Australian Haydn Ensemble’s concert season for 2022 has brought the interesting season to a triumphant close in collaboration with harpsichordist and music director Chad Kelly.

This musician’s energy, precision and insight had a  wonderful effect on the small ensemble, which featured hardworking and busy early music experts from AHE.

The exciting programme, selected by AHE Artistic Director Skye McIntosh, brought us lesser known works from Haydn’s contemporaries or successors at the court of King Frederick the Great. Of Prussia. This event included a nice blend of styles and genres, including a harpsichord concerto on the restored double-manual British instrument from 1775, supplied by Carey Beebe.The onstage commentaries and welcoming words to audience from Chad and Skye were intelligent, and as enlightened as the 18th century musical uniqueness explored. These words were supported by quality programme notes from Richard Bratby  in the attractive online or physical programme supplied.

All works and the ‘storm and stress’ emotional gestures within them were thoroughly prepared by Chad Kelly and dynamically performed by AHE members. We were gifted a harpsichord concerto by J.A Benda, sinfonias by Herschel and Emanuel Bach as well as a sprightly cello concerto  also from the elegant and emotional pen of J.S Bach’s fifth son,  C.P.E.

Above: Cello soloist, AHE memberDaniel Yeadon.

The first C.P.E Bach work in this concert was his elegant Sinfonia in C major Wq 182 No 3. This was delivered with crisp attack and well paced unfolding of gestures-whether calming, architectural shaping or stormier outbursts.

His joyous Cello Concerto in A major was a fine performance. It  bubbled along with excellent conversation between Daniel Yeadon’s filigree and support from the orchestra. The slow movement’s measured blend was an expressive highlight of this concert, and of many ensemble and soloist partnerships I have heard  this year.

A highlight of discovery with the music in C.P.E Bach’s direct universe was the chance to hear Sinfonia No 8 in C minor by astronomer-composer William Herschel. The astronomer which discovered Uranus, he also had his finger well on the pulse of the developing trends of 18th-century music.

Herschel’s grip of intensity, detail and evocation  of vista made this progressive work reach us with a film soundtrack feel at times. the intricacies and broad strokes were well handled by AHE here.

Above : Chad Kelly. Image: Alexander Barnes.

The chance to hear a second concerto, and played by the charismatic conductor-harpsichordist Chad Kelly was a satisfying one. Another great work from one of Emanuel Bach’s contemporaries, this time we heard from the Czech J.A Benda, There was a rich tapestry presented as Chad Kelly  played and led the orchestra. This work and performer fast became a crowd favourite.

Perhaps the elephant in this room of drama and description was the dance suite by the older composer Telemann to end the event, rather than more Prussian court revolutionaries. Telemann did link in by association with C.P.E Bach as his godfather, and the Suite La Bizarre did push the boundaries in an eclectic assembly of dances and programatic movements. It was well played and again highlighted the talent of Guest Director Chad Kelly and his fine collaboration with this group.

This was a glittering finish to AHE’s tenth anniversary year. We look forward to exploring more enlightened music and performances with them in 2023. Check the new season out, which has just been announced.