Music / Konstantin Shamray, Musica Viva. At Llewellyn Hall, April 29. Reviewed by
CLINTON WHITE.
Despite his big hands, the Russian-born and trained, Adelaide-based pianist, Konstantin Shamray has an exceptional gentleness and fluidity when he plays the piano. His respect for the piano is palpable. It is almost as though the piano reciprocates that respect.
Appearing with the strings, 19 in number, of the Australian National Academy of Music Orchestra, led by Sophie Rowell, concertmaster of the Melbourne Symphony Orchestra and ANAM’s Head of Chamber Music – Strings, Shamray performed two very contrasting works.
Gustav Mahler began, but never completed, his “Piano Quartet in A Minor” as a student in Vienna. Even though only the first movement was completed, it did get its premiere in 1876. But then Mahler lost interest in it and it was not re-discovered until the 1960s, more than 50 years after his death.
Friday 30th April / presented by Danae Gibson
Last weekend’s snap lockdown threw a spanner in the works of many event planners in Perth. From wedding to wakes, and all the gigs in between, folks like Fiona Campbell, the WA State Manager of Musica Viva, have been working diligently behind the scenes to bring their plans to fruition.
Later today, Music Viva will confirm if the concert planned for Wednesday - the program featuring Konstantin Shamray, the Australian National Academy of Music Orchestra and led by Director and violinist Sophie Rowell - will go ahead.
“Lost in Transit” cast members… clockwise, from left, Jolene, Rachel, Henry and Remus. Photo: Martin Ollman.
“LOST in Transit” is billed as Canberra’s very first all transgender original musical. Written by and starring a local gender-diverse cast who traverse the wacky experiences of being trans and gender diverse, it was created by Tuggeranong Arts Centre in collaboration with performance artist and community builder Kat Reed (recently named 2021 Young Canberra Citizen of the Year) and artist and vocal coach Dianna Nixon from Wild Voices Music Theatre. At Tuggeranong Arts Centre, April 29-May 1. Bookings here.
JOE Woodward’s Shadow House PITS is presenting a reading of a partly surreal tragedy, “And Beyond the Violence”, a hybrid theatre/cinema work which may one day transform into a radio work. Woodward invites people to come along and witness some of Canberra’s performers and theatre identities and international performers zooming in. At Smith’s Alternat
Rediscovering the joys of the job after a year of lost opportunities
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Touring used to be a huge part of Sophie Rowell’s life.
“It was just what I did,” says the Melbourne Symphony Orchestra concertmaster, whose career includes work as a soloist and chamber musician, in Australia and abroad.
Australian National Academy of Music head of strings and MSO concertmaster Sophie Rowell.
Credit:Eddie Jim
“I’d pack my suitcase and everything was ready to go. But now it’s a big event. It’s an absolute gift to be able to travel again. And to play again for an audience.”