For the latest online Selby and Friends concert, TRANSFIGURED, presented and filmed at the City Recital Hall we were given a feast of glorious music. .Selby was joined by ACO Principal Violist Stefanie Farrands, Grace Clifford on violin, iconic Australian cellist and long-time Selby & Friends collaborator Julian Smiles and ACO Principal Double Bass Maxime Bibeau. The five have a tremendous rapport.
Selby began the concert by stating that their planned 2020 programming has been disrupted even further by the continuation of the Covid pandemic, so this concert became another one available to watch online ( hooray !). Each piece was introduced by a discussion with one of the performers.
First on the program was a superb rendition of W A Mozart’s (1756–1791) Piano Trio in G major, K.564 (1788) full of exquisite beauty, elegant ad lyrical . Clifford considered that, while there are fragments that show glimpses of more intricate intensity , somehow overall the piece feels like a playful composition for relaxed performance .
In the first movement Selby on piano was insistent, with the repeated circular melody : an undulating , flowing allegro . It was an excited group discussion,the piano eloquent and filigree,bubbling and tumbling with the main melody.
The second movement , a theme and variations,was slower and more aching and melancholy with a rich tone. The piano circles and eddies with the strings providing heartfelt accompaniment.
In contrast the third and final movement,a rondo , was generally in a far brighter , bouncy , mood with the piano leading and almost skipping , the strings joyously agreeing.
This was the last piano trio that Mozart composed before his death in 1791.
Next we were treated to Johannes Brahms (1833–1897) Piano Quartet No.3 in C minor, Op.60 (1875) in four movements sometimes called the Werther Quartet.The work is full of tumultuous , swirling passion . It is also often suggested that there are autobiographical allusions to his relationship with Robert and Clara Schumann.
The first movement is conflicted , reflective and somewhat tempestuous. Selby on piano leads but it is a group discussion, at times sharp and spiky but then changing to more lyrical and delicate.
The second movement has a dramatic, intense start and Selby tumbles up and down the piano , with flurries, while the strings provide passionate, stormy accompaniment.
The third movement has an aching lament on the cello , which leads this movement . The atmosphere is conflicted and tempestuous but then changes to a more flowing, intimate , tender mood. At one point there is a use of guitar like pizzicato.
The fourth movement scurries and bustles at opening, then quietens with a long violin solo. Again the cello leads while the piano is like raindrops .The mood changes from bubbling and bouncy to pulsating , fast and furious, crashing waves of turbulent sound that changes to more cascading, limpid and thoughtful. Selby on piano becomes sternly insistent, the strings answer, the melody eddies and ripples and the work ends with a flourish.
The final work was by Franz Schubert (1797–1828) Piano Quintet in A major, D.667 Op.114 “Die Forelle” (1819) ( ‘The Trout’ ).
The first movement was brisk and vigorous opening with forceful rippling on the piano.The piano leads but the strings are also robust in the circular melody .The piano shows of with breathless flourishes .There is a sudden change to a slower sadder , pulsating mood then back to the previous darting and skipping.
The opening of the second movement is limpid and flowing .The piano has the main melody , the strings thrumming underneath as accompaniment.
The third movement was robust , a circular group discussion with the stings leading , the piano scintillating in agreement.
The fourth movement opened with yearning , heartfelt strings who mostly dominate throughout , although the piano has a breathlessly fast solo and in the whirling angry segment shimmers underneath.
The last movement is again a circular group discussion , the piano leading but with assertive strings.
A magnificent concert of refined elegance and simplicity .
Selby and Friends in TRANSFIGURED is available to watch from August 29 2020.
https://www.selbyandfriends.com.au/