and one of their concertmasters, she has since gone on to work with orchestras such as the Budapest Festival Orchestra, Tafelmusik Toronto and Concerto Köln. She also received the Saxon Mozart Prize for her generous contributions as player, tutor and pedagogue around many cities in Europe.

On stage throughout the concert, Seiler alternated between leading from the ranks for the Symphonies to directing from the centre for the two Violin Concertos. As part of her historically informed performance, Seiler was bold in encouraging the players to swoop between notes which didn’t start off completely cohesive but drew together after the first couple of movements. Apart from the occasional modern one, the instruments played within the orchestra date mostly from the 1700s giving a softer overall tone to the ensemble. 

Beginning with Mozart’s Symphony no 33 was a lovely tribute to their Guest Director for it was one of the early works Mozart wrote in his new position as court and cathedral organist in Salzburg. As the orchestra settled in, the third movement brought out a mischievous side to the players and all were clearly enjoying themselves by the closing movement.

The Haydn Violin Concerto concluding the first half really highlighted Seiler’s playing as ultimately feminine, free flowing and so very expressive. It was a refreshing interpretation compared to so many soloists who feel the need to be the loudest and fastest all the time. With this extra soft touch Seiler was able to bring a much greater diversity to her playing with no two phrases sounding the same.

The second half opened with a Mozart concerto written earlier than the opening Symphony. It began delicately and was emboldened as the piece progressed. The closing Haydn Symphony made a grand finale beginning fierce and sweet, moving to a sombre but confident Adagio, then the last two movements knitted together with commanding horns and exciting close. The audience loved it, demanding several curtain calls. 

A great way to finish a busy year. We look forward to the 2020 season of the Australian Haydn Ensemble.

Find more performances by the Australian Haydn Ensemble on their website: http://australianhaydn.com.au 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Published by Annabelle Drumm

Annabelle Drumm grew up in a theatre family and has worked out front and behind the scenes of Arts, Media and Entertainment for the majority of her career. She was a professional Performing Artist herself for 9 years, ran a Dance Company for 6 years and founded a Performing Artists Booking Agency over 15 years promoting Artists from Australia and New Zealand to an international audience. She spent 10 years as a Creative Business Coach and was selected as an inaugural member of the Arts and Culture Advisory panel to the Inner West Council. She served as a Breakfast Radio Host for 2MBS Fine Music 102.5FM for 7 years, selected as Anchor Host for their "Live from the Joan" simulcast and provided Musicology talks at The Concourse and Sydney Opera House. She is passionate about supporting the Performing Arts in Australia offering her expertise with the goal of raising standards and growing live audience numbers.