Musica Viva Australia
Were it not for music, we might in these days say, the beautiful is dead.
BENJAMIN DISRAELI
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| Carl Vine |
It gives me great pleasure to present the 2009 National Concert Series, heralding some unprecedented concert experiences and treasured revisits.
In what will surely be the classical music event of the year, the world-renowned chamber orchestra Kremerata Baltica makes its debut in Australia, led by its founder, master violinist Gidon Kremer, making his welcome return after an absence of 23 years. Brand new brilliance also materialises in the form of Greek-Russian pianist, Katia Skanavi, and the Australian debut by multi-national UK-based Elias String Quartet.
Some cherished Viva regulars return in the form of the Tokyo String Quartet performing two programs of classical masterworks, while the Jerusalem Quartet is joined this year by another newcomer, good friend Israeli cellist Zvi Plesser. Always an audience favourite, cellist Steven Isserlis with pianist Dénes Varjon, presents a first for Musica Viva – a program consisting entirely of music by Robert Schumann, Steven’s favourite composer.
Australian soprano Miriam Allan last appeared for Musica Viva in the choir accompanying legendary singer Emma Kirkby, and returns as a virtuoso in her own right accompanied by the new Australian period music ensemble, Ironwood.
For the first time, Musica Viva’s Featured Composer will also be its Artistic Director. Since accepting the latter role I have been cautious about programming my own compositions for Musica Viva. Being as objective as possible, my chamber music catalogue wasn’t strong enough
for ‘Featured’ status until quite recently. Should this prove premature or misguided, we will all know whom to blame!
This is a mouth-watering feast. With the exceptional concentration of talent and content in 2009, we have set ourselves a new benchmark in musical inspiration.