Review: "The Australian Chamber Singers", directed by Dominic Harvey. Canberra Church of England Girls Grammar School Chapel, Saturday May 31 1997. Reviewed by Tony Magee

Carlo Gesualdo

Italian composer and murderer (both occupations emotionally interlinked), Don Carlo Gesualdo, is the subject of many a true and apocryphal tale. His musical output however, was certainly one of the high points of the late Italian Renaissance. 

The works of Gesualdo are rarely performed and this was a great opportunity to hear some sacred music from this composer known chiefly for his remarkable madrigals.

Dominic Harvey

The Tenebrae Responsaries for Holy Saturday which depict Christ's betrayal and death, were written for performance during Holy Week and the Canberra Chamber Singers under the direction of Dominic Harvey delivered a version of extreme beauty and passion, exploring the typical patterns of chromatic harmony with confidence and yet at the same time delicacy of tone to really bring out the full beauty and intensity of Gesualdo's harmonies.

When listening to this music, one hears sounds which seem almost 20th century in style and it's easy to see why Stravinsky was so fascinated by Gesualdo's music, being moved to orchestrate and complete some of his works.

A moving concert of lamentations and a luxurious opportunity to hear this excellent choir twice in one week (see CSO review).

Originally published in Muse Magazine (Canberra), July 1997

Article: What's on: Live Jazz in Canberra - July 1997

with Tony Magee


Hi and welcome to this new column featuring news of forthcoming jazz performances in Canberra!

The Canberra Southern Cross Club launched series two of A Motorcade of Jazz on Thursday 19th June with The Jim Latta Band and continues through July with some great concerts. On Thursday 3rd, The New Wolverines Jazz Orchestra will perform "vintage hot dance hits of the 20's and 30's". Twice guest performers at the Bix Beiderbecke Memorial Jazz Festival in Iowa, USA, the New Wolverines are a seven piece ensemble with many players doubling at least six horns. 

The Galapagos Duck are almost thirty years old. Formed in 1969, the group will be featured on the 17th July, with original member Willie Qua making his Canberra return debut on the night. The Duck's music draws on Latin, traditional, blues, bebop and modern themes to create their unique jazz sound.

Thursday 31st sees the return of the ever popular Tom Baker with his Chicago Six. Tom himself plays amongst other instruments trumpet, trombone and sax and together with his partners in crime will recreate sounds of the Chicago jazz era.

All shows for the Southern Cross Club Jazz series commence at 8.30pm. Bookings at the club on 283 7288.

Gypsy Bar and Brasserie will present Canberra based a capella vocal group The Idea Of North on Monday 7th July. The Idea of North formed in 1993 and their music includes Gospel, Gospel Jazz, Jazz and Spirituals. Many of the arrangements have been written by members of the group and their last concert at Tilleys Devine Cafe was a total sell-out. One not to be missed. Tickets at the door.

Nice to see Rydges City (ex Lakeside) sticking with live jazz every Saturday night for the dining and dancing pleasure of guests in the Burley Griffin Restaurant. The July program features The Ross Clarke Trio, Stuart Warner Trio and The John Black Trio - all Canberra based groups and providing an entertaining mix of 30's and 40's style swing, some Latin feels and elegant ballads. Requests no problem. Must book.

The Canberra Yacht Club begins a new venture on Thursday 3rd July and continuing every Thursday with jazz and cabaret legend Gery Scott and trio. Miss Scott's international career has seen her perform in twenty-six countries around the world and this year she celebrates fifty-five years in show business. Cruising with Gery in The Captain's Cabin will be featured in what is becoming a popular time-slot for many venues - happy hour: 5.30pm - 7.30pm. Drop in.

To be included in this column, please send your press releases to Tony Magee, PO Box 24, TORRENS ACT 2607 or fax on 290 0020 by 15th of the month prior to publication. 

Originally published in Muse Magazine (Canberra), July 1997

Review: "Canberra Symphony Orchestra 2nd Subscription Concert". Dene Olding, violin. Stephen Barlow conductor, with The Australian Chamber Singers. Llewellyn Hall, May 28 1997

Conductor Stephen Barlow with wife Joanna Lumley, 1986.
Photo courtesy Daily Mirror

by Tony Magee

For this series, the orchestra was under the direction of visiting English conductor Stephen Barlow, whose publicity photo by the way, is a dead ringer for Mikhail Baryshnikov, but whose appearance on the night, revealed a huge mop of lush dark hair which he used to great effect whilst conducting.

The concert opened with Dvorak's symphonic poem The Noon Day Witch - an interesting work particularly for it's recurrent featuring of the woodwinds, both as a section and as soloists. David Nuttall's oboe solos were particularly fine, displaying a warm, mellifluous tone.

The choral setting of Samuel Barber's Adagio for Strings (which actually started life as the slow movement to his String Quartet in B minor) followed in a beautiful performance by the Australian Chamber Singers, coupled with his Violin Concerto with soloist Dene Olding. Mr Olding played with sensitivity and beauty of tone and was extremely well supported by the orchestra with skilful control of dynamics and tempos from the conductor.

The second half of the concert revealed the world premiere of Bright Meniscus, a one movement symphonic essay commissioned by the CSO from Australian composer Gordon Kerry, which programises the Canberra landscape. This work was inspired by a poem by J.R. Rowlands. Barlow's realisation of this work seemed highly convincing as he swept the orchestra from moments of full auditory onslaught to silken strings shimmering like moonlight. Does that sound like Canberra? Well, I guess it could be many cities, but it's certainly flattering to think that someone felt moved to compose music about our city. Received with delight and thanks.

In keeping with the theme of music that depicts earthly concepts, Debussy's La Mer closed the concert. La Mer explores the ever changing moods of the sea and Barlow's realisation of this great work was evocative, sensual and at times frightening, as he took both orchestra and audience on a wonderland journey through oceans deep and mysterious. Really great stuff.

Originally published in Muse Magazine (Canberra), July 1997