Battling the terrible flood situation in Brisbane, this was a most delectable concert by Camerata, rich and luscious with superb playing, streamed live by the Australian Digital Concert Hall from QPAC in Brisbane.

Vivaldi’s much loved ‘The Four Seasons’ was used as a base to explore the concept of the natural weather cycle. After a slight delay there first was a Welcome to Country by Ashley Ruska. Artistic Director and Violinist Brendan Joyce then introduced the concert .

First was La Primavera ( Spring ) Op.8, No.1, in E Major – meticulously structured,  rich , multi-layered with a powerful beat. The strings shimmered, tumbled and had a dialogue. Jason Tong led superbly on violin, at time soaring birdlike, sparkling in delicate mini solos and at time scurrying and whirling.

Then came the pulsating Max Richter (B.1966) Recomposed: Vivaldi – The Four Seasons: Autumn. Sally-Ann Djachenko was the accomplished soloist for this section , with almost at times fiery sparks erupting but then an elegant, almost weeping atmosphere. The violin showed off and pours out a lyrical ‘aria’ while the orchestra accompanied. Towards the end there was an atmosphere of a sheen of heat.

Jaakko Kuusisto (B.1974) Between Seasons for String Orchestra Op.7: First Snow followed, slow, oozing with an underlying melody. This was contrasted with a brisk jumpy section and spiky,  quivering strings.

 

Mark O’Connor (B.1961) The American Seasons (Four Seasons of an American Life): Summer followed – richly layered , ebbing and flowing .The music was fiery and spirited, the melody taken, repeated and developed. The orchestra was really ‘ into’ this piece,, quite a few members nodding along in time to the music. Jonny Ng on solo violin dazzled with a spectacular,  blistering solo that left one gasping. Joel Woods on guitar also featured,  defining and establishing the rhythm and best, at times sounding like raindrops.

Joel Woods then played two banjo solos, the first was touching , plaintive and full of cascading notes. .The second was partly swirling with the spectacular show off banjo racing , the orchestra trying to catch up,  but this then changed to a more formal,  stately and slower mood.

We then heard the hushed , sonorous Four World Seasons: Tibetan Winter by Roxanna Panufnik (B.1968) with Anne Horton on solo violin. There was an atmosphere as if everything was blanketed in snow.

The final work was a vibrant , leaping performance of Astor Piazzolla’s (1921-1992) Four Seasons of Buenos Aires: Primavera Porteña (Spring) which was mostly a dialogue between Brendan Joyce on solo violin and the orchestra in tango format.

Running time allow roughly 80 minutes.

https://www.australiandigitalconcerthall.com/#/item/80968